Free Admission to the races! Track-side view! Free Lunch! And get paid?!?

[Spiderman]

No, this is not a scam!

This is an invitation for you to come cornerwork the MRA races! Stand within feet of the track and get a "front-row" view of Colorado's fastest people on 2-wheels! No experience is necessary, as training is given each morning to any newcomers. Hotel reimbursement is available for out-of-town races (details below).

What exactly is cornerworking (& do I have to pick up bikes?)?
Cornerworking, in a nutshell, is a combination of ensuring the track is safe for all riders, and assisting riders who have crashed or had mechanical failures. This is accomplished through 2 separate roles that you can fulfill:

1. Flagger: a flagger stands ahead of the corner, and notifies bikes if there is anything in the upcoming corner they need to be careful for (i.e.: debris; bike/people; ambulance). A flagger's only job is to flag - they do not leave their post to pick up bikes or assist riders.
2. Runner: a runner's primary responsibility is to assist downed riders & mechanical failures, and when possible, remove debris from the track.

So, if you don't want to pick up bikes, you don't have to. If you do, and you're assigned to a corner with someone else who does, then you can coordinate trading duties with them. When staffing permits, there may also be a corner-captain, but often times the runner also fulfills this role.

Water & Gatorade is provided to help you stay hydrated. A free hot lunch is provided thru the on-site concessions.

Pay is as follows:

• Starting pay is $50 per day, plus a $10 bonus for each additional day worked (so a 3-day weekend would pay $50+$60+$70)
• After you work a total of 6 days (either: individually; as 3 weekends, or; a combination of the two), you get bumped up to Senior pay, I've just received clarification on this: To reward people who keep coming back year after year, anybody who worked more than half the races in the preceeding year is considered "Experienced" and will receive $75 per day (plus the $10 bonus for each additional day).

Hotel Reimbursement:
Since you are required to show up very early in the morning, hotel reimbursement is available for both Friday and Saturday night for out-of-town races (Pueblo; Hastings, PPIR; Hastings). You must work all of both days in order to qualify for reimbursement. Hotels are reimbursed up-to $45 per person, per night (if you share a room with another cornerworker, that can get you up-to a $90/night room - don't forget about taxes tho, so more realistically, closer to $80/night).

What time does it start? How long is the day?
Cornerworkers are asked to show up at 6:45 each morning. Saturday has the potential to run until 5PM, but may finish earlier. Sunday typically finishes around 4PM. The end of each day may be delayed by the number/severity of crashes.

Yes, it's a long day, but it's good for you (you're outside & you're on your feet - that's better for you than sitting on the couch! ), it's good for the MRA racers (without cornerworkers, they can't race!!), it's a great group of people, and during lunch & at the end of the day, you can walk thru the pits and talk to racers.

What to bring (and what NOT to bring)?

• First of all, DO NOT wear anything Yellow or Red (that includes your hat or gloves)
• White pants (blue jeans are acceptable) - NO SHORTS!
• White T-shirt (or mostly white) - long- or short-sleeve is up to you. After you work a few events, you will receive an official Corner Marshal shirt
• Comfortable shoes/boots - you'll be on your feet most of the day - NO SANDALS!
• Belt (or similar) to clip a radio to.
• Earplugs - in case you don't get a radio or don't get one of the big headsets
• Gloves to protect your hands while handling bikes. Leather work gloves are ideal for this.
• Hat & sunglasses to protect you from standing out in the sun all day.
• Sunscreen (SPF 30 or greater)
• Jacket and/or sweatshirt - it can be chilly in the mornings!
• Rain gear (just in case) - jacket/pants style preferred, and can also be used to help stay warm - NO RED OR YELLOW RAIN SUITS!!
  The MRA races in the rain at most tracks, and the corners tend to get muddy, so you also want to bring appropriate boots, and a change of clothes for the ride home.
• Food - even though lunch will be provided, you may want to bring your own snacks and/or a few dollars for the concession stand.
• Backpack or bucket and/or cooler - to carry your gear, drinks/food to/from your corner. Buckets (with lids) and coolers can be used as a seat to rest your legs/lower-back in-between races.
• Bring your friends along so they can cornerwork too!
• And finally, DO NOT wear anything Yellow or Red!!!

When/where are the races?
The first race of the 2009 season was this past weekend. Here is the schedule for the remainder of it:

• May 9th, 10th - Race #2 at High Plains Raceway
• May 23rd, 24th, 25th Race #3 & #4 at Motorsports Park Hastings (Saturday, Sunday, & Monday)
• June 6th, 7th - Race #5 at High Plains Raceway (this is a Special Event in conjunction with USGPRU 125GP by Pilot, 250GP by Moto Liberty/RS-Taichi, MD250h Powered by Honda)
• June 27th, 28th - Race #6 at Pueblo Motorsports Park
• July 11th, 12th - Race #7 at Pikes Peak International Raceway
• July 25th, 26th - Race #8 at High Plains Raceway
• Aug 8th, 9th - Race #9 at High Plains Raceway
• Aug 29th, 30th - Race #10 at High Plains Raceway
• Sept 19th, 20th Race #11 at Pikes Peak International Raceway

I'm in - how do I sign up?
You can sign up, even just a few days prior to any race weekend, using one of the following methods:

• Online in the "MRA Corner Marshals" section of the MRA forums (registration required) - this is also a good place to coordinate carpools to out-of-town races.
• By email to cornerworker@emaiko.com

Feel free to post questions here, I'll do my best to answer them, or get the answer if I don't know it.