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:
- 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.
- 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 $75 per day
- 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 $100 per 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 and PPIR). 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?
Here is the schedule for 2014
- 5/10 - 5/11 Round 1 HPR Full Course
- 5/31 - 6/1 Round 2 HPR Full Course/4-Hour Endurance
- 6/21 - 6/22 Round 3 Pueblo
- 7/19 - 7/20 Round 4 PPIR
- 8/9 - 8/10 Round 5 HPR - North Course
- 8/23 - 8/24 Round 6 HPR - Full Course
- 9/13 - 9/14 Round 7 PPIR
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 - http://forums.mra-racing.org/forumdi...orner-Marshals (registration required) - this is also a good place to coordinate carpools to out-of-town races.
- By email to cjmagnuss@gmail.com