Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 10:37:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: kit
To: New England Area Race List
Subject: Re: [near] More Cornerworkers...

On Mon, 9 Jul 2001, Tony Iannarelli wrote:

> Let's face it, the racing stops without Cornerworkers... they are a
> critical part of a successful weekend and should be compensated
> accordingly.

Well, the thing is... we *are* compensated. We wouldn't do it if it wasn't
rewarding, and we do get enough money to pay expenses for getting there,
some food, free gate fee, and if we're frugal, we might get a race out of
it as well. But I have to say that money isn't the thing that gets me out
there time after time.

I make a really good living at my day job. But even if I got paid that
ridiculous high tech salary to do what I do on the race track, it wouldn't
be enough.  There isn't a dollar value that I can set on my life or the
lives of my friends who are out there with me. NO money is worth the
danger and stress of corner working. And there isn't enough money in the
world to pay for the therapy one needs after seeing friends in the
condition we sometimes see them in after days like Saturday.

But corner working is no different, in that respect, than racing. And we
all love racing, or we wouldn't be having this conversation. And like
racing, corner working is FUN. And it's educational. And it's challenging.
It's hard work, and long hours, but it's satisfying in ways that just
hanging around in the pits between races isn't. The rewards *are* worth
the risks. It's just that money isn't the reward.

If more racers would come join us, though, they'd *know* all this. They'd
have a great time, learn a lot about the track, become part of the
extended family of the track officials, and maybe be pleasantly surprised
at the bit of cash they take home at the end of the weekend.

What Ed McFarland said has a lot of merit. There has been a shift in
perception over the years that club racing is a service that gets paid
for, and that service should come with corner workers and safety. But it's
just not like that. We have to take responsibility for our actions, commit
totally to our own safety, and contribute to our club, or this whole thing
doesn't work.

Kit

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