Volunteering basics
What happens when you volunteer at a rally?
Rallies, by their nature, happen over huge swaths of land, often covering hundreds of square miles. There's no way to control this without a massive corps of volunteers. Here is your 60 second course on 'What do volunteers at a rally do?' And we would be remiss if we didn't remind you you can sign up to volunteer right now!
Marshal
Your task is to be on the stage road, at an intersection where a stage road meets a non-racing road. If a non-rally person drives up from the non-racing road, you let them know that the road is closed. Most of the time, you'll just be hanging out and watching the race.
What do I get to see?
You'll drive the stages and see high speed rally racing! (More training info...)
Marshal at a Spectator Area
Same as marshaling, only you also have to also have to be aware of the spectators that show up to watch. Sometimes, people ask to marshal a spectator area because they think that they view will be better, but keep in mind that spectator areas are usually chosen because it's possible to actually get to them from the main highways, not because they have the most awesome view. Marshaling non-spectator roads will be just as cool.
What do I get to see?
You'll drive the stages and see high speed rally racing! (More training info...)
Start Control
You'll be at the start of a stage, counting down the racers with "5 4 3 2 1 GO!". You get an official clock, and you'll write down the time that they start both on a time card that they carry with them, and on a clipboard that you have.
What do I get to see?
You'll drive the stages and see crazy launch control, gravel burnouts, and monster acceleration! (More training info...) (And more...)
Finish Control
You'll be at the end of a stage, timing when the racers cross the finish line. The person at the actual finish line uses a radio to talk to the folks a little further down the road, who then write the times on the time card and the clipboard.
What do I get to see?
You'll drive the stages and see high speed rally racing and glowing brake rotors! (More training info)
Service Area / Start / Finish
Cars will check in and out of these locations, and when they do, the time of day that they arrive or leave is recorded on their time cards.
What do I get to see?
You'll see the cars leave shiny and come back dirty for 20 minute transmission swaps, welding parts, mad fixing, and a flood of zip ties and duct tape!
Stage Captain
There isn't anything particularly complicated about being a Stage Captain, the main requirement is solid knowledge of how a rally operates. You scout your stage the day before the rally, being sure to find all the locations to put in signs and arrows, as well as putting up banner tape. You catch up the rest of your team at the volunteer meeting and explain to them where to meet the next morning, and how to be ready. On race day, you lead this volunteer group parade-style out to your stage, and then drive through the stage, depositing a marshal at each of the spots. Once through, loop around to the start and help at the start control. At the end you drive through and collect everyone and drive them back to civilization, and collect all the equipment. Additional capabilities required are being comfortable filling out log sheets, time cards, operating the rally clocks is needed, and general competency with a map. (More training...)
What do I get to see?
All the cars launching from the start, the whole stage, as well as an in-depth preview the day before, access to special planning meetings