Course Working 101

At every Rallycross event, you will race part of the day and work on the course part of the day. This run-work format is what allows the sport to remain affordable and it is a great way for you to learn more about the sport. Extra bonus: You will get to know other racers during your work assignment!

This guide is designed to help you feel more comfortable and know how to work the course before you get out there. But first, it is important to understand what all the cones mean. If you haven’t already, read up on how to read rallycross cones.

Course Worker Responsibilities

Retrieving/Resetting Cones: When a driver hits a cone, it will need to be put back exactly where it was before the next car comes.

Reporting Penalties: Every time a driver hits a cone or misses a gate, it is tracked and they receive a time penalty. Each worker station has a captain that will radio penalties into timing/race control. When a driver hits a cone in your area, you will want to replace it then notify your captain of the penalty.

Course/Crowd Control: In order to keep spectators and competitors safe, anyone not working the course must remain 50 feet from the course. If you see people closer, you may tell them (nicely) to move to a safer area. Should you run into issues with people getting too close and not following instructions, ask your corner captain to radio into control. We will hold competition and make sure the course is safe.

Preparing for Course Working

Get Your Work Assignment: Most events will have a clipboard or work assignments posted and you can ask for it when you check in at registration in the morning. You can expect that your work assignment will just say a corner or com station, for example “COM 3” means that you will be at the 3rd station.

Walk Out to Course: When it is your work session, walk out to your station. There will be signs for each one. Keep in mind that you will be out there for a few hours so plan ahead. Depending on the weather, you will want to dress accordingly - boots and jackets for cold/wet day, hats and sunscreen for hot/sunny days. And always bring water out with you.

Meet Your Captain: Each corner station will have a captain who will be in charge of the radio and make sure the entire station is covered. Check in with them and plan how you and your corner mates will spread out and cover the area.

Coordinate: Work with those around you to make sure that you know where your area ends and the next station begins.

Take Inventory: Once you know what cones you are responsible for, take inventory of where they all are. Because Rallycross is in the dirt there isn’t a way to mark the location of each cone. Instead, you will need to evaluate where the cones are, how far apart they are (counting paces is a great way to do that) and which way they are pointing. Ask for help from one of the other workers if you need to!

Course work doesn’t have to feel like work! It is a great way to get out and meet the other competitors during the day. And as with every part of the race day, have fun!