Corner Working Poll for the new Year.

[Pete Millikin]

Kim-

I, like Carl, prefer the voulunteer aspect of autox as an introductory event designed to encourage participation and teaching. That said, I'd pay the extra for CW if the club goes that way.

I think the biggest problem with volunteer CWs is the disincentive for the instructors. They are a large group and instructing takes up their entire day.

I like your thoughts on insrtuctors not doing the full CW shift with a student. Is it possible to relieve the early risers and instructors from corner working completely? This assumes instructors teach CW to the student and then come in. I'm not sure if this would deplete the volunteer ranks too much.

[Kim Crosser]

The challenge has historically been in the White and Red run groups. Typically, there are a lot of White/Red instructors who show up early and/or are involved in running the AX (announcing, timing, safety, start/finish, etc.).

On the larger tracks, we often need 10 corner workers plus someone on the gate (=11 workers/session). If we shrink the number of corner workers, then some poor soul is going to be covering a few acres of track.

After subtracting everyone who helps out with the event, we rarely have more than 6-8 persons left in the Red run group, which is why you hear the semi-frantic calls for everyone to show up. White isn't usually as bad, but we are often short by 1-2 persons there if we exempt everyone who worked early.

We make every attempt to exempt people who help with the AX, but we cannot run if there aren't enough workers to safely staff the corners.

There are some things we can try -

* Distribute instructors more evenly through three groups (Orange, White, Red) so that there are fewer instructors assigned per group.
* Increase the size of the White and Red groups (from other groups) so that there are sufficient workers after "exemptions".
* Bring instructors off the corner working sessions mid-way through the student training sessions.
* Realign the schedule of the sessions (see the other thread on improving the corner working process itself) to minimize overlaps between driving and corner working.

With a combination of the above, I am hopeful we will make corner working a bit easier for everyone (including myself) in 2005.

Also, remember that instructing a student in corner working should only be required for true "newbies". Instructors don't have to go out with students who have worked corners previously.

[gulf911]

Suggestion to resolve this issue -

1. Treasurer and AX Chair (2004 or 2005?) determine expected cost of paid corner workers per event and what registration fee adjustment would be required to cover the costs.
2. Post a different survey on the forum -
"Would you be willing to pay $xx more per AX to use paid corner workers?". Allow a reasonable time for inputs (2 weeks?).
3. If the response in favor is above <xx>% (Board/AX Chair sets the threshold), then we should try it. I think this needs to be at least 66%, and maybe 75-80%.

Kim,
Using the forum is not a full representation of ax'ers. To be more accurate we would have to ask the question at an ax or 2 to see where we are at.

[rss996]

I voted for not going with paid cornerworkers...I actually enjoy it and learn alot as well.

After some more thought a couple of things came to mind.

1. Increase the fee $5 and have them without more $ strain to the club.

2. Where can you go and have a day like this for $40?????

This club puts on a great event and it is very cheap to attend.

Either way I feel the AX will be fun whether I have to corner work or not!

Robert