From: mcculley@racy.zko.dec.com (Bruce McCulley)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport
Subject: Re: SCCA flagging, whites
Date: 15 Apr 92 03:48:46 GMT
Reply-To: mcculley@racy.zko.dec.com (Bruce McCulley)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation


In some article, kevinc@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (kevin.j.coulter) writes:
> welty@balltown.cma.com (richard welty) writes:
> >i'm planning to start working corners at some SCCA events this summer,
> >{...} i have no idea what a good source of proper clothing for corner
> >working is; can any of the flaggers out there give me a pointer?

> Welcome to the land of f/c! 

DITTO!

> White shirts - Tshirts are fine. At some pro races you get them. As
>	       long as there isn't a lot of yellow on them you're ok.

I'll quibble that anything with short sleeves is *NOT* fine.

At least once or twice, long sleeves have saved me from flash burns or
scalds.  Even light cotton (recycled dress shirts) sleeves will protect
somewhat from flash burns, not quite so much against steam but even
milliseconds may give you the chance to react enough to keep
first-degree burns from being second-degree!  (That's the voice of
experience speaking, heed it!!!!)

Also, avoid synthetic materials.  There's nothing that ruins your
day quite like having molten burning polyester stuck to your skin...

> 2 pr Gym Shoes - for when 1 pair gets wet

or one serious pair of boots.  I wore out a pair of Browning sportsmen's
boots flagging, but it took almost twenty years to do it.  Best part
was, they were heavy enough to make planting one very solidly on the
posterior of a recalcitrant spectator one of the most enjoyable
experiences of my life!  They were sufficient to protect against wet and
cold in the worst weather Watkins Glen could offer, for money much
better than any gym or tennis shoes.

Careful about the gym or tennis shoes, they may not protect your feet as
well against some of the really adverse worst case scenarios.  Another
alternative to consider would be steel toed work shoes or boots.

> Rope / strap - for wrestling with those formula cars

I consider this optional.  In twenty years I've never felt it was a
necessity, and only once or twice saw it as useful.  There is usually a
rope in the NER station kits, and other folks on station often have
their own.  So I have never missed it (although I did carry one for
awhiule when I first started, when I lost it there was insufficient
motivation to replace it).

> Aspirin/Antacids/Small First Aid Kit

Also optional, in my experience.  I don't get headaches or upset
stomaches, so I'm no help to those who do.  My approach to minor
first-aid on station is the same as off station, it's either sufficient
to merit better attention than I can give, or it's not worth worrying
about.

> Rain Suit (top and bottoms) - Kmart $4.97 clear ones work fine. Buy 2

buy more than two.  Consider these consumables, they have a very limited
life once first used.  It seems the UV degrades them, or the
plasticizers outgas from the vinyl, or something.  Carry several, you'll
be popular with less well-equipped station mates.

> GCR'S

aw, come on!  Who's got time to practice law on station?

If you do, you should be a Steward's Helper In Training (referred to by
acronym :-).

> Scanner

I believe NER has banned scanners from station, because they were
distracting folks from the job at hand.  I am not absolutely certain of
this, but I know it was at least discussed as a problem.

For the same reason, I am very much against cameras on station.

> Binoculars - if you have a small cheap pair, these are useful for
>             looking  for debris on the track.

Careful not to let the temptation to spectate through them become a
distraction from the business at hand!


> I always go over my checklist of stuff before each race weekend in case
> I've lost something.

After twenty years, I've gotten to the point where I don't worry about
it.  I've almost never seen an event that would turn away a willing and
competent worker for inadequate equipment complement.  My track gear
lives in the track bag, it goes to the track that way and it comes home
that way.  The stuff that might fall out is insignificant, and I carry
spares of *everything*.

I would add to the list Kevin provided a campstool or some such, and a
hat that will shade your face if not more of your head.  Also consider a
towel or two, to soak in icewater for cooling yourself on hot days.

Don't forget sunglasses (not sure if Kevin listed them or not).


> Any other info that I could provide, lemme know.

Ditto.  Hope to see you around the track, maybe LRP for the early May
national in a few weeks?  That's always a great event to start the
season!



--bruce mcculley