You Get What You Pay For

As is the case for many of my editorials, I was reading a thread on Dirtdrivers.com. It started about an inquiry for photos from an event and as is the case for many threads on that site, went down another path.

In general, some fans voiced displeasure about updates and information on the track’s website, and general communication to the racers and fans.

Two of the track’s volunteers spoke up and took issue with the complaints directly with the people on the board.

Volunteering for a track is a labor of love - emphasis on the word “labor.”

Fire and rescue and tow crews earn free admission and a meal if anything. But if you break that down by hour - it borders on minimum wage at best and you can’t take a free hotdog to the bank. Push truck drivers get partial compensation, but it doesn't cover the expense long term. Event organizers for promos like Kid's Nights don't get a dime.

And there are many I’ve missed. These people give because they love the sport. Whether it’s the show itself, the chance to hang out with friends on the weekend or whatever reason they have, they do it because they want to - not for the money.

There’s a limit though. In many cases, you’re getting part time labor. You’re getting labor that has passion - but many times that passion is down the list behind family, their “day jobs,” their other hobbies and interests, the lawn that needs mowed....

For a time I volunteered for Civil Defense (now “Emergency Management”). We had a LOT of volunteers at the time.

I asked the head of the agency, a wise ex-police officer why we had so many on staff. He said that most volunteers burn out after three years, and the ones with the most passion - maybe seven. For the record, I lasted five.

It’s not like they don’t believe in the cause any longer - or that they don’t want to be there, but that fire is just a flicker now, or their outside life has changed to where they can’t commit the time, or many other reasons.

He also pointed out the obvious: you can’t schedule them for eight hours, like a police shift, or any other shift at work. Some had to be home early, others were uncomfortable being away from their family during emergencies, but wanted to help in other ways. Each could contribute, but only so much. It was ridiculous to expect them to commit in the same way they would their jobs.

And he pointed out another obvious fact: the level of service demanded by the public was high. Being late on the warning siren and blaming it on free labor was unacceptable. If it needed to be accomplished by two or three people, then that is why the volunteer force had to be so big.

Racetracks are a full-time business. It goes beyond just race night. There’s food to be ordered, bills to pay, facilities to clean, cash to count, results and points to be posted, driver and owner’s calls to take and on and on. It’s a hell of a lot of work.

During my tenure at Eagle, I was one of three full-time employees. It was my bread on the table day job, all year. We also had seasonal full-time help as well. During race season, as many as 5-6 people would work 40+ hours per week. During the off-season, it still kept two of us busy. One of my busiest times was prepping for the annual banquet - in December. It was a BIG expense. And let's face it...probably too big.

It’s ignorant to expect one volunteer to accomplish the work of a full time employee. It’s silly to for internet jockeys to make it personal. Instead of constantly criticizing, help out. Maybe pick up a trash bag after the show (or throwing your stuff away the first time). Maybe send a few bucks to the charity or promotional drive. Offer to type up the results. Do something. Even a little helps.

But to the tracks: it’s also silly for a racetrack to make their “tribe” (the fans, the drivers and all others who support your business) wait and to leave them hanging.

We live in a world where business relations are a 1-to-1 affair. Gone is the “voice on high” approach, commanding your customer to buy your product, and certainly gone is the “you’ll get it when you get it” mentality.

That doesn't mean you can't manage expectations. Nobody should ask that the race director take your call at 3AM because you happened to be up. Nor should the hotdog be ready six hours before the show. But once you ask for that grace period, you need to have it ready at the bell. Each time.

Belittling people for lack of patience isn’t the answer. Delivering is. It’s another expense, be it of money or time, but it is a new “fixed cost” in the racing world - as if it needs more.

Hats off to the volunteers. Because this sport needs as many as it can get.
-