Plenty of racing will occur this weekend during SCCA U.S. Majors Tour events at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows, California, and Hallett Motor Racing Circuit in Jennings, Oklahoma. SCCA.com will have all the coverage of both events, including live updates at www.scca.com/live. But before the action begins, let’s take a moment to focus on the people that make these events possible.
Nearly 220 volunteers have stepped up between Thunderhill and Hallett to make these U.S. Majors Tour events happen this weekend. These fun-loving, dedicated volunteers can be found organizing, registering, scoring, announcing, officiating and flagging during races. So what brings out these die-hard race fans to volunteer their time and skills? That was the question posed to a few Thunderhill workers Friday afternoon.
“I just love watching motorsports and love being at tracks,” said Bob Tousignant, a member of the San Francisco Region who flags corners during race weekends. “If you love motorsports, working a corner is the best seat in the house. It’s great to be near the action. It’s all fun.”
John Anderson, who has been with the SCCA for 20 years and is a grid worker with the San Francisco Region, said it’s not just being up close to the action that brings everyday people out to work events.
“Being with the people is what draws a lot of folks out to the track,” Anderson said. “Drivers, crew, the other grid workers, they’re all good people and we have a good time.”
Action and comradery are two big motives for people spending their free time playing with the Sports Car Club of America. But Barbara McClellan, a steward with the San Francisco Region, said there is another region-specific reason why so many volunteers appear for Thunderhill events.
“In the Region, we have a lot of pride for Thunderhill,” McClellan said. “This is our track. We built it, we own it. It’s a great track all around and people just enjoy being here.”
Racing at Thunderhill begins Saturday at 8am Pacific Time, and Hallett’s racing action gets rolling at 1pm Central Time. Keep abreast of all the action Saturday and Sunday with live coverage online at www.scca.com/live.
Photo: San Francisco Region members Bob Tousignant (front left), Karen Cook (left rear), Ian Cook (right rear) and Ronald Dent (right front) enjoy lunch in the sun while working at Thunderhill Raceway Park.
Credit: SCCA
