For a third year straight, Road America plays host to Summit Racing Equipment SCCA® Road Racing’s pinnacle event, the 63rd Mission Foods SCCA National Championship Runoffs® happening Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026, in Wisconsin. The circuit, arguably one of the finest in North America, travels 4.048 miles and consists of 14 turns. Along that path are 16 flag stations staffed by SCCA Flagging & Communication Volunteers whose goal is to both help competitors and keep them safe.
Midway between The Kink and Canada Corner sits station 11b on driver’s right. Manning that station for more than 20 years is Bert Hultman, who has been a member of SCCA’s Milwaukee Region for more than three decades.
“I did about four years at corner 12, then I did about six years at corner 14 through 1999,” Hultman remembers. And now for 23 years, he has spent nearly every single day at 11b, practically making it his home.
Creating a Home Away from Home
What has become Hultman’s “spot” was originally overgrown with nettles, raspberry bushes, poison ivy, and plenty of mosquitos in spring, summer, and fall. The corner station at that time consisted of only a flag hole and portajohn, giving 11b the appearance of a hobo camp, according to Hultman.
What exists at 11b today was all designed and requested by Hultman. That includes the basic structure, a table, desk, scatter shield, mirror, rain gutter, and more. He set out to make 11b his office, with portable shade and flag holders to boot.
A retired electrical engineer, Hultman said it’s just his nature to analyze a situation and produce better ways to do things.
“As an engineer, I’m always looking at problems and trying to solve them,” he said. “I’m always thinking about stuff all the time.”
From Humble Beginnings
Hultman’s entry into motorsports started back in the 1980s when he was designing intake manifolds for Chevrolet Corvairs. To say he was a Corvair fan would be an understatement as he eventually ended up owning 10 of them. In fact, he still has one in his garage today.
“Jon Brakke was running at Road America, and I watched him race his car with my manifold conversions on it,” Hultman stated. “That got me involved with SCCA. One thing led to another, and next thing you know I became a member in 1994.
“Then I got introduced to some of the SCCA people … and they said, ‘you could actually work here and be on the corners instead of just being a spectator,’” Hultman continued. “So, I did that and got hooked.
“It was fun,” Hultman said about the new adventure. “Met some new people, and there were new opportunities to see something different.”
Upon retirement in 2002, Hultman decided to devote more time to working corners at tracks such as Blackhawk Farms Raceway, GingerMan Raceway, Grattan Raceway, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and more. But he spent loads of time at the world-renown circuit nearest to his home in Milwaukee. Eventually, Road America hired Hultman to work events throughout the year, which is why he is found at 11b almost every single day.
“I was retired, so I didn’t have to do anything else anymore,” Hultman said about his new career at America’s National Park of Speed. “It’s a great retirement job. I can just come up here and work at the track and enjoy things.
“I love it. I can’t ask for anything better. It’s great. I have my hobby, doing corner working and other stuff, and it doesn’t cost me any money. I make enough to cover my expenses, and that’s what I’m looking for.
“There’s always new stuff to do and things going on,” Hultman said in summation. “You never go to work if you’re doing something you enjoy doing.”
Getting Involved
SCCA is a Club and works hard to open up options for anyone who loves having #funwithcars. While drivers competing for Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing Program Championships are center stage this week at the Runoffs, there are hundreds of volunteers in action, too, taking advantage of a myriad of opportunities to be involved.
At any SCCA event anywhere in the country, there are countless members acting as motorsports artisans crafting an experience that ensures races run smoothly and safely. They also get up close to the action, often mingling with drivers and getting exceptional access to fantastic cars. SCCA members can be found in Registration, the Control Tower, Tech, on Grid, Flagging corners, and nearly everywhere else around a circuit.
Interested in learning more? Just walk up to an SCCA volunteer at any event and say “hello.” They’ll be happy to clue you in on how to get involved. A bunch more information can be found by clicking the link below.
Photo: Bert Hultman at home in corner station 11b at Road America
