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After meeting and visiting with Ray (Event Management & Logistics Worldwide) this weekend, I really want to encourage everyone to consider volunteering.
The form for volunteers, and to purchase event tickets can be found in the following .pdf file.
http://www.thecoloradokarter.com/RMAXforms.pdf
Let me know if you have any questions, or contact Ray directly….
Ray Verhelst
Director – Sales & Marketing
Event Management & Logistics Worldwide
6325 McLeod Dr., Suite 4
Las Vegas, NV 89120
US Toll-free 1-866-446-9916 Ext:103
Main +1-702-425-3583 Ext:103
cell – +1-702-545-5822
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.emlww.comI am curious as to why they would need volunteers “un-paid personel”? The entry fees for this event far exceed a Stars race, and if im not mistaken they bring in there paid help. Correct me if im wrong on this cause im not 100% sure on that.
Brian Moore
The Rotax Grand National is the culmination of the US series where state and regional level competitors earn their way to participate in the national event. The winners here not only earn the national title but they earn a fully expense paid trip to the Worlds. This year the world finals are in an amazing area just outside of Dubai, UAE.
As for the cost comparison, the Rotax fee includes the two sets of tires, fuel, oil, pit space, entry into the two functions and an extra day of practice. The combined cost of these items places it below the ala carte fees involved with the Stars program. I am no racer but I can add up the costs posted on the entry forms.
As the organizer for the non-race events, I can tell you that there is no busload of staff arriving from Rotax to take over the track. Marshall Martin, race director and Joe Ramos Jr., Program Director will be working with local track staff and technical people to make this a successful challenge. A core group from SSC Racing and Rotax people will be there to orchestrate this major event, but by no means will there be enough people to really support the needs of more than 1000 attendees.
From what we understand, this is the first time that a professional event organization has been brought in to handle such things as housing, event planning and the details of a successful karting event. As that company, we are the ones seeking volunteers. This is not for FREE heavy labor but to provide a locals information support and to make the hundreds of competitors who have never visited this track feel welcome and to answer their questions during the week of events. We will have a concierge tent in the pit that will provide attendees with local information, discounted tickets to attractions and even dinner reservations.
We want to make the move-in for more than 300 competitors as smooth as possible. The volunteers will be given an opportunity to show Colorado hospitality and to make these individuals feel so welcome that they will want to back again for another Grand National.
Volunteers will be given special shirts, full access credentials to the race and pits throughout the week and access to the two functions. If you are interested in making this an amazing event that karters will talk of for years to come then volunteer.
If you want them to recognize the Track at Centennial and the people who support it as one of the best in the west, then volunteer. If you would like to learn from other competitors what it took to make it to the nationals, volunteer and spend time at the event making friends. Volunteer if you want to see your face on TV as Altitude Networks will be producing a 2-hour special on karting and the Grand Nationals.
Because this is a race of competitors awarded their opportunity to go for a national title, the price is ill relevant if you are not one of them.
Volunteer only if you want to support your local karting community.[/b]
Ray,
I’m a big supporter of Rotax, have gone to Nationals the last three years, and I’m fine with your explanation of the need for volunteers. But since you’re the professional event organizer (a great idea, BTW, Rotax!), some truth in advertising is warranted. It’s a bit misleading to say that the entry fee…”includes the two sets of tires, fuel, oil, pit space, entry into the two functions and an extra day of practice.” The base fee includes ONE set of tires, and does not include pit space, nor does it cover the highly encouraged tent. In my own case, I think the entry fee came to $900 WITHOUT including the cost of the pit space or tent. (or rain tires). I’m not complaining (though that does feel like a hefty increase over past years), but I do think you should be stating the case accurately. I’ll leave it to the Stars racers to address the cost comparison question posed by Brian.
Joe,
Thank you for the clarification on the tires. My mistake in reading the column to the left on the order form. As for the pit fee, it does not mention this on the form so I was not aware of the specific cost of the space. We have been working with so many large groups that are combined into multiple spots the discussion of the cost of those spaces has not come up.Competitors have been participating in the Rotax Challenge events in their own states over the last 9 months and have made the commitment to see it through if they have earned the chance. While there might have been an increase over last year, I believe that it is still something of good value and the title and chance to go to the world championships is a real incentive.
As for the encouragement of the tent, there are a number of reasons the tent concept is being pushed, but the one that concerns me the most is that with the majority of the competitors coming from outside Colorado, they are not familiar with the strength of the sun, nor the rapid change in weather at 5800+ feet above sea level. The other is the safety of having a professionally secured tent that will sit within a few hundred feet of an active runway.
Finally, you are right, I do have a vested interest in making this successful but I am also about making this an event that everyone can be proud of. While there are costs associated with presenting a professional image, it is my opinion that elevating the sport of competitive karting through all of this media is well worth it.
Thanks again!
Just a quick note of what its costing to send a mini-max competitor that gets no trip overseas. $805 for his entry fee which does not include a pit space. I had to go in with a team since you need 1.5 racers for pit space. I still have not recieved a Rotax package since we signed up at the very first race. Yes I have contacted Joe Ramos about this, and still no package, but I can tell you that SSC had no lost time in charging the race to my credit card. “signed up saturday charged showed up on monday”. So I surely wouldn’t volunteer I would expect to get PAID!
Just my thoughts,
Brian MooreP.S. I do believe in showing hospitality and growing our karting but Im also smart enough to know when the profits should be spread around a little. This is not a charity race is it?
P.S.S. Im not a hater it will still be cheaper for us to race here than go to stars when you count in travel expenses. I feel more sorry for those travelling here and then getting hit with what I consider an overpriced event
forgot something and couldn’t see a way to edit my post. I didn’t cough up the extra $35 per person for the welcoming banquet, or the $20 for a bar-bq. If I would have done that it would have added up another $220 to the bill. Heck of a marketing plan though wish I was the one who thought of that.
hmm i was looking at the application, and it seemed as though that 16 years old is the youngest age that you can be to volunteer. I am 15 and i my dad and i would like to. So could i possible volunteer even though in 15? :idn:
Nicole,
We originally looked at setting the age at 16 to take into account being able to get to and from the track on your own. If you and your dad would like to volunteer we would be gald to have both of you. Go ahead and complete the form for each of you and add the note that we communicated on the forum.WOW……After reading some of these posts about the cost to run with the big dogs, being a bottom feeding club racer doesn’t look so bad! 😛
Just remember if you want to make a small fortune in racing, you must first start with a large fortune… 😯
Mikey “collecting aluminum cans so we can race” Edwards :cheers:
Mike,
I barter government cheese for tires and race entry fees. They no longer take it at the liquor store for martini fixings…
8)
Well, I just got laid off yesterday, looks like volunteering for the Grands may be a lot easier than I thought. On that note, it looks like my racing is done for awhile, too.
Anyone need a VoIP sys admin? I should have my resume done by this afternoon. This sucks.
sorry to hear that Kirk-welcome to my world. Karting takes a back seat when life gets in the way. Good luck finding a new job, j
Sorry to hear you got laid off. Im so used to it now that it seems like the norm. I have already collected nine different employers this year “fun at tax time”. Being laid off is actually a good thing if there are prospects for the future. You can practice on weekdays instead of weekend. A whole lot less karters. I got laid off yesterday as well. Son can now practice more for the grands.
Brian Moore
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