Getting a racing license is an exciting and overwhelming opportunity! Every new racer has questions, many of them the same as others have had. This thread is meant to answer some of the more common ones. You CANNOT post here, but I will try and update this area with any new question I get that has not been addressed. For the most part the questions below should get you going!
HOW DO I GET A RACING LICENSE?
Attend the approved CMRA licensing school & receive a completion certificate.
IS THERE A SEPARATE FEE FOR THE CMRA LICENSING SCHOOL and the CMRA PROVISIONAL NOVICE RACING LICENSE?
YES. Once you get your School Certificate, you must apply for a CMRA Provisional Novice License either at the track or by mail/fax to the CMRA office. When you apply and pay your fees you will receive a PINK SLIP. This will be your PROV NOV TEMPORARY LICENSE. ALWAYS bring this to the track until you are a Licensed Novice as you will need the PINK SLIP to REGISTER for races and CORNER WORK. A copy of your school certificate is required at the time of application.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE A PROV NOV LICENSE TO CORNER WORK FOR MY REQUIREMENT?
YES. In order to keep an accurate record of who has completed the Corner Working and Racing portions of their requirement, the CMRA has to have a file of each racer. Each year many people take a racing class at the approved CMRA school who never intend to begin racing; they just want to become a better rider. The CMRA does not keep a record of those people. We only know who you are when you tell us. How do you tell us? Pay for a racing license.
OKAY...I HAVE TAKEN THE CMRA LICENSING SCHOOL...PAID FOR A CMRA LICENSE...NOW WHAT?
Now you need to schedule corner working. Every new racer has to corner work TWO days, one SATURDAY and one SUNDAY. When you schedule and whether you work both days together or separately is up to you.
DO I HAVE TO CORNER WORK BEFORE I CAN RACE?
NO. Your first weekend at the CMRA is your FREE weekend to CHOOSE what you do. If you want to race...race. If you want to work both of your days... work. If you want to work one day and race the other...that is your choice as well!
I HAVE HEARD THAT I HAVE 1 YEAR TO COMPLETE MY PROV NOV REQUIREMENTS. IS THAT TRUE?
YES and NO. From the date that you originally receive your school certificate, you have 1 YEAR to complete all of the CMRA requirements to obtain a Novice License. If you pass your anniversary date without satisfying those requirements you then must RE-TAKE the school. HOWEVER, this really only applies if you are NOT coming to the track. If you ARE coming to the track, your Corner Working must be completed in a TIMELY manner. I am fairly flexible with dates but be aware you CANNOT race TWO weekends in a row without having corner worked.
CAN I BRING SOMEONE TO WORK WITH ME TO SATISFY ONE OF MY REQUIRED DAYS?
NO. Each new racer MUST work both of their required days themselves. On occasion, the CMRA has allowed Prov Novs the ability to have a substitute work one of their days. This is not a normal practice and is only done at our discretion.
CAN I WORK TWO SATURDAYS OR TWO SUNDAYS INSTEAD OF ONE OF EACH?
NO...and sometimes. 99% of the time you are going to have to work both of your required days. I realize this will make you miss a race, but these are the rules, and everyone has to be treated fairly. Unless you are ACTIVE MILITARY or have an extremely unusual circumstance, there is almost no reason to ask.
I HAVE HEARD THAT WORKING A FRIDAY TRACKDAY WILL SATISFY ONE OF MY DAYS?
YES...BUT ONLY at Hallett. When the CMRA goes to Hallett we host a Friday open practice day, and so we need corner workers. At Hallett, I let you work on Friday to satisfy either your Saturday or Sunday. Whichever day is left will still have to be completed according to the rules. REMEMBER, this ONLY APPLIES to HALLETT. The CMRA does not run the trackdays at Texas tracks and so CMRA credit cannot be given for working one of those.
CAN I RACE ON THE DAY THAT I CORNER WORK?
NO. Corner working is an all day gig. We start before the sun comes up and we watch it go down!
HOW DO I SIGN UP TO CORNER WORK?
The good news is you are in the right place! Once you are done reading the Q&A Thread, back out and look for the thread for the NEXT RACE. Go into that thread and POST that you want to work this event, what day, and that you are a Prov Nov. That is it! I will respond to you directly in your post as soon as I get a chance. If you were able to post, you will likely have a spot.
I WANT TO SCHEDULE BOTH OF MY DAYS, BUT I CANNOT GET INTO ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE CURRENT RACE THREAD TO POST. WHY?
I only schedule ONE race at a time. A lot changes in our lives between races. You may not realize it now but the CORNER WORKERS are the Hinge Pin of the race day. Without YOU we cannot start the day. It is VERY important that everyone remembers to show up on the date they committed to. I have found you are less likely to forget if you schedule only for the upcoming event. I will UNLOCK the Next Event Thread the day after each Race.
OKAY...I AM SIGNED UP...WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
#1 - First of all, watch the WEATHER! And then plan for everything. We start early and go late and the weather can change drastically so bring what you need to be comfortable.
#2 - Dress accordingly. Shorts are fine, but no open toe shoes are allowed. Remember, you are probably going to be running and lifting so think about what you wear. Also, this is TEXAS and there may be ants!
#3 - Bring a cooler with snacks and drinks. It is a long day, and even though we feed you lunch, you may want a cola or some crackers. A little comfort food makes the day shorter!
#4 - Bring a CHAIR to sit in. Standing makes for a LONG day!
#5 - Pink Slip? Don't forget to bring this, I need it to give you credit! Don't know what a Pink Slip is? You have skipped some questions!
WHAT DOES THE CMRA PROVIDE?
Weekend gate pass, lunch, water, a canopy to sit under, and the best seat in the house!
WHAT TIME DO I NEED TO BE AT THE TRACK?
The front gate opens at 6:00am. I begin checking you in at 6:30am. Remember, signing up IS NOT signing in. I will hold your spot until 7:00am. Each track only has so many corners to fill. If you are late, and the corners are full, you may not get to work....So PLEASE be on time!
DO I HAVE TO PAY TO GET IN WHEN I AM CORNER WORKING?
At most tracks...NO. When you get to the front gate just tell the CMRA gate person you are a Corner Worker, they will mark your name off a list I have provided them, and you will get in for free for the weekend. When you go to Texas World Speedway however, be prepared to pay the TWS official to enter the track. It is usually $10. Your CMRA gate entry will still be free.
WHAT IF SOMETHING COMES UP AND I CANNOT MAKE IT?
Do everything you can to keep your commitment because the WHOLE club depends on the Corner Workers, but in the end, sometimes life just gets in the way. If you know you are not going to be at the track to work, let me know as soon as possible so I can fill your spot. If something happens last minute...No Worries!.....IF....you remember to cancel before the weekend is up. Just go to your POST and cancel just like you signed up. I will check them Monday. BUT...If you do not cancel and just do not show up...you could be fined!
What is the minimum age (minor) cut off to corner work? In the past it has been 16 yrs. Does this still stand to be the same for this year?
Where PN CW Requirements are concerned, if the new racer is under 16 years of age, they are not required to work. They may if they choose, and I advise one day.
The cutoff for everyone else is 16 years as well, but I do make exceptions based on maturity. Under 18 years always works with an adult.
Edited by Barry Nichols (02/03/09 10:09 AM)
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BOD 2002-2004
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