Start Line

1. Description

The start line is probably the most critical area of Speed Week. The team of Start Line officials control when entrants are permitted to make their run. There are separate start lines for tracks 1 and 2.

To volunteer for this job use the Volunteer Register.

 

2. Responsibility

Starter Track 1:

Assistant 1 - Track 1: Undertake start line safety check

Assistant 2 - Track 1: Undertake start line safety check

Assistant 3 - Track 1: Position vehicles at start line

Assistant 4 - Track 1: Position vehicles at start line

 

Starter Track 2

Assistant 1 - Track 2: Undertake start line safety check

Assistant 2 - Track 2: Undertake start line safety check

Assistant 3 - Track 2: Position vehicles at start line

 

Wrangler - Keep spectators out of start line area and behind the fence

 

Fire Marshal - Respond to incidents at the start line and refueling areas.

 

3. Duties

 

3.1 Volunteer Instructions

On the day of your duty, you report direct to Start Line.

Make sure you sign the Volunteers Book next to your name.

The morning session is from 7.30am to about 12.00 noon.

The afternoon session starts at about 1.00pm till 6.00pm or close of business on that day.

You must be ready to start your shift at these times.

Make sure you have a hat, sunglasses, sun cream, snacks. Water is provided from the esky at the Starters Van and there are portable toilets through out the pits.

Please read this information about avoiding Dehydration and recognising Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke.

 

3. Tasks

3.1 Set Up

At the beginning of Speed Week collect all equipment from the storage containers at the DLRA camp. The Starters van will already be towed to the start line, final position is up to the Chief Starter.
The shade structures will be erected by a separate group of volunteers and take direction from the Chief Starter as to their location.
The Fire and Rescue crew will deliver and place the fire extinguishers.

The timing team will set up the data communications for the timing van.
The Chief Starter will need to collect the generator, UHF radios and headphones, pens and clipboards from Registration.

The Chief Starter and his assistants and volunteers are responsible for preparation of the start line, they will lay all tarps, erect spectator fencing as per the start line layout map.

3.2 During the event

  • Chief Starter
    The Chief Starter instructs the entrant when it is safe to make their run. They will be in constant contact with the Timing Van and the Fire and Rescue Crews via the UHF Radio.
    The typical sequence of events is;
    • The Starter will confirm with the entrant the status of their run.
      It will usually be a "QUALIFYING RUN", or a "RECORD RUN".
      It may be a "LICENCING RUN" for entrants attempting the next level of their license. For entrants driving cars attempting their 175mph license it will be a "LICENCING RUN with PARACHUTE PULL"
      For rookies or first timers, it will be their "ROOKIE RUN".
    • The Timing and Northern and Southern Rescue will confirm "TRACK CLEAR".
    • The Timing will ask for the details of the vehicle on the start line. The Starter will look at the Technical Inspected Sticker and quote the entry number and give run details..
    • Timing will confirm that they are ready.
    • The Starter will direct the entrant to "GO"

  • Assistants 1 and 2
    The assistants work at the direction of the Chief Starter, but need to perform their tasks unsupervised. They may or may not have access to UHF radios.
    Your role is to perform final safety checks of entrants and vehicles in the staging area.
    For cars this includes;
    • Check technical inspection sticker is affixed
    • Check valve caps on all wheels, (must be metal caps)
    • Safety belts – clamp down, (must not be able to force hand between belt and body)
    • Helmet strap secure, (barely room for finger between strap and chin)
    • Wrist restraints, (check mounting and wrist fit, not required if safety net fitted)
    • Neck brace, (required for vehicles with speeds over 125 MPH)
    • Racing suit / overalls, (fastened and zipped to neck)
    • Fire extinguishers, (check safety release pins removed)
    • Parachute pins, (check safety pin removed)
    • Gloves, (on)
    • Helmet visor, (down)
    • Windows, (Up)
    • Doors, (shut tightly)
    • Driver, all clear to go

For motorcycles this includes
  • At staging line, (fuel on)
  • Helmet strap secure (barely room for finger between strap and chin)
  • Zip on Leathers, (Pulled up to top of jacket, neck clip fastened)
  • Boots, (fastened)
  • Kill switch, (lanyard connected)
  • Gloves on, (fastened)
  • Helmet, (visor down or goggles on)

  • Assistants 3 and 4
    The assistants work at the direction of the Chief Starter, but need to perform their tasks unsupervised. Your role is to ensure that the group of vehicles that arrive from Pre-Stage are queued up and ready to go and make sure they move up in the queue. For Start Line 1 this includes directing entrant tender vehicles to their dedicated lane.
    You will also be monitoring that entrants are not performing any refueling or maintenance tasks and if they are direct them the the refueling area.
    You will also take the pre-entry list from the first arriving entrant in each group and hand it to the timing data entry person in the caravan.

  • Wrangler
    The main duty for the Wrangler at the start line is to keep spectators and other non-authorized people behind the fence and out of the queue, staging and start area. The only exception is for media. The only people permitted in the start line area must be wearing their entrant, pit crew, or media wrist band.

  • Fire Marshal
    The fire marshal will respond to incidents at the start lines and refueling area. They are to ensure that extinguishers are provided in these locations. They will be accredited in the use of type A, B and C fire extinguishers.

  • 3.3 Pack Up

    At the conclusion of Speed Week all equipment is to be collected, packed away and returned to the storage containers at the DLRA camp

     

    4. Equipment

    5. Escalation