By Ric Federau, Contributing Writer
Many times people ask the question. When do you start preparing for the I-500? The answer is immediately after the last race is completed. That’s right. Over five decades of racing, the I-500 has grown to the point where we have to work all year round now.
This isn’t simply a seasonal sport. As you read this article keep in mind the I-500 is the ONLY professional race in the world operated by volunteers who aren’t paid for their efforts. Five decades of dedicated volunteers now work year round to make this event possible and what it is today. So let’s take a look at some behind-the-scenes committee work that happens during the off months as we prepare for the next I-500 week-long series of events and the unselfish commitment from the many volunteers who are true race fans and community minded people. This isn’t limited to the individuals who volunteer. It also includes the volunteering of local businesses willing to help in any way possible. This true collaboration of year-round work pays tribute to the history of I-500 volunteerism at the SOO.
It’s time for me to share some of the “OFF-SEASON” volunteer efforts most I-500 followers know nothing about. It starts with the Board of Directors. Each of the nine I-500 Directors is assigned committee work. The committees developed are the life-line of the event. Every committee is equally important to the project. Each committee recruits volunteers to assist with its work and objectives. So we’ve established that the I-500 is a project where every committee is essential to each race and it’s not limited to volunteering for one week of racing.
It’s a year-round plan that considers what projects can be accomplished in various weather conditions, how much time each project will take, volunteer scheduling, and so on. The planning is actually endless, starting from the end of the previous race in February until the “green flag” drops on the first Saturday in February each new year. Let’s look closer at some examples of the Standing committees mandated to ensure the event’s success.
Let’s start with “Race Logistics.” One example of many is partnering with the I-500 Race committee to enhance various aspects of what works and what doesn’t from the drivers’ perspective. One thing the I-500 management does in this regard is The I-500 management team schedules a “Spring Drivers” meeting. During the off-season, race teams travel to the SOO to attend this meeting, which allows them and the drivers to share thoughts on how the I-500 can improve the racing experience for everyone. In addition, if teams have information they want to share that wasn’t discussed at the “Spring Meeting,” they can contact our race liaison who represents I-500 management side of things. This committee also works hand-in-hand with the community during the off season regarding venue work, etc.
Promotion, Media, Public Relations, Sponsorships, Non-Race activities: Obviously, these areas of committee work are never-ending. An example is the I-500 “Summer Tour” project. Visiting auto race venues is part of a plan to bridge summer and winter racing thus giving race fans year-round race information and the opportunity to learn more about Oval Ice Endurance Racing. This committee also includes the I-500 Social media production. Traveling to do interviews, meetings with potential sponsors, planning parade attendance, and other scheduled events around the state during the summer months.
Building and Grounds: This committee gets little rest. You can imagine the time and effort required to maintain the venue grounds and buildings during the off-season. Mowing the whole venue is a major undertaking and takes a lot of man-hours. It also includes maintaining the equipment needed for the work, vehicle maintenance, shaping the track, ensuring each building is maintained and performing any necessary repairs. Any additions and overall general maintentance of buildings, grounds and more. Again, keep in mind the element of “Mother Natureru” which means scheduling the work within a short window of a few months before the weather prevents certain tasks from being done. There is a time-line for everything the grounds and building crew must consider.
Track and Pit Area: Volunteers spend hundreds of hours mowing the track and ensuring the pit area is well maintained. This committee and its volunteers work hard to maintain clear track boundaries. This includes maintaining the fencing around the track, mowing the track, and ensuring the entry chutes for sleds getting onto the track and entering pit row are ready. This includes replacing any underground wiring that needs it and installing safety lighting. Basically, any aspect of maintaining the track area and pit row along with other track related work is done through this committee. Like other committees’ work, getting work done while weather conditions allow is critical. There’s no time to waste and it doesn’t stop when the leaves fall, it’s all done right UP to race day the first Saturday in February.
Security, Medical, Emergency Facilities & Safety: During the off season, Security measures are reviewed. Meetings are scheduled with I-500 representation, law enforcement, medical teams, and emergency services. I-500 committee members meet to review safety standards. The committee volunteers are scheduled to help maintain the various security stations, scheduling times for any needed work to be done for improvements and betterments that enhance every aspect of safety, security, and medical needs throughout the year at the I-500 venue.
Information and Technology: This committee hardly gets any sleep during the summer months. They are always working at the track making improvements or updating our many systems. Be it wiring changes at the track, P.A. system work, camera staging areas, internet services work, ensuring all communication equipment is up to par and this list goes on and on. Making certain ALL technological equipment is ready before harsh weather conditions arrive.
Food Services: During the off-season, the volunteers working with this committee contact and visit the many local businesses who so kindly feed our volunteers year-round. Local food businesses donate food for volunteers working at the track. This committee will schedule food donations for the volunteers working at the track. Food scheduling covers both summer and winter volunteering efforts. During the off season, it’s important to ensure volunteers are fed. The same is done anytime people volunteer for the I-500.
V.I.P. Committee: Meeting during the summer months and researching and planning to ensure our V.I.P. Sponsors and hot seat guests experience first-class hospitality during their visit. Improvements and enhancements are made during the off-season so everything is in order when race week arrives.
Race Committee: During the off-season, track officials travel to get trained and certified as I-500 track officials. Countless hours are put into making this event the safest race possible. Rule changes are made during off-season. Basically, volunteers put in incredible hours on this committee. They meet year-round, discussing and physically making changes at the track to ensure it is SAFE.
Miss I-500 Committee: Volunteers and members of the Miss I-500 Pageant committee work year-round to promote the I-500. During the “off-season,” you can find these people promoting and volunteering in so many different ways. Be it attending various parades or helping our military by attending and hosting fund-raising activities, this committee travels and donates a ton of time and effort to make I-500 public relations a success. Representing the project throughout the State of Michigan. They work trade shows and help with the I-500 Summer Tour project promoting this outstanding event.
For now…. I’ve shared some of the “ Off-Season” activities and objectives put into making this event all it can be. So as you can see, there’s a lot more going on during the “ Off-Season” at the I-500. It’s truly a year-round project. There’s no end to the planning and work to be done each year in order to host the world’s toughest, fastest, longest and most exciting snowmobile endurance race bar none!
The I-500 is unlike any other professional race due to the unique aspect of being hosted, managed and maintained by volunteers. Historically, this is the backbone of the project that sets it apart from any other professional sport.
Now YOU know the rest of the story…. To learn more about the I-500 and to become a part of our I-500 family of volunteers, contact us at: www.i-500.com.
Till next time, we’re off to the races this off-season promoting the sport and I-500 during our Summer Tour.Race ’n doesn’t stop when the leaves fall….. “It’s all left turns from here!” •