Since 1963, I have been involved in the “community” of motorsports. I have never received any pay, but I have benefited in mind, body and spirit by volunteering to help facilitate change in a sport that has become my life.
“Community” had been loosely attached to our sport for many years, but some wondered how that applied when many persons of that “community” were excluded from participating in the sport.
Webster says, “A community is a group of people with a common interest living and working together within a larger society.” He also writes, “A volunteer is a person who voluntarily, intentionally and willingly undertakes a service.”
With this in mind, I decided my mission was to help motorsports become a true community. This was a way for me to participate in a sport that my husband so passionately had chosen as his life’s vocation. It may not be as exciting as driving a race car, but it gave me and others a purpose — to help our motorsports community to be the best.
The evolution of auto racing in the past 50 years has been astounding. As for the feminine group of our community: We have, indeed, come a long way, baby! Now women are involved in every aspect of auto racing. Many have played such an essential role in this movement it would be impossible to revisit that story here.
Motor coaches are abundant at the race tracks and the comfort is that of small apartment living. Packing is manageable and air travel minimal. We have water and electricity. The entire family can literally be in the middle of the action and still be together. Thankfully, air conditioning and heating are available on demand. There is no more sitting on a scoring stand in freezing weather under blankets with hands so cold that recording lap times was impossible.
Charity has become very visible, with CARA charities leading the way for more than 25 years. Drivers and other entities have initiated charities that benefit many. Events to raise funds for different causes are at an all-time high, and the motorsports community has been very generous. Volunteers are the essential element for continuation of these charitable services.
Prior to every race, religious services are offered. Outstanding child care is available for racing’s little ones.
Communications is at a technical high at the race tracks we visit, with cable TV, high-speed Internet and telephone service at the ready. Everyone has access to mountains of auto-racing magazines (I know because I have to walk around the stacks in JR’s office), and we have our own newspaper — National Speed Sport News.
The medical team that travels to every race is second to none! They are available to the entire motorsports family. Lucky are we for their services. Safety has always been at the forefront of motorsports, and exceptional progress has occurred in the past 50 years.
We have the involvement of a plethora of workers and volunteers. We have rules and regulations, officials to pass out fines and penalties and we have the rich and the not-so-rich. We have lots of concrete and precious little grass. We have the happy and the unhappy. We have diversity and differences of opinion.
Is there progress? You bet there is. Are there problems? Oh, yes. Is this a viable community? Absolutely. All the elements are in place, all we need is to add a bit of humor and to be nice to Mother Nature.
The motorsports family and community is unique in offering the very best role models from all factions of its community. It blends individual and team efforts as no other sport does. Proudly, I will always search for better ways to solve problems and make this a better, more viable motorsports community for all. Please join me in this venture, and know that change and challenge are the constant companions of commitment and fully realize that there are no short cuts to any place worth going. Remember that lasting friendships are a perk of being involved in our motorsports community.
And, what about auto racing? “How do I love you? Let me count the ways” — I love that Firestone commercial. It says it all. Just as music is the universal language, auto racing might be the universal sports community. I hope so.