Working a rally is a rewarding challenge that’s a lot of fun! You get to see the event up close and get to interact with the drivers and co-drivers. Plan to spend a day outside, and plan to drive your vehicle over smooth dirt roads. We like to provide our workers with goodies like T-Shirts and lunch. Your help is always appreciated by the competitors. There are two primary jobs at all rallies:
Controls & Timing – First time at an event? You should sign up for this.
Everyone starts here first! We’ll train you on what to do.
You will be assigned to a Stage Captain who will contact you directly.
You will be working with the time cards, starting rally cars, and timing finishes.
You will be outside in the weather so plan accordingly!
Bring sunscreen and extra clothing.
Communications - Do you have your Amateur Radio License?
You will be assigned to a Communications Captain who will contact you directly.
You will be communicating on the radio net, logging, and keeping track of cars.
You will be in or near your vehicle, and may be physically blocking access.
You will need a good 2m mobile radio with an external antenna.
A backup handheld is always a good idea. “Working Communications in a Nutshell”
Registration is now open! Please use the box below to sign up to volunteer for HDT:
Thanks in advance for helping out!
Useful documents for all workers:
2013 General Event Schedule – JUST POSTED!
Glossary of rally terms
Sample Time Cards
We need approximately 90-100 total volunteers for the 2013 High Desert Trails Rally. Update 4/29/13: We are now looking for approximately 5-8 volunteers for Saturday, May 4th! THANK YOU to everyone who has signed up to help out!!
We will be providing waters and lunch for all registered volunteers. As an additional incentive for participating as a volunteer for this year’s rally, we are also offering you a discounted entry at the brand new High Desert Trail Rallycross! For more information and to sign up for the rallycross, please visit the rallycross section of our website! (Please note that signing up as a volunteer, which you must do first, does not automatically enter you in the rallycross.)
At-Home Training for Time Control Workers
Below are the jobs that we needed filled for HDT, with each job followed by the approximate number of volunteers we will need for that position. We have updated this list to include detailed descriptions and “at home training” for most of these jobs (in PDF format). Please take the time to read these documents if you have any questions about positions you may like to volunteer for (please note that any times listed in these example documents are approximate).
Day BEFORE the event jobs:
Technical inspection/Scrutineer (1-3) ** (filled)
Course Set Up (Banners, Staking and Arrowing) (4-5) **
Competitor and/or Volunteer Registration (1-2) (filled)
** Requires experience, special skills or special equipment
Day OF the event jobs:
Timing Controls – Stage Start or Stage Finish Timing (20-30) (2-3 spots remaining)
Main Time Control worker (1-2)
Communications / Amateur Radio Operators (30-40) (2-3 spots remaining)
Net Control Amateur Radio Operator (2) ** (filled)
Road Blockage (Non-Ham) (4-5) (filled)
EMT (2-3) ** (filled)
Sweep Vehicle - (2) ** (filled)
Course Closing Car (1) (filled)
Scoring (2-4) (filled)
Sheriff (2) (filled)
Photographer (digital) (plus spotter) (2) (filled)
Spectator Area Captain/Marshals (2) (filled)
** Requires experience, special skills or special equipment
Jobs that require pre-event, as well as day of the event effort:
(Most of these will only require additional help on Friday day and/or evening before the rally)
Course Clean Up (will require post-event effort) (4-5)
Director of Volunteers (1) (filled)
Equipment Manager (1) (filled)
Communications Captain (1) ** (filled)
Timing Control Captains (4) ** (filled)
Chief of Emergency Services (1) ** (filled)
Competitor Relations Officer (1) ** (filled)
Service Area Steward (1) ** (filled)
** Requires experience, special skills or special equipment
Jobs that you will see on the sign-up form that we will NOT need this year:
Sales or tickets (filled)
Hospitality (filled)
Rally Information (filled)
Service or Fueling (filled)
Trophy Team (filled)
Disclaimer: Warning – Motor Sports is A Dangerous Activity! All workers MUST sign the event wavier to receive a wristband, which must be worn for the duration of the event.
Host Hotel Information
As of 4/20/2013: The Host Hotel is now full! The Hampton Inn and Suites Ridgecrest (located just across the street) is offering the same great rates!
Hampton Inn and Suites Ridgecrest
104 E. Sydnor Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
(760) 446-1968
For 2013 the Hampton Inn & Suites in Ridgecrest is offering an outstanding lodging rate for the High Desert Trails Rally. Clean, comfortable suites with extra amenities that can easily accommodate you and your rally crew. The Queen Suite has two queen beds and a full size pull-out bed, easily sleeping 6. Make sure to tell them how many guests you have (as this will not affect the room rate) they just want to have enough food for the full breakfast in the morning. Extra parking is available and large trailers can be parked on the street right behind the hotel. Check-in time is 3:00pm and Check-out time is 12 noon. Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance to avoid a penalty of one night’s room charge plus tax.
There are many additional hotels in Ridgecrest to choose from with rates ranging from $50-$150 per night.
SpringHill Suites Marriott
113 E. Sydnor Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
(760) 446-1630
Website for the SpringHill Suites
Additional Hotel Information
Vagabond Inn Ridgecrest
426 S. China Lake Blvd.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: (760) 375-2220
Website: Ridgecrest Hotel
Non-Smoking Double Bed: $46.00 + tax
Non-Smoking King Bed: $50.00 + tax
* Rates are for 1 or 2 adults per room
This year the Vagabond Inn in Ridgecrest has offered a discounted rate for competitors and volunteers! Please call the Vagabond Inn hotel directly at (760) 375-2220 and mention the rate code “CRSC” to receive this special discount.
