I'm writing to ask for your help as a volunteer for the upcoming Rock Hill Bicycle Club Classic. If you are new to the club, the Classic is an exciting weekend of racing, something you will enjoy being part of. It is a three day bike race, taking place over the weekend of April 9, 10, and 11. This race has been going on for 30 years (the longest continuous running stage race in South Carolina). And brand new this year it got selected to be part of the Nature Valley Grand Prix, a nationwide race series that will bring even more professional racers to Rock Hill.
As a club, it is important that we continue to support this event. It would not have developed the reputation it has, or continued to be the success it has, without the volunteers. Volunteers are needed throughout the weekend, so whatever time you have available, there will be a way for you to help. Here is an explanation of the three days:
Friday Night Sprints: Taking place in downtown Rock Hill, the racers sprint down main street, with a finish line in front of the crowds downtown. This is a pretty intense thing to watch. The volunteer need is for bike holders. Each race consists of 6-8 riders, and each race goes off minutes apart. The volunteers hold the bikers upright at the start-line so the racer can get going much quicker when the gun goes off. A volunteer would work one of two shifts (something like 6:30-8 and 8-9:30), each shift going by pretty quick. Splitting the work gives you the opportunity to also spectate this event.
Saturday Road Race: Taking place out in Brattonsville and the surrounding back roads, the racers do a 50 mile loop. There are multiple races going on at one time, each starting a few minutes apart. Volunteers are used either as marshals at minor traffic intersections or as drivers leading the racers around the course. Each group of riders will be led by a lead vehicle and a police car. The marshall, equipped with a traffic vest and flag will simply warn any traffic to slow down and stop for the racers coming through. Depending on the intersection they are assigned, the volunteer will most likely be needed from around 9am to 3pm. Drivers will be needed from a little less than that. If you are limited, on time, only available early in the morning, or in the afternoon, still consider helping, there will also be a need for parking and other events throughout the day.
Sunday Criterium: The last event is all day out at Winthrop Lake. Groups of racers do multiple laps around Winthrop lake. This is a pretty exciting race to watch, especially at the tight-turn corners. Volunteers would be used in shifts, either a morning, afternoon, or late afternoon. Each shift lasting about 4 hours. The role of the volunteer in this event is simply to keep pedestrians off this closed course.
If you haven't been involved with the races before, it's actually a pretty fun time. All the volunteers will get trained for the job they are doing. There will be a handbook that explains the tasks. They'll also get a t-shirt and some food for their time.
The biggest need for volunteers is on Saturday, although any day you can help is most appreciated. Please contact me with your interest/availability. My contact info is: - email: scstuart@gmail.com - cell phone: 803 984 0496
Thanks, Stan Stuart Spring Races Volunteer Coordinator
Stan, I'm checking on a pace car for Sunday. Scott Morrison is coming back to help me drive the crit. We have done this since 1990. It gets tricky sometimes. So far we have avoided all mishaps which come close each year. It gets a little crazy out there. I pray for safety. p
I'd like to help on Friday night. I'd like to race on Sunday, but can help do anything needed when not racing. I'm undecided about racing on saturday...more later.
Thanks so much.. appreciate the replies and emails.
This'll be like an NPR fundraiser... It's an annoying necessity to see this post stuck at the top of the forum. But I promise that as sooon as we've. Got the bodies schedule, I will take it down. :) hopefully the response is good enough that I don't have to resort to home visits... ooh, maybe I could come up with some kind of matching program, like phyllis will take you for a joyride in whatever cool convertible she comes up with for the crit if you are the next volunteer for the roadrace. Sign up for two days and she will let you choose the radio station.
Stan... I got a Mitzubetichu(sp) convertiable. All the corvets were $60,000 + so they wouldn't loan me one of those. I make a good lead driver for the womens road race too if you want me for that. let me know p
i can help with the sprints and the road race. I have to leave to go back to school on Sunday, and will probably race my category then. Unless you have an early shift Sunday.
Stan, I've lead the Pro multiple times as well as the womens. Really just give me a short race... a one lapper is fine with me. Wes will be my wheel truck.
Stan, How is the marshal recruitment coming? After I drive a race I will be willing to go back out and relieve someone at a corner to give them a break. I know the monotany of all these jobs, I'm happy to do relief work.
Mike, thanks, will use you as a wheel truck if that's ok. Haven't had any interest there.
Dr. Eric, thanks for confirming, have even bigger plans for you! Besides finish line marshal and doctor, we also need a liason for the officials. More details coming on that one...
Hey Phyllis, it's ok. There really are a lot of people out of town for that weekend. But I'm working on Plans B & C. The tri club will likely help. And we're trying something a little new this year with a few service organizations at Winthrop. The club membership will still come through, it's not truly last-minute yet...
Sticking with the NPR fundraiser analogy, it's good to see the phones ringing, I really appreciate the offers to help. Thanks for those of you have stepped up. For those that are still on the fence, come on over. Volunteering will really make you feel a part of something bigger. This is a big year for the race. 30 years, Nature Valley.
Race registration starting to pick up. We've had commitments from several big teams and folks are already signing up for overall OMNIUM and for the RR segment. Here they come!!!