Every entrant at an autocross is required to work for at least one run group, and the majority of them will work as course workers. Their primary job is to run and pick up downed cones on the course, but their responsibilities do not end there!

• Bring with you when you head out:
  • A bottle of water. Two if it’s hot!
  • Sunscreen, preferably already applied to your skin.
• Prior to the course going hot, ensure the following:
  • Enough workers present at station. (normally two)
  • Ensure fire extinguisher is present and serviceable.
  • Have a red flag present, unrolled, but furled and in-hand.
  • Have a radio present, tested and in-hand.
  • One worker should handle both the flag and the radio, additional workers will be cone-setters.
• While on station:
  • Orange vest recommended, especially for those who are setting cones, but not required.
  • NO sitting or leaning.
  • NO cell phone use.
  • NO picture or video taking.
• Monitor every car for fallen OR displaced (wiggled) cones. Watch behind the car as it passes to be sure you don’t miss anything.
  • Ensure the course is clear prior to running out to reset a cone.
    • Ensure cars on course will not cross your path.
    • Ensure you have sufficient time prior to next car passing.
    • If necessary, call in “hold start” until all cones are up-righted.
    • It is not necessary to red flag the car on course for downed cones that you don’t have time to get to unless so many cones are down that the course cannot be correctly followed. That driver has the option to stop and get a rerun, and you’re going to call those cones against the driver them, anyway.
    • It is absolutely not necessary to red flag the course every time you have to run out to reset a cone or two. There will always be 25-30 seconds or more between cars. That’s enough time to reset several cones.
• When resetting fallen cones.
  • The person monitoring the radio and the flag will ensure it’s clear to proceed.
  • “Hustle” is of the utmost importance!
    • When running out on course to reset cones:
      • RUN, don’t walk, to the fallen cones.
      • Reset the cone fully in the box.
      • RUN directly to the edge of the course or your work station, whichever is closer. (your goal is to quickly get out of harm’s way, THEN get back to your station)
  • The person on the radio and with the flag will monitor the movement of the person fixing the cone(s) while on course to ensure the safety of the person(s) fixing the fallen cones. (Watch each other backs!)
• Monitor all cars for any safety issues observed, report to timing trailer.
  • Open doors, trunks, hoods.
  • Unfastened safety belts.
  • Limbs outside of vehicle.
  • Smoke/steam.
  • Leaking fluids.
• Communication:
  • Mentally note the number and/or description of each car as it approaches your station.
  • Radio in any cone penalties or safety issues to the timing crew promptly.
  • The radios do not transmit immediately when you press the talk button, give them a second before you start speaking.
  • Speak clearly and distinctly, but do not yell.
  • Always give the car number or make/model/color of the car.
  • Listen for acknowledgement. If your call is not acknowledged by timing, either ask if they got it, or repeat the call.