CORNER CAPTAIN DUTIES

As a Corner Captain, you have duties different than the rest of the cone-runners. You should remain in your general location with the radio and red flag, observing the goings-on of your corner, and working with an assistant to ensure accurate recording of penalties. Responsibilities include:

  • Introduce and instruct workers | As the workers come out to begin their assignments, be sure to instruct them in their very important duties as outlined below. If needed, provide them a copy of the sheet so that they can read it before their assignment begins. You, of course, should already be familiar with the rules on the following sheet.
  • Placement of workers | Send the workers out to specific locations around the corner. Remind them to always look to you to indicate any penalties, and to be sure they know how to do so. If you see them daydreaming or moving too slowly, you must get their attention and be sure they pay attention and move quickly.
  • Stopping for downed cones | If a driver encounters a cone that is out of place, or perhaps a corner worker is in their way, they have the option to stop and request a re-run. It is your duty to acknowledge whether this driver is making the correct move, and to report it to Timing and Scoring. Tell the driver to hurry along so they don’t impact the car behind them. (Speaking of which – watch out for the following car … they may get too close to this current car.)
  • Red flags | It is your responsibility to wave the red flag if you need to stop a car. Be sure to only do so if absolutely necessary … such as if they are getting too close to the car ahead.
  • Radio communications | Be sure to check that your radio is working when you arrive at your corner. Each time you speak with T&S, use this format; “Corner X to Timing”. Once they acknowledge you with “Go ahead Corner X”, then indicate your message, such as “55 ESP, 2 cones”. T&S will then acknowledge you again.
  • Extra pylons | Be sure to have extra cones (lying on their sides) in convenient spots in case you need to replace a cone that a car has dragged away. You will want to instruct the other workers of this as well.
  • Fire extinguisher | Keep this handy in case you need to use it. Never open the hood of a car … direct the extinguisher underneath the engine and wheel wells.

 

CORNER CAPTAIN’S ASSISTANT

The assistant is responsible for logging the penalties on the cone sheet. As they see each car pass the corner, they will log the car number. If there are any penalties, they will record the number of cones. The next time around the course, they will not need to log the car number again … just the proper number of cones or DNF.

The assistant should also help with observing the other workers and being sure that things are proceeding safely, smoothly, and accurately.

 

CORNER WORKER DUTIES

SAFETY

Safety is of utmost importance during all autocross activities. Working on course should not be taken lightly. Here are a few basic guidelines to help work safely.

  • Workers should be positioned in locations where they can clearly see all cars coming and going.
  • Workers must quickly pick up and replaced downed cones. The workers must realize that they will need to run in order to do so. Cars pass roughly every 20 to 30 seconds. If there is not time to do so safely, wait until after the next car has passed.
  • Cell phones, cameras, other devices must not be in use by workers.
  • Workers must stand at all times… no sitting down on the job!

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

The main focus of corner working is to monitor the cars as they proceed along the course, noting whether they collect any cone penalties or run off course, and keeping the course consistent for subsequent drivers. Take this task very seriously… you will want corner workers to do the same for you as they watch your run.

  • Familiarize yourself with your corner | The course is broken up into several corners. You must be clear where your area of responsibility starts and ends.
  • Watch correct course path | Watch the general path of the car to be sure it follows the course on the correct side of the cones. A DNF (Did Not Finish) is charged only is part of the course is omitted. A run is not a DNF if any part of the car hits any part of the marker defining the course. A car may pass outside of the chalk lines, but must drive along the proper side of the cone. The chalk is only there to help visualize the course.
  • Watch for downed cones | you should observe behind the car to see if a cone has been hit. Watch the cones, not the cars!
  • Cone penalty | use the ‘Down or Out” rule. If the cone has been knocked down, or if it has been nudged completely out of its chalk box, then a penalty results. If a cone remains upright and is still within or touches any part of the box, it is not a penalty.
  • Pointer cones | If a cone is laid out on its side as a directional indicator for drivers, it does not count as a penalty if it is hit.

HOW TO REPORT

  • Once you quickly put the cones back in their correct spot (but be sure to place them accurately), look towards the Corner Captain and indicate to him/her how many cones collected a penalty.
  • Hold up fingers for the number of cones and yell the number out to him. If there is no penalty, cross your arms back and forth across each other below the waist (like an umpire signaling ‘safe’).
  • If a car omits part of the course, signal the DNF by crossing both arms above your head.
  • Return to your position quickly.