American Racing News Vol 1, Issue 2 Issue 5 | Page 13

VOLUNTEERS MAKE RACING LIFE BETTER FOR DRIVERS AND FANS ALIKE
By Jeff Pappone | IndyCar PR

They may get little recognition outside a tight circle of
racing insiders, but every Verizon IndyCar Series fan
should take a minute to thank the volunteers who
ensure their sport is both safe and more enjoyable.
These unsung heroes are such an important part of
race weekend that drivers often take time out of their
busy schedules to ensure they give them a personal
thank you.
“These volunteers are amazing. They don't get paid
and it's not easiest work, either, because they are
sitting out in the hot sun or rain, and they are very
good at their jobs, so I have a lot of appreciation for
them,” said No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet
driver Will Power.
“When I was in Mid-Ohio last year, I went for a walk
and met a couple of corner workers who were staying
in motorhomes. They had also volunteered at the
Indianapolis 500, they'd been around the sport for
years and they knew the sport so well.”
There are two distinct sets of volunteers working at all
16 races on the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule.
First are the marshals who make sure the drivers and
fans stay safe during the race.
“You can't go racing without the corner workers and
safety crews — it's literally impossible,” said Kevin
Savoree, president of Green Savoree Racing Promotions that promotes the Honda Indy Toronto and two
other events on the schedule. “They just all have a

love of racing and take their role very seriously and
always do a great job.”
“We can never be thankful enough for these guys for
their efforts and hard work,” said Sebastien Bourdais,
driver of the No. 11 Team Hydroxycut-KVSH Racing
Chevrolet.
“All around the world in racing there couldn't be
events without the volunteers, and we rarely talk
about them but we should a little bit more because we
wouldn't be racing without them.”
The second important group is the 300 event volunteers and 25 team leads who help with off-track with
logistics, from managing car and foot traffic and helping fans find their seats to running the Honda Indy
Toronto's social media feeds during race weekend.
Those who volunteered at Exhibition Place lined up
weeks before the race and all the available spots were
filled about a month before the green flag flew. Some
are so dedicated that they spend their own money to
travel to more than one event and serve as volunteers.
“We have volunteers from events that go to different
ones,” said Savoree, whose group also promotes the
Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and The Honda
Indy 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports at Course.
“We have some folks from St. Pete who come up to
Toronto and vice-versa. They like to help the fans and
help people and make their experience better. We are
really blessed to have such great groups.”