[NvHam] Ham radio operators URGENTLY needed!

[John Bigley]

Dear Fellow Ham:
 
This is an URGENT REQUEST for ham radio communicators.  There are less than 10 days remaining before the scheduled running of the Goldrush Classic Challenge race in Eureka, NV., and Nevada Department of Transportation officials will not allow this race to operate without communications over the entire course of the race.
 
In the past, we ham operators have provided the critical communications necessary for the safety and sometimes rescue, of the race participants.  This year declining health has forced many of the Amateurs, including long-time coordinator Lee Shram to the side-lines.  Resulting in a serious shortage of ham volunteers.
 
Eliot Kushner WD6FXX and myself are trying to step in at the eleventh hour in an attempt to locate enough ham radio personnel to staff both this event, which is located near Eureka, NV.  on Sunday Sept, 14th. and the Silver State Classic which is located near Ely, NV. the following Sunday, Sept. 21st.  
 
The Goldrush race (Sept 14th) requires 8 hams as of today we have zero volunteers.  The Silver State Classic race (Sept 21st) requires 22 ham communicators as of today we have 9 volunteers.
 
If you know a little about rural Nevada, then you are probably aware of the economic plight of our neighbors in these communities.   The participants in the Silver State Classic Races pump many thousands of dollars into these little towns during "Speed Week".  The Silver State races are non-profit community events.
 
What exactly are we asking you to do?
 
Since both of these races are held on rural highways running through Nye, White Pine, and Lincoln counties you may need to drive 100 or more miles to the race course.  Once there you would man a check point, Starting Line, Finish Line, or pit area.  Just prior to the start of the race, you would travel between your checkpoint and the check point just before yours and "sweep the course' making sure the roadway is clear of any vehicles, obstructions, ect.. additionally you will be checking to see that all gates are either attended by a volunteer or securely locked.  Upon commencement of the race, you will keep a log of the vehicles as they leave the starting line.  You will communicate track conditions, emergency situations (sadly the race has experienced driver fatalities in the past), relay information from the Gate keepers, you will display caution and other race control flags, you will provide communications support to the race aircraft as well as directing ambulance and helicopter
 crews to any situation.  The race official in charge at your check-point-is YOU.  Time required: outside of your transit time,  you would need to be at the course by 5 AM (Sheriffs and NHP close the highways to all traffic at this time), the races are run in the morning and generally are completed by mid-day.
 
What is in it for us as Ham Operators?
 
Okay, here are the tangibles.  First, the Silver State  organizers will re-imburse you for your fuel costs in traveling to the race course.  If you have ever provided support communications for any kind of community event you know that hams take their pay in t-shirts, and these races are the same, you will get a nice Race Staff shirt, along with a sharp looking matching ball cap.  As a ham operator you are invited to all the race functions, including: the Media Luncheon at Sam's Town Casino-Las Vegas, the Shelby American plant tour, the receptions in Eureka and Ely, the awards banquets at Sam's Town, the parades, car shows, caravans, bar-b-que, etc. and of course you are the invited guest of the Race Directors.  You can get all the info on the races and the events at www.sscc.us 
 
Here are the intangibles:  Both the Ely and Eureka area's are perfect day-trip getaway spots.  Visit the Eureka Opera House.  Camping, fishing, and outdoor activities abound.  In the past, hams with campers, motor homes. ect have gotten together for the weekend, had a fish-fry or two while stringing some wires and working HF the night before the race.
 
You get to see the races....these are closed courses No Spectators!  The only way to see these races are to be part of the Race Staff!  These races are the fastest open-road races in the world.  This near the Japanese are looking to break the World Speed Record at this race.
 
Here is my wife's Liz's (KD7RIN) favorite spiff, regular race participant John Schneider of "The Dukes of Hazard" fame, driving the famous "General Lee" always waves to each ham and gives you a cheerful blast of "Dixie" from the "Generals" horn as they speed by your checkpoint.
 
The bottom line is that our neighbors need the revenue these races bring to their communities. However, the State of Nevada will not allow these races to be run without communications coverage.  We as ham radio operators through are past performance have prov-en to be the only reliable technology available for protecting these racers.  
 
Can we meet the challenge?  To volunteer or for more information please contact me at John Bigley N7UR@yahoo.com  phone:702-644-7126 cell:702-812-1957 or Eliot Kushner eliotk@cox.net 702-896-5630
 
73 and I hope to see you at the races,
 
John Bigley-N7UR
Ham Radio Co-coordinator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



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