Sebring 48 Hours Volunteering

article by Mark Johnson, Staff Writer

For most of the Porsche Club Racing world, the 48 Hours at Sebring is the “Top of the Mountain”, the premier event, the best that Porsche Club Racing has to offer. And why not? It is the first Club Race of the year, held immediately after the 24 Hours of Daytona IMSA race. It is held at Sebring International Raceway (SIR), arguably the most historic and storied endurance racing track in the United States. (Endurance racing started in the US at Sebring in 1952.) The 48 Hours event also attracts the largest crowd of racing Porsches, from all over the country. And it is all run and administered by volunteers, everyone is a Porsche Club of America member. You simply can’t get in without a PCA membership.

For over 25 years PCA members who like to drive their Porsche race cars have been coming to Sebring in early February to enjoy a break in the winter weather. It is a highly competitive club racing event. Gold Coast Region and Suncoast Region of PCA are the host Regions and provide the bulk of the volunteers who administer the event. Everything is managed by GCR or Suncoast folks, from mapping out the paddock for race team parking, to corner worker assistants, timing & scoring efforts, race control, traffic control, and grid marshal duties. There are no paid employees, so pulling off an event over 4+ days, with 300+ cars, and well over 1000 people we need a ton of volunteers.

At the center of it all are three key people. Paul Rabun is the Gold Coast online volunteer co-coordinator and Dave Herndon is the Suncoast volunteer co-coordinator for the event. Paul and Dave handle the online volunteer registration. When you sign up at 48hoursatsebring.com Paul and Dave collect and organize the registrations. The next key person is Mrs. Sherry Fabel. Sherry is the onsite coordinator for all volunteer activities once everyone arrives at the track. If you volunteer for the 48 Hours, your “CHECK IN WITH SHERRY” sticker is a key to your success.

Sherry has been at her volunteer check-in desk for nearly 15 years. The guys running the event from GCR, or Suncoast come to her if they have questions, as do the PCA National folks who attend the racing. Mrs. Fabel knows the job and the people front to back, back to front, left to right, back, and probably even inside out. Volunteer duties available are as follows: At Track Registration, Technical Inspection, Timing & Scoring, Race Control, Grid Marshal, Corner Worker Assistance, Traffic Control (a big and underappreciated responsibility), Goodie Store, and Track Tours for Charity.

Beyond getting everyone to the right location, at the right time, Mrs. Fabel and her team also coordinate all “ticket” activities. These ticketed sections include the lunches for the workers, Charity Track Tour tickets, volunteer t-shirt tickets, and basically any job which requires someone with long term knowledge, an enthusiastic demeanor, and a bit of school-teacher class control. Yes, even volunteers and racers can try to get away with a few gems but not under Ms. Sherry’s watchful eye.

Sherry understands that there is always a need for somebody – somewhere. She maintains the onsite personnel list and will direct waiting and willing volunteers where they are needed. With many years of 48 Hours experience, Sherry will keep the team focused and hustling so they all enjoy this crown jewel of club racing event.

Volunteer Registration is now

Open! Go to http://48hoursatsebring. com/home.php click on “volunteer” to get started. The Dates of the event

are February 2,3,4,5 2023

After online registration, you will receive instructions about your work assignments including a dress code. Please review the instructions and contact the volunteer team if you have a question. Just don’t forget to CHECK IN WITH SHERRY! Oh, and please check out at the end of your shift too…..

KEY 48 HOURS AT SEBRING VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

• At Track Registration (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday) Check in Racers & Crew • Timing & Scoring (T, F, Sat & Sun) In the tower at Start/Finish Line • Race Control (T, F, S, & S) – In the tower at Start/Finish Line • Technical Inspection (T, F, S, Ltd. S) – Outside in front of registration building • Grid Marshal (T, F, S, & S) – False Grid at West End of Paddock, coordinate car lineup • Goodie Store (T, F, S, & S) – Inside registration building (limited need) • Pit Marshal Observer (T, F, S, & S) – Assist PCA National Race

Observers in Hot Pit Area

• Corner Worker Assistant (T, F, S, & S) – At specific corner flag stations to assist professionals. • Traffic Control (T, F, S & S) – KEY POSITION for Safety of Drivers, Crew, and all Visitors • NOTE: All positions are needed, but many may be filled with experienced volunteers. A happy Solo DE Jockey

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Grid workers on break