ChampCar Volunteers: Thanks for helping!

This printable guide explains what we provide, what you should bring, and how the pit lane roles work: Pit Marshal, Pit-In, and Pit-Out.

Jump to Roles

We provide Gear and support

  • Orange safety vest or shirt
  • Communication radio and spare battery
  • Headset, hand microphone, or earbuds (Motorola UHF/VHF radio type)
  • Track access wristband
  • Water or Gatorade and lunch (and dinner if it is a night race)

You bring Personal items

  • Comfortable shoes (tennis shoes, please; no sandals or open-toed shoes)
  • Sunscreen, hat, coat, gloves, rain gear (weather dependent)
  • Snacks if you choose (drinks and meals are provided)
Pit lane expectations: You will be constantly walking up and down pit road or working Pit-In or Pit-Out. Be prepared to stand or walk a lot.
  • Do not wear bright yellow or red.
  • Best choice is a white shirt.
  • Long pants are required, and no tank tops or sleeveless shirts on pit lane.
  • No sandals or open-toed shoes.

Roles on pit lane

Pit Marshal

Pit Marshals watch teams and cars during pit stops, including fuel stops, driver changes, and repairs. Your job is to observe, advise, and report via radio.

Core duties

  • Monitor cars entering and leaving pit lane and advise the Chief Steward of any car speeding (in excess of 20 mph) on pit lane.
  • Advise the Steward of any maneuver or action on pit lane that endangers anyone.
  • Repairs are allowed on pit road if the repair takes less than 30 minutes. For longer repairs, the car must be moved behind the pit wall or into the paddock or garage.
  • Do not stand closer than 15 feet to any car in for repairs or fueling.
  • Do not help the team with a pit stop in any way.
  • Do not approach any car during an emergency. Let emergency crews handle all issues.
Quick reminders
  • No smoking or vaping, and no alcohol anywhere on pit lane.
  • All persons over the wall must be at least 18 years old.
  • Minors under 18 may be on pit lane with parental supervision but must stay at least six feet from the pit lane wall.
  • Track rules sometimes restrict minors on pit lane. ChampCar staff will advise any age restrictions.
  • Listen to all radio communication. You may be asked to relay a message or penalty to a team.

Fueling rules (what you are watching for)

  • No work can be done on the car as soon as the gas cap comes off. This includes tires, tire pressure, opening the hood, cleaning the windshield, changing cool suit ice, and more. Work can resume when the gas cap is replaced.
  • No crew member is allowed over the wall until the race car has come to a complete stop on pit lane.
  • A team is allowed a maximum of five (5) people over the wall when fueling:
    • The fuel person
    • A fuel support or driver assist person
    • The current driver in the car
    • The new driver replacing the current driver
    • A person on the fire extinguisher
  • Driver changes are allowed when fueling. The new driver may assist the current driver out, and the current driver may assist the new driver in.
  • All people over the wall must be in full fire-proof driver gear, including a helmet with the visor down.
  • Non-driver crew in fire-proof gear over the wall must have racing gloves. Racing shoes are not required.
  • The fire extinguisher person must be 8 to 10 feet from the fuel cap, focused only on fueling, and in full fire-proof driver gear with helmet and gloves. Driver shoes are optional for non-driver crew.
  • Fueling must use a 5-gallon jug or the “Flo-Fast” mechanical fuel pump transfer system. No electric pumps and no 55-gallon drums for fueling.
  • 55-gallon must stay in the paddock. Teams will replenish their 5-Gallon dump cans in the paddock.
  • All fuel jugs must be DOT approved gasoline carriers and must stay on the cold side of the pit wall until after the car stops.
  • All cars must have a suitable plastic or metal catch pan under the car beneath the fuel spout during fueling. and bust have at least a 3" lip and hold more than a gallon of liquid.
  • If fuel is spilled, it must be cleaned with kitty litter or Oil-Dri and swept off the pavement.

Pit-In

Pit-In controls cars coming off track onto pit lane. Cars stop at a designated Pit-In station, often marked by a STOP SIGN.

  • Prepare 15 to 20 electronic timers (reset to 5 minutes) and have them ready for placement:
    • Place timer on the roof (6 to 12 inches above the driver’s door), or on the hood for convertibles.
    • Check timer before the car arrives: confirm it reads 5:00, press START, confirm countdown, then place it.
  • Monitor speed of incoming cars and be prepared to enforce the applicable pit road speed limit effective from the STOP sign.
  • Pit-In often operates as Black Flag. The Chief Steward may radio you:
    • Announce infractions and penalties to the driver being penalized.
    • Do not argue with any driver. Deliver the information and penalty given by the Steward.
    • Be ready to park up to 2 cars at your station while they work off penalties.
  • Monitor your end of pit road for pit crew infractions during stops. Notify a Pit Marshal if you see any.
  • Notify Pit-Out of cars passing through or re-entering track after penalties.
  • Radio Pit-Out when you are down to 15 to 20 timers (more will be brought to you).
  • Radio if you need a break. You will be relieved. Take necessary breaks and drink lots of liquids.
  • Always ask if you are unsure. We are here to make sure you have a great time.

Pit-Out

Pit-Out is the station with a second STOP SIGN before cars re-enter the track. Pit-Out confirms fuel stops meet the full 5-minute minimum and checks driver safety gear and car readiness.

Important timing rule: ChampCar times pit stops using electronic timers. If a car is re-fueled (even a splash-and-go), the car must stop on pit lane for a minimum of 5 minutes.

What Pit-Out checks

  • Monitor drivers for proper safety gear and cars for tech sticker and general safety appearance:
    • Proper helmet sticker, gloves, driver wristbands
    • Helmet and strap secure (with visor if car is not equipped with a windshield)
    • Head and neck restraint latched to helmet and secured under shoulder harness
    • Window nets are secure
    • Helmet clearance below the roll bar hoop
    • Correct ChampCar tech inspection decal on A-pillar roll cage bar
  • Coordinate with Pit-In and Pit Marshals to confirm which cars have fueled:
    • If the car fueled, ensure timer reads 0:00, then release the car (fuel stop must be at least 5 minutes).
    • If it was a driver change or repair with no fuel added, there is no time limit. Collect the timer and release.
    • Be aware of cars held for black flag penalties and cars off for repairs.
  • At night, check headlights and taillights before release:
    • No more than 4 front headlights
    • Minimum of 2 taillights and 2 working brake lights
  • You do not need to reset timers. They reset themselves in 60 seconds.
  • When you have a lot of timers, radio a Pit Marshal to deliver them to Pit-In.
  • Radio if you need a break. You will be relieved. Take necessary breaks and drink lots of liquids.
  • Always ask if you are unsure. We are here to make sure you have a great time.