As a crew member you are as involved as the driver, without the glory and fame. You do it for the love of the sport, crewing is no occupation, there’s no payroll. But you do it anyway. And when your driver does well or maybe even wins, you’re there watching, and you know that you played a part in the success. All your time and effort hasn’t gone to waste and it was worth it. Some say that’s better than being on the payroll. As much as speedway’s an individual sport it’s a team sport behind the scenes. As the saying goes, 80% of the race is won in the workshop.

The ideal team or crew has many key positions. Starting at the top of the ladder is the Crew Chief, they’re often the Car Owner as well. Next steps down include an Electrician, Driver Trainer and Engine Builder. All the way down to the tail of authority where at least two labour monkeys scurry around obeying orders at the click of a finger. Lucky for them they get the best jobs, like tightening nuts, and cleaning. All members kitted out in crew shirts, uniting the team as one. Although you can’t go past the key female which occupies every crew. Because behind every great man or crew is a woman rolling her eyes.

The drivers have their battles on the track and the crews have their own battles in the pit. Teams compete even down to the minute things, like being first on the dummy grid or having the spotless car, before and after the dreaded wet track experience of warm-up. So wet you almost need to tighten your shoelaces when entering, to ensure they don’t remove themselves whilst running infield, putting you in hospital after catching a stray wheel over the ankle amid retrieving the all important footwear.

When it comes to it, being part of a race crew is really being part of a family. You stick up for one another just like family would. You are faithful to your driver. When he crashes, it’s never his fault. And if someone else dare approach your driver with fists clenched, he must go through the crew first. Which generally spits them out like cold mince meat, back to where they came from. Summing up a crewman’s philosophy is best done in the words of the great Dave Dobbin, “Call Me Loyal”.

S.W. Tales

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