The South Australian Motor Racing Officials Association (SAMROA) is on the hunt for a new wave of volunteers as South Australian circuit racing enters a new era of motor sport.
For years, the state’s only major racetrack was in Mallala - which was the home of South Australia’s state championships and grassroots circuit racing.
At the start of 2018, The Bend Motorsport Park opened its doors with a world-class international circuit, as well as a shortened and defined local track for domestic competition and local track days.
As a result of the new circuit’s opening, the state has begun to cement itself as a top destination for the national stage, hosting rounds for both the Shannons Nationals and Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.
However, with The Bend joining Mallala and more events heading to South Australia, the need for more officials has become important for both circuits to be viable and for events to run smoothly.
While some may believe that it takes something special to inspire someone to become a CAMS official, SAMROA president Steve Lewis believes the motivation to becoming an official is the same for everyone.
“The story for a lot of our officials is the same. At heart, they are all passionate motor sport fans,” Lewis said.
“They grew up watching motor sport on television or spectating at the circuit just like everyone else, until they saw those officials on the corner of a track so close to the action, helping them catch the bug.
“Knowing they can be right there track side communicating through flags to the drivers or feeding information via radio to Race Control was the main inspiration for a lot of our officials.
“With two big race tracks now in operation, as well as the return of Supercars and the Shannons Nationals – it’s certainly exciting times for our officials and the perfect time to join up as a new one.”
Since SAMROA formed in 1978, the association now provides officials to every circuit event in the state including high profile events such as the OTR SuperSprint and Shannons Nationals at Tailem Bend, the Superloop Adelaide 500 and even the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
While every state contributes to the growing number of officials registered with CAMS, Lewis believes South Australia’s group are up there with the best.
“SAMROA prides itself on its training as we have some of the best national and international officials around,” Lewis added.
“We teach in all areas so our officials are very versatile.
“The training doesn’t stop track side, because from time to time our Training and Competition Committee organise training days at places like the CAMS head office where we have both a serious but fun filled day with course presenters.
“SAMROA has developed into a group of competent officials who are well respected in the motor sport community and we look forward to having new members join our growing family.”
The Bend Motorsport Park’s next event is the Shannons Nationals on 12-14 July as South Australians get a taste for the brand new carsales TCR Australia Series.
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