"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Running a Race

So my team is running our first race ever in conjunction with another team, also doing their first race ever...

I am not in charge or anything like that, but what are some of the things promoters often overlook, or what would you want to see at a race that usually isn't there.

Its a technical criterium, http://www.kyanaseries.com/race3.htm , and we will be offering a free mechanic. The club surrounding the other race team is very big, and has a lot of connections, so what are some of the things you would like to see happen at a crit that usually dont, or what do clubs frequently forget about when running a race?

Seeing as the race is on the Pope appointed replacement St. Paddies, beer a good idea?

Forgot to mention that there is on site showers and grocery store (its at a campground), which is definitely nice.

If the prizes for a race are schwag, make sure that the Cytomax and Clif Bars aren't 3 years expired.

yeah we already addressed that problem... a teammate offered his 16 month old peakbars... since they sponsor our team.

Tea and cake at the end. :)

Charity raffles and such before the awards are good fun - that way even the people who got dropped have a chance at winning something and provide yet another outlet for the overly-competetive nature that characterises many cyclists. And you can raise money for something meaningful at the same time.

If you don't have an ambulance loitering on site, let the local hospital know what you're up to. Even if this in no way alters the sort of service they'll provide to your broken riders, they'll appreciate the heads-up.

I think we have an emt on site, plus state park rangers. There are 2 really technical corners, so we might need them...

I really couldn't find a concise source on USAC site but this location http://americancyc.web152.discountasp.net/Info/Promoters/Default.aspx on the ACA site has a lot of useful info for promoters, including a simple check list and a more detailed promoter's handbook.
edit: I should add that who ever is in charge should be in contact with the Chief Referee as soon as possible. The CR should be able to answer most any question you have.

Yeah, I am not in charge, they have the ref's lined up and everything, I am just seeing if there was anything out there that would make a better race than most.

randomly, from my brain, right before I go to sleep (have to get up at 4:30 to go, would you believe, promote a race), some may apply, many may not.

marshals

along those lines, volunteers to work the race

figure out how many people you need. remember all of them will need a break for bathroom, food, etc.

keep 2 people with the money at all times, and move excess cash to a safe location (your locked car for example)

radios for marshals, plus you, plus registration, plus officials, plus cops

if it's sunny, chairs and umbrellas (sun). if it's rainy, same. if it's cold, same plus blankets. this for marshals around the course.

orange vests for marshals

cones to block off hydrants and other places not to park... reserve yourself a spot or two

wood signs (2x3 feet work) that you paint "Caution Bike Race" on.

wood covers for sewer grates

sweep the course of sand, debris, glass, etc - wheeled leaf blowers, brooms, shovels if you have heavy stuff

if there is a lot of glass in parking area, blow those too.

garbage bags and cans

apparently some companies are recycling their gel packs - so maybe one for them too

finish line camera and knowledge on how it's set up and used.

if you can post finish line film online (YouTube etc) I think people would get a kick out of it.

ditto any camcorder shots of the race

don't give out alcohol unless you're willing to pay for someone's injuries who gets hit by someone you gave beer

insurance coverage (as additionals) for everyone who might get sued - grocery store, camp ground (shower), property owners, town, you, team pres/etc, whoever else you can think of.

registration laptop or two, printer, etc.

spare registration laptop or two, printer, printer cartridges, paper, etc

black duct tape
white duct tape

the above two make a nice finish line if you aren't allowed to paint one - either white-black-white or black-white-black, use whatever you have more of for the outer color.

food/coffee for marshals, officials. this means GOOD food and coffee, not gross stuff.

announcer if you're allowed a PA system and you have an announcer who knows how to announce

if announcer, waterbottle primes - crowd pitches in coins/bills, unknown $ prime, usually results in huge prime ($50-200, depends on crowd)

call companies that do bars and such. we got 2000 pounds of drink mix just by asking.

use tracking software (google analytics?) on your site so you can track how many people visit your site. good for sponsors next year.

chiropractor with $10 mini sessions (or massage therapist etc)

kids race if appropriate

hope this helps,
cdr

Excellent list. I'd put our Volunteer Handbook up here but doubt anyone would want to read its 31 pages.

Thanks cdr, very helpful.

we are having juniors racing, plus we are technically not allowed to drink while wearing school colors, so i guess we shouldnt serve any alcohol.

from the sounds of it, i think we have most of that other stuff taken care of, so it should be a pretty good race!

anything 2wheelsports is involved in will be first class.

yeah that has been my experience thus far, though that is pretty limited... mike seems like a pretty awesome promoter.