Name: Roger Bailey
Official Position: Clerk of the Course
Years working in Speedway: 12
Home track: Baypark Speedway
How did you get into Speedway
Part of a career move originally and then stayed a volunteer for 10 years
Have you worked at other tracks or been involved in other Speedways in New Zealand
Not in speedway but I am a Motorsport NZ Clerk of the Course for Rallying.
What does the role mean exactly tell us about the job
The CoTC role is more about time keeping ensuring the night is planned to run on time plus dealing with what the racing throws at us to ensure we finish within our curfew.
If someone was interested in your role, what is the best way for them to get started
Get involved with a time critical sport. Mine was car rallying where if you turned up 1 second late for check in, a whole minute was added onto your next stage time before you had even started the stage. One soon learnt that being late was not an option.
What do you love about Speedway
Cars racing wheel to wheel on a loose surface where one wrong move can have a domino effect on the field running close by.
What do you think of the changes made to Baypark Speedway since the new promotion started
There are a number of positive changes but the change that has been closest to me is the promotion trusting Rodney Wood and his team of helpers with the track preparation and the commitment from all to see this work. The track condition and ongoing maintenance plan during the night is an integral part of our pre race briefing on each race night. There are numerous factors affecting track preparation and how the surface holds up on a race night. Our eyes around the facility are encouraged to report what they are seeing on track condition as much as they are expected to report on racing incidents. What we have seen last season is that a better track leads to better racing.
What would you like to see changed or added to Baypark Speedway
Increase the race night curfew to 10.30 pm.
Have you won any awards for your role in Speedway
No.
Do you have a favorite class or driver
Sprint Cars and Super Saloons. Favorite young driver is Luke McClymont.
Do you have involvement in any other sports
I have retired from most other sports due to business commitments.
Is there anyone in the speedway that you look up to
Bruce Robinson. Being responsible for a number of tracks would not be easy.
Do you have any final words you would like to say
At Baypark we are blessed with having one of the better facilities in NZ. That alone attracts our critics when things do not go as planned. Behind the big stadium, large concrete pits complete with reticulated services we have normal people running a normal speedway as you would at most other tracks. I encourage all to judge us on the racing we deliver and do not get distracted with the facility we are lucky enough to operate from.