In competitions, how are the spotters compensated?
Is there something that's standard?

Spotting is kind of a thankless job. If the team does well, the driver gets most of the credit. If the team sucks, it's easy to blame the spotter!

althought i voted for the combination, i'd also take into consideration how far they drove and what not... for the flat rate... if you drove and they just rode, i might adjust it...

I think it would also depend on whose vehicle it is, and what amount of work and/or money was contributed to getting the vehicle to the point where it could actually compete and "win" a competition.

the deal i made with my driver, [i am spotting for my own rig]. is
i told him if he paid half the entry, he would get half the winnings. if he paid 10% of the entry he would get 10% of the winnings.
i felt like it was a very fair deal. i would not have a problem with it as a driver or a spotter. mike

I get my hotel, meals, drinks paid for, plus I get 50% of event winnings. All contingency money goes back to the rig, and tow rig/trailer/quad payments. I'm happy, he's happy. :p

Originally posted by Lance
I get my hotel, meals, drinks paid for, plus I get 50% of event winnings. All contingency money goes back to the rig, and tow rig/trailer/quad payments. I'm happy, he's happy. :p

If there is no contingency money, it looks like it's more profitable to be a spotter! :D

I think you did it the right way in crusas John, with the exception of the soi powerbars for lunch. A little something from the winnings to make it worth the work, but the driver has more invested.

Eric Filar

When I spot for Walker he pays for the hotel, food and drinks. He gets all the winnings. I am just happy to be involved! It's such a thrill to do well!

I personally think they should get away from having spotters in the unlimited class.This is suppose to be the best rigs and drivers right.If they can't do the course with out help they get pointed out.This would raise the level of driving skill needed.
Otherwise the spotter should be compensated fairly.It is a team sport.And in the legend class the spotter does alot of work!I spotted in the Kremmling and worked my but off!Blazin:D

Originally posted by blazin
I personally think they should get away from having spotters in the unlimited class.

I agree, if there are different classes. Something like, Legends, pro-modified, and unlimited.

They all run the same course. Legends uses frame, suspension, and tire size limitations. With handicapped scoring(15 points for winch, longer time limits). Pro-modified runs the current RCAA scoring, and vehicle restrictions. Unlimited same scoring as pro-modified, without the rear steer penalty. Anything goes vehicle wise, but no spotter.

right down the middle, 50-50...

Not to change the subject but are there contracts signed between driver/spotter?

I have never competed but a good spotter even on a trail ride is a blessing. ;)

I haven't been involved in the rockcrawling aspect of things, but I have done enough in the late model stock car circuit to have formed an opinion.

Like Chris said, sometimes just being part of something grandios is worth it, especially in the beginning. But sooner or later, that will wear off. ...been there, done that.

No matter how much of a buddy the driver is or how juicy the steak he buys you is, the fact of the matter is ... money talks. At some point, a spotter (or in my case as a member of a pit crew) will end up sinking hours and hours of their own personal time into the team plus gas money, time away from family, time away from a job, etc.

While there are plenty of guys out there willing to volunteer their time for free, I have noticed (in the racecar scene) that like anything else in life, you get what you pay for. I see a lot of teams with strong drivers, but crews that don't have a full set of teeth or half a brain amongst them.

cmk

Originally posted by blazin
I personally think they should get away from having spotters in the unlimited class.This is suppose to be the best rigs and drivers right.If they can't do the course with out help they get pointed out.This would raise the level of driving skill needed.


I agree, I don't think there should be spotters in any of the classes. Make the trails a tad easier and do away with the spotter alltogether. I think the sport would be safer that way.

I would have to agree with some of the things that have been said. But after watching the Pro-Rocks event I would have to say that there would be no way that someone could have made it through the course in the time slots that they allow. I would think that the time would have to be lengthed if they were going to remove the spotters from the comp.

I like the idea of no spotters. Even though they are a tremendous help, it would make going to events a lot easier.
Back when there was one event a year it was not hard to get off work and ask a buddy to spot just for the "glory". But now it is just another (one of many) event. The glory is waning. It's difficult to spend hours of prep. and money on a rig I've already spent a lot of money on, take another week of work off and then... ask a quallified spotter to also take time off work. He needs to be compensated, which makes it even more expensive.

But with the current system, I think the spotter should be tied somehow to the winnings. Incentive. His rooms should be paid for along with most meals. A hand shake and a "way to go buddy" wouldn't hurt.

hooking a spotter up with 3 hots and a cot might work ok for a single event but i think if/when you find a permanent spotter you need to split the winnings similar to what lance has worked out. i feel that in this sport a permanent spotter is a good thing. when the driver finds a spotter that works well for the team he should keep him for all the events possible. driver-spotter experience is a great thing. plus don't you think that when a spotter thinks he is gonna get payed that he may work just alittle harder? a spotter that takes time to make all the events, does practice sessions, etc. is just as crucial as the driver so pay him likewise.just my op.

Whoever I spot for I always want the same deal that I think is fair. 1/3 - 1/3 - 1/3


1/3 of the total winnings for me

1/3 of the total winnings for the driver

1/3 of the total winnings for the expenses (entry fee, rig, meals, hotel, etc)


Expenses normally don't suck up the whole 1/3 it gets allotted so the driver keeps the extra, making him happy. Right Shupee? :D I'm happy to be involved, but if I'm giving up my weekend, catching flights, hucking rocks for two days, etc, and we win, I think I've earned that money.


Also I don't buy into all this no spotter BS. IMO, it makes it 10 times more exciting for the spectators to see someone keeping a rig from rolling with a strap, making an unpassable area passable by chucking a few rocks, spinning a vehicle by pulling the strap, etc. This sport will come down to what draws in crowds, and good teamwork is exciting. Ask Hogan from Disney how much he liked running with no spotter at this weekends Pro Rock, he liked it so much he came back and used one Sunday :D

Originally posted by bigdude
Whoever I spot for I always want the same deal that I think is fair. 1/3 - 1/3 - 1/3


1/3 of the total winnings for me

1/3 of the total winnings for the driver

1/3 of the total winnings for the expenses (entry fee, rig, meals, hotel, etc)



Coming from an outsider's point of view, that sounds like a really reasonable approach. To me, the spotter getting 1/2 sounds like a lot unless he also has a 1/2 stake in ALL the expenses - not just travel expense & entry $$, but purchase of the rig, trailer, & tow rig. But, 1/3 should be fair. Obviously, it would only apply to those that place in the money ;)

BTW, we often work out deals with female drivers to drive in the women-only classes at the mud races. If it's not her truck, she pays the entry, she keeps the trophy, and splits the prize money 50/50 with the truck owner.


TEX

No spotter is a load of crap. You can't make these obstacles and see the gates without your spotter. If you made the courses easier, people would be less interested in coming. I don't care how good your driving skill is, you need a spotter. As far as splitting your winnings. It all depends and should be decided between the driver and spotter. I can't see there being a decent blanket formula.

Easy

JR, there is a LOT of money in contingencies.... To give you an idea, if one were to win an RCAA event, they could win:

$3000 from BFG
$1000 from Summit Truckstyle
$750 from Skyjacker
$250 from ARB
Plus there are other contingencies (Premiere, Advance Adaptors, etc.) that will pay. I've heard of some guys that pay just for you to show up and run their sticker/product. You don't even need to win! Not too shabby. ;)

If there were no spotters, obstacles would need to be tamed down quite a bit, and everyone would be driving single seaters. It would be much more boring for the spectators. Just my .02

I think it work out great for both the way that Lance and Mike have it worked out

my 2c

Originally posted by JR


If there is no contingency money, it looks like it's more profitable to be a spotter! :D

Tell you what JR, I'll drive your EB and let you spot! :cool:

I'll even give you FREE Chiropractic treatment after each day!:D