RSWC has Three Kinds of Crew on the Race Team:
- Interns
- Volunteers
- Employees
Ron Sutton & Randy Chastain built this winning team with the understanding that people win races, not cars ... and the right people are key to winning. We have found three types of people fit into the RSWC crew.
- "Learners" are Racers that join up with RSWC for 1-2 years to learn all they can, before moving onto their own racing or joining another race team. These Guys & Gals fit into our INTERN PROGRAM. A select few will shine and rise to being hired by a race team and make this a career. RSWC hires the best person from our Intern Program each year.
- "Lifers" are veteran racers with racing in their blood, live to race, want to be on a winning team and want to have fun doing it. They join RSWC to race, have fun and win ... without spending their own money. These guys join the RSWC race crew as a VOLUNTEER, but still attend some of the training. (Special Note: RSWC employees are "lifers" too. They just made their sport of passion their j.o.b.)
- "Leisure Racers" LOVE racing, but don't have as much time available. They want to be plugged into a top-notch, winning team for the occasional "racing fix." They are the Flex Crew guys that join us when they can and come to a small number of races each season. These guys ALSO join the RSWC race crew as a VOLUNTEER ... and attend some of the training ... but they attend less races & shop days.
There are two types of people that do NOT fit RSWC:
- "Lounge Lizards" just want to hang out and drink. These are the guys that think racing is cool, but are not motivated enough to put in the effort it takes to field safe, winning race cars. Please do not apply. By the way ... our crew will be the first ones to crack a beer after the day is done. But they put a lot of effort and care into fielding safe, winning race cars ... then they cut loose and play.
- "Losers" who don't believe in themselves, don't take responsibility for their life, blame others, have lots of excuses, always have drama in their life and/or use drugs to escape. Please don't apply.
This page is ALL about our Intern Program.
The next page is about joining the Race Team as a Volunteer Crew Person. And the page after that is about potential employment with the Race Team.
So here are answers to common questions about the INTERN PROGRAM . . .
What is it?
A training program about race cars, professional racing and being on a winning race crew. There are 26 structured classroom topics, hands-on experience wrenching on real race cars in the shop with guidance from veteran crew members and "hard to get" track experience, crewing on winning race cars.
What is the training focused on?
We offer full classroom training & in-shop "hands-on" experience provided on:
- Winning Race Car Building
- Championship Race Car Maintenance & Service
- Chassis Set-ups
- Advanced Chassis tuning
- Engine Tuning - Fuel & Ignition Systems
- Crew Chief Strategies
- Data Acquisition
- Race Car Repairs
- Race Car Fabrication
- Metal Fabrication
- Welding
- Sheet metal fabrication
- Building Race Car Bodies
- Mill/Lathe Machining
- Race Team Pit Cart & Equipment Fabrication
What are the roles I can get Training for?
- Fuel & Jack Man
- Race Mechanic
- Fabricator
- Spotter
- Car Chief
- Crew Chief
- Engineer
- Data Acquisition Expert
When is it?
- Year round - You can start any time of the year ... but only during "Open Enrollment" times scheduled by RSWC.
- You can quit at any time, but if you leave the Intern Program, you can not return.
- Shop Nights most Tuesday evenings from 5 pm to 9:30 pm.
- Training Classes are typically on weekends. Some during the race season, but most are in the Fall & Winter.
- To be in the program, you have got to show up consistently.
- Interns are cut for missing more than 20% of the shop nights and/or classes.
- Tuesday evenings from 5 pm to 9:30 pm.
- Classes & races are on the weekends.
- Because it goes year round & you can start any time we have Open Enrollment, it is flexible.
- To really participate in every process & learn all there is to learn ... takes one full year.
- You don't have to commit to a year to be in the Intern Program.
People can drop out any time they want, but if you want to learn, plan to be in the program at least 6 months.
Who gets to go to the Races and be on the Race Crew?
Only Interns that have shown commitment, care & smarts. We don't take people to be on the crew that are not SERIOUS, CAREFUL or SMART ... these are real race cars with real people racing them. So it's real easy ... the Guys & Gals that show up, learn what we teach, apply themselves and wrench on the cars "with care" are asked to go to the races and crew on the race cars. There are plenty of spots to do that. We just find a smaller portion of the class is committed, caring & smart.
- Oval Track Racing are typically Friday-Saturday events.
- We practice on Friday evenings & race on Saturdays.
- Friday practice times vary, but typically start at 3-4 pm and end around 7-8 pm.
- This works well for the local races, because most students are out of school by then.
Where are the Races?
- The Modified Team races locally, at All American Speedway in Roseville.
- Occasionally, the Modified Team runs at Stockton 99 Speedway. Both are about 45 minutes from the Race Shop.
- The Midget Team runs some local races in Roseville & Stockton ... but also travels to 7 other race tracks on the West Coast
- Including: Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Lake Havasu, Madera, Los Angeles, Irwindale & Meridan, ID.
How do I get to the Local Modified & Midget Races?
- You can simply meet the team at the track.
- Or you can go earlier, meet the crew at the shop & ride with the crew coming from the shop.
- But, it's best if you meet at the track, so you have your car to go home each night.
- You ride with the Race Crew, either in the Motor Coach or Rig.
- So you have to be able to leave when Crew has scheduled to leave.
What if I'm late to catch the crew leaving for a Travel Race?
We will leave you behind ... we have a schedule to keep ... and we'll shoot you when we get back for leaving us a guy short. 
Yes, really !
Who covers the expenses when the Team travels to races?
- The Team pays for everything ... travel, hotel, snacks, track food, beverages, restaurants, beer, pit passes ... everything.
- We have had crew guys leave with $20 in their pocket & come home with $20.
- The only thing you "might" spend your own money on is souvenirs or gambling (Vegas Trip).
- We provide the Team Shirts for you use on race day.
- You need to buy 1-2 pairs of black Dickies brand work pants to fit you.
- These are the "Team Pants" and cost approx $20 each. The team will reimburse you with a receipt.
I go to School (Wyotech, UTI, College) ... will it interfere?
- It should not. But, it depends on your class schedule times.
- Shop Nights are on Tuesday evenings from 5 pm to 9:30 pm.
- Classes & races are on the weekends.
What does the training program cost?
- There is NO COST ... no charge, no fees or expenses. It's absolutely free to be involved.
- You are trading your time & efforts to the race team ... for rare & valuable training.
- But to be in the program, you have got to show up consistently.
- Interns are cut for missing more than 20% of the shop nights and/or classes.
- There is only one other programs like this in the United States and it cost $8950 for 10 weeks.
- You can check it out by clicking HERE.
- We're not charging for the program ... but you have got to be committed. No flakes, whiners or excuses.
Who is this for?
Car Guys & Gals who … either already know … or want to learn how to wrench on real race cars … and become a part of the race crew at the shop & race track. We have Guys & Gals who join the program for four common reasons ... and they all are welcome.
- Just want to have something fun & cool to do while going to school.
Want to learn how to work on race cars ... so they can work on their own race cars someday.- Want to excel and be hired to a full time career working on the RSWC Race Team. (We hire the top Intern each year)
- Want to learn how to work on race cars ... so they can work for another race team someday. (Good Interns get "Letters of Reccomendation")
Bottom line: You can learn, go racing & have fun ... at No Cost to You.
How Do I Apply and/or Join the Intern Program?
- Go to Page 5 of this Tour ... for information about our next Shop Tour dates, Address & Directions.
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