Grand Prix Of Baltimore Is Looking For Volunteers

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Grand Prix of Baltimore is a major undertaking. This week, race organizers are searching for hundreds of volunteers.

Gigi Barnett explains the perks and privileges that come with helping out.

For three days, Baltimore's main streets turn into a high-octane IndyCar race track.

It takes an army of volunteers to pull it off, and with only six weeks left before the green flag flies, race organizers are looking for hundreds of helpers.

"It's a very big operation. We've got two square miles of downtown Baltimore that will have over 150,000 people during the weekend," said Grand Prix general manager Tim Mayer.

That work includes finding and training about 750 volunteers for almost every part of the Prix.

"Everybody from media control to purse control to ushers. We've got people involved in all kinds of areas," said Mayer.

Credentials and free parking come with the voluntary gig. Breakfast and lunch do, too. All that's required is a minimum of three six-hour shifts. Volunteers can be as young as 16.

"They're not really race fans, a lot of them," said Greg Falk.

Falk became a volunteer three years ago when the Grand Prix first hit the Charm City streets. He's returned every year since.

Why? He says it's because volunteering gives him a behind-the-scenes view that most fans never see.

"It's like, you see the movie but when you're on the set to see how that movie was made and to be part of it, it's very rewarding," he said.

In addition to getting a behind-the-scenes view of the high-octane event, volunteers will also receive a 10 percent discount on Grand Prix tickets.

The Grand Prix of Baltimore runs on Labor Day weekend. For more information on how you can volunteer, click here.