ROCKINGHAM — When Mike Locklear attended MB Drift’s Icebreaker at Rockingham Speedway in February of 2021, he knew he wanted to be part of the action.
He said he was excited when he found out they were looking for volunteers.
“I have history with this track as a rescue worker on turn 2 for NASCAR races and I wanted to help out because I miss racing at The Rock,” Locklear said. “MB Drift was a great opportunity to get back to the track and it was a great decision because, wow, this drift family is awesome!”
The grassroots drifting organization was co-founded by Marshall Eggerling in 2005 to give young drifters “a place to have fun with their cars, not on the streets where they can get in trouble and get hurt.”
MB Drift had to leave Myrtle Beach Speedway at the end of the 2020 season after rezoning caused the track to shut down, but found its new home in Rockingham.
Locklear volunteered at all but the first of the season’s 10 events, starting by picking up cones that had been knocked over, helping with cleanup after wrecks and with traffic control as the drivers entered the track.
Now, Locklear says he does it all after learning more about drifting.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” Locklear said. “Whatever it takes to keep the track running smoothly … that’s where I’m at!
“Plus,” he added, “no matter where you are, it’s always front-row action.”
MB Drift announced on Facebook this week that it was looking for volunteers for its Spring Matsuri event and throughout the season, including flaggers and cone runners.
While there is no pay, non-driver volunteers get a free lunch, drinks provided during volunteer hours, free camping for three people, free entry wristbands for friends and “Awesome views while being on track.”
On-track volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.
Anyone interested is encouraged to contact Zach Sebald by emailing ZACHSEBALD@gmail.com, and provide their name, age, email address, phone number and list any expertise they may have.
Locklear encourages those interested to give it a try.
“Anyone that wants to experience drift racing up close and personal this is the opportunity,” he said. “You get free front-row seats to all the action right here at The Rock and The Little Rock! Two awesome tracks!”
MB Drift has six two-day events scheduled for this year, starting with the Spring Matsuri April 2-3, followed by four competition/fun day events — May 21-22, July 9-10, Aug. 13-14 and Sept. 17-18 — and ending Oct. 22-23 with Halloween Havoc.
Another perk of volunteering, Locklear said, is free ride-alongs.
“Where else can you do that locally?” he added. “If that isn’t enough, you get to work with awesome people who truly treat you like family. I’m proud to say I’m part of The MB Drift family today because I volunteer!”
Read more about the 2021 competitive season:
Click here to read more about Rockingham Speedway’s schedule for 2022.
