Cam Martin has take the dirt road a time or two.
In fact, the Dirt Guy as he was referred to on stage at the Estevan Motor Speedway's Awards night, accepting the volunteer of the year award.
“Everybody else here deserves it,” he said after getting the award. “I'm doing something I enjoy doing. I like being there and I'm retired now so it gives me something to do.”
There has to be a certain amount of moisture in the track or else the track dries out and isn't as safe to run on. Martin's day at the track will involve the steps of watering the track, grading it and then packing it. It's the effort of him and people like him that give the track the unique personality it has on any given day.
Martin has been working the track for some time now, preferring dirt to concrete.
“I watched some asphalt racing but I started watching some dirt racing in Minot and I never went back,” Martin said. “Just got interested in the dirt racing and I just find it exciting.”
Mostly his day at the track – which includes a lot more than just race days – will include watering the track “unless Mother Nature helps us out.
“If it rains, it's just more packing and more packing. There's quite a few people race day.”
Martin has just been a one man crew when it comes to the 3/8 mile, high bank track except on race day when he gets some help.
“If you get a good track, you go home happy,” he said. “If you get a bad track you get out of there fast.
“It's like a goaltender in hockey. If you win the game, nobody knows who you are. If you lose, everybody knows who you are. It's the same with the track.”
During the season, drivers all complimented the track conditions and with the exception of a couple of races, everything went as scheduled. Even in an exceptionally dry season, the track's conditions were remarkably consistent and fast from one might to the next.
