Moving from autocross to Formula 1 is a pipe dream that has occurred to many, if only for a brief second. Unless, of course, you’re Amy Grothusen, who just might be the first to Turn 1 this week at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Ok, so you’re counting down the list – Colapinto, Lawson, Bearman – but you can’t place Grothusen? That’s because you’re looking on the wrong side of the wall.
She began autocrossing in 2013, sharing her father’s love of speed. That led the Houston Region member to the Flagging & Communications side of road racing, where she began at MSR Houston.
“With the help of our local F&C chief Jim Robertson, I received both in-person and classroom training to earn my F&C license,” Grothusen says. “It didn’t take long until I was hooked on this new thrilling way to experience the intensity and excitement of wheel-to-wheel racing.”
That grew into a National F&C license and a willingness to get involved as much as possible. Fast forward to today, and she’ll be under the neon lights of the Vegas strip as the Communications Marshal for Turn 1.
“My role is to relay vital information quickly and clearly to the race control team,” she explains. “Incidents range from debris on the track, occasional contact between competitors, or even an impact with the track barriers themselves.”
Vegas 2024 will be her 11th FIA Formula 1 event to work – in other words, she’s come a long way from shagging cones. Still, like all of us, the future is limited only by the time on hand.
“I do have plans to work at an international event next year and I’m excited about the opportunity to bring my skills to other countries, but I also want to remain active in my local autocross series, so my time is somewhat already spread thin,” Grothusen admits.
All of this has been made possible thanks to her involvement with the SCCA.
“Having an SCCA license not only opens doors to working these events, but also ensures I’m trained properly to handle the demanding responsibilities of being a marshal,” she says. “I’ve been able to make friends from all over the world and we share the love of motorsports, which brings us together despite different backgrounds and languages.”
And her advice for those who want to follow in her footsteps and be front and center for a Grand Prix?
“Give it a try at a local level and learn from the best at SCCA – if you have a knack for it then get licensed and start progressing to bigger professional races,” she says. “The sky really is the limit when you have the certification and such a vast network of professionals all willing to help you learn the proper skills required to work trackside. Above everything else, be humble and willing to listen, learn, and grow.”
Learn more about volunteering with the SCCA by clicking here.
Photo courtesy Amy Grothusen
