Careful Pete, working as an @Speed reporter is how I got started in all of this stuff. You don't know what it might lead to!

I received a job offer from the motorsports editor of the Indianapolis Star about seven years ago after she (yes, she) saw a piece that I wrote and posted to rec.autos.sport.info internet newsgroup about a FF2000 event. She wanted me to cover support level open wheel racing series. I told her I was a straight line guy, worked primarily drag racing, and she offered me another job as a stringer covering NHRA national events!

I turned her down because doing what I'm doing, I'm able to write my own ticket basically. I pick and choose the events that I work for the most part. I'm asked to be on call in case another reporter has a personal emergency and can't attend an event, and my regular work schedule allows me to do so. I don't get a call to work a non-scheduled (for me) event very often, but when I do get the call, and those calls are only for national events, travel expenses are covered by FastNews. What ever it costs me to get there, get around, stay there and get back is paid for. It gives me flexibility, yet I still get paid for my work, work that I love doing so much it's more like getting paid to have fun!

Bob