Marshals driving

[Dutch chap]

I’ve seen a couple of threads about drivers who occasionally do some marshalling, but how about marshals competing in races?

The reason I’m interested is that last Saturday I did my racing exam at Zandvoort and I’m happy to announce that I will hold a EU license for touring cars from 2005.

There are just 2 things left: the budget (but I’m sure you all want to contribute so that won’t be a problem) and the physical test – ah, that could ruin it all.

So, how about it? Are there any marshals competing?

[Sheila M]

God no!! You'd never catch me competing - these racing drivers are all totally mad

Seriously, I've never had the urge to compete, I'd rather do my marshalling.

[MagnetON]

Our friend Jonathan "Doc" Hollywood combines marshaling, rescue and racing. He's quite fast too!

[bigted]

I went for a spin around the Knockhill Rallycross track in a 4x4 and that made my mind up for me. I couldnt race around there!

[MikeM]

Good luck Dutch chap, but be careful - it's addictive.

I have marshalled for years and started co driving in rallies about 20 years ago. Since then I've done rallies, sprints and hillclimbs then more recently raced in the NWFF championship based at Oulton Park and Anglesey. It's really good fun but I'm not one of the quick ones - I just enjoy it. Another regular NW marshal, Duncan Aukland, was the KN Filters overall champion this year - that's a good performance!

[Alan Green]

There are a couple of guys in the Darlington & District MC Northern Sports & Saloons Championship who started as marshalsm, but are now racing and doing quite well.

I have a couple of marshalling friends also who have competed at minicross and trials.

Me, I have to carry too much ballast, and have insufficient sponsorship to make racing an unrealistic prospect (ie fat & skint)- I'll just watch and pick up those who fall off, thank you

Al

[1200Datto27]

I race, and also are the C of C / Steward for a number of events here, as well as being a trackie at the AGP.

[PipSqueak111]

There's a female marshal, Georgina, who races Formula 3 cars. Had a nasty accident last year, destroying her car, so spent much of the latter part of the season marshalling. Good marshal and from what I've been told, a very good driver. As she holds a race license, she sometimes drives course cars as well.

I dabble in a bit of sprinting, but only with my club, and not really competitive. I did get a try out in February though for a seat in one of the Uniroyal Challenge cars.

Phill

[The Fat Clerk]

There's few of us who run the race Control for 750MC meetings who have, or still race.
Viv Ayres our lady C of C, still races with the HSCC in a Brabham, as does Keith Messer, one of our DSO's. Peter Stenning our Chief Observer sprints a Ginetta and in the late 70's I did the European F.Ford 2000 series.
Believe me marshalling is a bloomin site cheaper way of being involved in motor sport!

[G Tanner]

I still hold a Speed Licence from sprinting and am contemplating doing my ARDS test next year, but as Dave said, it's a a lot cheaper on the other side of the barrier.

[Dutch chap]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

Believe me marshalling is a bloomin site cheaper way of being involved in motor sport!

That's what I'm finding out at this moment. As if I didn't realise before!

[Mark Mitchell]

Ten Tenther JAMO is a graded Marshal and also a competition Licence Holder.

Has raced XR3i's and the Fiesta Zetec around the UK.

He's not bad either!

[Dutch chap]

A couple of years ago during a German meeting at Zandvoort we had the pleasure of a young German lady marshalling at our post. In between she went off post to race her Opel (=Vauxhall) Lotus, came back to the post and continued flagging.

We tried to persuade her to stay around for 5 years or so, like her ancestors had done about 60 years earlier , but she chose to limit it to just the weekend.

(about time I change my signature to "don't mention the war")

[The Fat Clerk]

This couldn't happen in the UK, thanks to the wonderful 'Blue Book'.
As we all know it's always nice to have a driver marshalling for a day (and they can get a licence upgrading signature).

[G Tanner]

Although it shouldn't happen, I have had Drivers marshal on my post and then disappear to compete in their race before returning to marshal. Let's say that numbers were slightly light on that particular day.

[aprescott]

I have been know to race in the odd formula ford race - I think that is why I am so mad to go and marshal!!!

[jamo]

I have raced for the last 6 years - in the XR Challenge and more recently in the Ford Fiesta championship. Have also dabbled a little with Formula Ford, however this didn't go so well - wrecked the car on the test day

Have combined this with being a Marshal for the last 4 (or poss 5 seasons).

My wife tells me I spend too much time at race circuits !!?

And yes I agree, Marshalling is much less painful on the wallet.

[Steve Burns]

Originally Posted by G Tanner

I still hold a Speed Licence from sprinting and am contemplating doing my ARDS test next year, but as Dave said, it's a a lot cheaper on the other side of the barrier.

Gary, as MikeM says its quite addictive. I am usually found at race meetings as Clerk of the Course, Secretary of the Meeting or Championship Co-ordinator. I did a couple of FF1600 races during the summer to 'further my experience', caught the bug and have now competed in a couple more FF1600 races and a couple of Ginetta races.

I'm not particularly competitve but its great fun. I have now just upgraded to a National A licence! At least this will come in handy for driving the Safety Car, which I am often asked to do.

[red5pete]

If i remember right steve you raced in a Castle Combe Saloon car race a couple of years ago, was it in a black VW Golf GTI or was it red I can`t remember.

[Steve Burns]

Raced is a bit of an over-exageration. Practiced would be more appropriate. A long story best forgotten!

[diz]

Originally Posted by Steve Burns

Raced is a bit of an over-exageration. Practiced would be more appropriate. A long story best forgotten!

I'll never forget it

[Ian Briggs]

For a few years I Competed in the Dave Moore Memorial Sprint (Ex Chief Flag at Oulton) in a vastly uncompetetive Citroen ZX, what a hoot, mind you I did get a run disalowed when I got it on the grass and caused a Marshal to take cover, miserable beggar reported me to the C of C, Marshals ! The Citroen Died, but as soon as I have finished paying for the New Car I shall return!

[The Fat Clerk]

Looks like this old fool is about to have another go. As you may have heard, I won a Porsche 911 on the Channel 5, 5th gear programme. I plan to sell this & buy something more suited to racing, probably with the 750MC (the Club I Clerk with).

[Werewolf]

Looking forward to racing this year and also looking forward to helping out on the bank at Oulton if asked.Will be nice to see some of the friendly faces i met last year.off thread,are the numbers of marshalls expected to rise/fall/stay the same this year?

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by Werewolf

also looking forward to helping out on the bank at Oulton if asked.

Don't wait to be asked!