Junior marshalling

[brands hatch]

Hi this year i will turn sixteen and i am looking to join up as a marshal. I believe that you have to be 18 to marshal trackside? is this the case? and if so, what other areas can under 18s marshal? Thanks in advance for your replies.

Liam

[Stuart H]

I think assembley or the paddock. Not sure about the pits though.

[gachjoel]

Liam,
From the last info i heard was that you can go on the Bank at 16 but you have to have a parent/guardian with you at all times,but you would not be allowed on a track whilst it is live.
As Stu has said,Assembley or Paddock.
Pits you have to be 18 to marshal in.
Hope this helps

Gary

[DaveW]

With most clubs you should be able to go on the bank BUT there are likely to be restrictions and conditions applied, such as:

You must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or someone with written authorisation from your parent/guardian. You can't just get signed on and then "left" with a crew/post, even though most of them are a friendly and harmless bunch

You will not go out on a live track, so this restricts what you can get involved with and in the event of a significant incident should be moved away, which also means that the person accompanying you will not be available to assist in dealing with the incident. Where this can be an issue is when marshal numbers are low.

Certainly the pit lane is usually considered as part of the live circuit and so the same rules tend to apply.

The best thing is to talk to the Chief Marshal for each club that you are likely to work with and see what they are prepared to let you do. Unfortunately the restrictions are a sign of the times. I'm sure there are plenty of others out there like myself, who drove themselves to their first meeting at the age of 17 and spent the day with cars heading straight for you and the joys of catch-fencing to deal with (ask one of the older ones to explain ).

Whatever you get to do, have a great time and may it be the start of an addiction, the sport needs young blood.

[Robin_D]

When did the age change to 18? I've been marshalling since 16 on the bank and going out to incidents. Not sure my old man was with me at all times either.

[devon kev]

Originally Posted by gachjoel

Liam,
From the last info i heard was that you can go on the Bank at 16 but you have to have a parent/guardian with you at all times,but you would not be allowed on a track whilst it is live.

This is correct Gary if you remember i did this for one of younger marshal's at Thruxton last year

[Sheila M]

I'm not sure where this idea of not being allowed to marshal in the pits until you're 18 has come from.

The age limit for anyone in the pits is 16. I assume that applies to marshals as well. As long as the 16 year old has the permission of a parent or guardian (and presumably the same parent or guardian "babysitting") then I wouldn't have a problem with them being there.

Ideally, of course, Assembly is a better place to start as the cars are moving quite slowly and the job is a little less rushed at times.

[mattt]

Ive marshalled pits and startline for the last two years since i was sixteen, the only thing i noticed affecting me was my dad or someone else having to countersign my signing on

To answer your question Rob
In the last couple of years mainly more in 2008 than 2007

[gachjoel]

Originally Posted by devon kev

This is correct Gary if you remember i did this for one of younger marshal's at Thruxton last year

Kev,
i remember it well,
but i thought u wud have left the pushcair in the camping area
lol

[Matthews Dad]

Hi

different clubs have slightly different rules (due to slightly different insurance conditions)

at 16 you may be allowed on the bank / in pits with parental permission and suitable designated "mentor" who is willing to be responsible for you

same rules for designated person apply in paddock which depending upon the club is open to anyone over 12 ( 14 in BARC events)

As people have said talk to local clubs cheif marshals and others at the circuits and get involved

[Alan.F]

I had my 16yr old son on the bank with me all last season and he helped deal with a quite serious Mighty Mini accident in Fosters at Oulton, There was only one meeting where he was not allowed to help out. It all depends on the club as BARC and BRSCC have different rules for Minors I was told this last year by an Official from one of these clubs but can't remember which

[PVDA]

Down here (Australia) it's 16 for trackside (with parent/guardian approval for under 18's) and 12 & over for off track (admin, paddock, not sure about marshalling area though as it "could" be considered race track).

I've got an 8yo nephew waiting for his 12th birthday in June 2012 so he can join the madness.