Britcar24 2011

[White flag man]

Originally Posted by Steve Milward

Firstly I would like to wish the injured marshal a full and speedy recovery.

Great weekend on Flag with the team at Stowe. Some very funny radio comments and calls too, especially one from a highly regarded Ten Tenther regarding the high quality night warning lights......

Thanks to those on Post 29 and White Flag Man who helped me out on Saturday night when the incident was out of my sight, great team work.

All in all a fantastic meeting, another definate annual event for me.

Best wishes to our injured colleague and hope he makes a speedy and full recovery and is back with us soon.
What a great weekend, so much different than last year.
Thanks to Firefox and the other guys on Post 29. Some interesting moments, especially on Friday night qualifying when the winning car stopped on the track opposite us, without any lights!
Thanks to the support races for providing such full grids and special thanks to the Mazda mob for doing so well through Stowe, Vale and Club.
Thanks Steve for your teamwork in dealing with car 59. How did you manage to write a report while waving a yellow and a white flag
I'm sorry to one and all about my comment about our yellow light, which wasn't supposed to be broadcasted. It was during the above mentioned incident on Friday night and it wasn't the best time for the light not to work!
Well done to the incident crew at Vale, but I'm still puzzled why so many driver wanted to drive down the new pit lane to see you!
Glad people have confirmed it was the space station we saw.
Well done to the Army guys and the journalists in the Mazdas in the 24hr race as well as the Smart crew.
Lastly, a big thanks you to James Tucker for a fine event.
Roll on next year.

[Terrible-Tones]

Originally Posted by m1fcf

<Space Cadet mode:RISING>
Indeed a Perfect Sighting, but not that rare...

Sightings for Northampton in the next few days...
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata...ty=Northampton

<Space Cadet mode:REDUCING>

Sorry - I meant rare in that it was just as the sun came up at dawn, the weather was perfect, and we could see a big expanse of sky....

Thanks for the link though - I hadn't realised that site existed

[Terrible-Tones]

Originally Posted by Robin_D

and the game of charades was, don't quite know how to put it.

If it isn't a film aleady then it should be......

[Steve Milward]

Originally Posted by White flag man

Thanks Steve for your teamwork in dealing with car 59. How did you manage to write a report while waving a yellow and a white flag

Yeah I did wonder how we managed to get through all that including the 2 overtakes under waved yellow and whites. Just as I thought we were all done Car 50 locked up and speared off into the gravel.

I spoke to Sue in Race control more in those 40 minutes than I spoke to my wife the whole weekend

I honestly can't remember the last time I enjoyed myself so much.

[marshal_klunk]

Massive thanks to everyone in the "Eazy Crew" at Stowe for making my first 24 Hour race as much fun as it was, I knew I was in for a good time when I saw the Chef's apron!!

Thanks also to Steve on Post 28 for my rather brief introduction to Flagging, there really is more to it than there looks on the TV!

Also, best wishes to the marshal who was injured down at Maggots. In my first year as a marshal, it really was quite worrying to hear what was happening, and it brings home just how dangerous this sport can be. Hope he/she makes a quick recovery and isn't put off marshalling for good.

Best regards to you all, I will definitely see you all there next year!


Oh, and did anybody pick up the lantern that I left??

[roys1]

Latest news on our injured marshal.... He had an operation to repair and pin his leg and I believe he was transferred from Northants general and should be released soon from hospital to continue rest from home...
On a personal note I would like to say a big thank you from myself to all marshals and officials that made the Britcar 24hr 2011 a success ... Your dedication to your various duties made my life easier even though I thought I met myself coming back the other way... Thank you all

Roy S

[bluebeard]

Originally Posted by Power Bulge

Phew! What a scorcher - in all meanings of the phrase. Weather was unbelievable, the race itself, the weekend, the experience - everything. If anyone needed to know why endurance racing has so many hardcore devotees, this event explained it all.

Hope our wounded comrade makes a speedy recovery and is back on the bank for next year. Well done to the Echo team for coping with the situation, you did us all a service. "That" radio call was the only time I felt a chill during the entire 24 hours. I, for one, took a lot of reassurance and confidence in the way it was dealt with - first class. Thank you and well done to all involved in the response.

As for thanking people, I ought to start with Penny for allowing the Oulton Wanderers to "annexe" part of the track for the weekend, a decision that I hope will be repaid over the years to come. If this year's event does not convince more people to join in next year, I will give up eating custard doughnuts (and that ain't EVER going to happen!)

Then we turn to the man who made it all happen, organised it, sorted out a great shift pattern, arranged the teams, ran the post, brought most of the kit, kept us all motivated and involved, yet still managed to put in an extra shift in pitlane. Thanks Fazza, without your efforts, we would not have the memories that are going to last a lifetime. Don't make any other plans for the end of September 2012, there is a little job I'd like you to do ...

A special word for John as our 2IC, who put in a top performance throughout after being handed the role - somewhat unexpectedly, according to the look on his face when he found out!! Had to laugh at you two's faces when that car buried itself in the gravel trap just as you were doing the radio handover

Last, but definitely not least, thank you to all the team who made it the weekend that it was. The banter for all 4 days (5 including the Monday) couldn't be scripted and no-one even complained when sleep deprivation got the better of me and I started singing every song I know that has something to do with sunshine. Above and beyond the call, that.

See you all at the next one

great team to work with, see you all plus others no doubt next year

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by roys1

Latest news on our injured marshal.... He had an operation to repair and pin his leg and I believe he was transferred from Northants general and should be released soon from hospital to continue rest from home...

That's very good to hear. The sea of flashing lights as I was heading to post for my change of shift was very worrying. Roy, you have a PM which I've forwarded to you from one of the drivers involved who, amongst other useful information wishes to pass on his enourmous appreciation to the marshals, not only at the incident but also throughout the week-end.

On a personal note I would like to say a big thank you from myself to all marshals and officials that made the Britcar 24hr 2011 a success ... Your dedication to your various duties made my life easier even though I thought I met myself coming back the other way... Thank you all

Roy S

I assume as Chief Marshal you were also responsible for organising the weather, in which case may I suggest you stand for election as head of MSA?

[tonyC]

Originally Posted by Woolley

I assume as Chief Marshal you were also responsible for organising the weather, in which case may I suggest you stand for election as head of MSA?

Nooooooooo please

[Shelagh]

Originally Posted by roys1

Your dedication to your various duties made my life easier even though I thought I met myself coming back the other way... Thank you all

Roy S

Roy - one of you is enough, I certainly don't want to meet two of you in opposite directions

Great news about the incident guy. Hopefully all will be straightforward healing process now. I can give lessons in "flannel washes" if anybody is interested - practical not necessary!

[Clock watcher]

No problem Roy. Thanks for the radio, very usual in the Timing room for Safety Car Periods.
Glad to hear the Marshal is on the mend. Our best wishes to him.

[Tris1976]

Originally Posted by Terrible-Tones

Village for the 24hr. Crew were fantastic. We had such a great time with everybody. Atmosphere was brilliant with many laughs along the way. A real integrated team with lots of confidence in each other. I love it when this happens.

Weather was stunning (but very hot) - night sky was beautiful. Did anyone else spot the Space Station passing over at sunrise at about 06:30? It was a rare sight in perfect conditions.

Oh yes, and we did a few incidents (fortunately no crashes). It was interesting having 3 at once on 3 different spots on a very large post in the very early hours....

Great 24 hours (excepting the obvious of course)

(Tony)

Tony have you managed to get the biscuit out of your gloves yet, or are you going to pinch another pair of Nina's?

Baring the injuries sustained by marshals and crew (reports of fuel burns?) it was a great weekend and I will be ticking the box to come back in 2012 and beyond.

Made some great new friends during the wee small hours and learned that you tell the make of a car from what the drivers overalls have on them not what by who actually manufactured the car.....who'd have thought that

Doing three snatches in quick succession around 02:00 was an experience....but we worked well as a team and it certainly made sure I was awake seems I had just got back to post.

Thanks to ALL for a great weekend.

[Terrible-Tones]

Originally Posted by Tris1976

Tony have you managed to get the biscuit out of your gloves yet, or are you going to pinch another pair of Nina's?

No I haven't got the bourbons out yet - you bunch of kids.....

Originally Posted by Tris1976

and learned that you tell the make of a car from what the drivers overalls have on them not what by who actually manufactured the car.....who'd have thought that?

It was a Nissan 911 - clearly

[Robin_D]

I actually want to do it again this weekend. Same team would be great.

I may actually miss that bloody door frame this time around.

[Tris1976]

Originally Posted by Robin_D

I actually want to do it again this weekend. Same team would be great.

I may actually miss that bloody door frame this time around.

NOT a chance you even tripped in and out with a glowstick lighting it

[Ian Briggs]

Originally Posted by Robin_D

I actually want to do it again this weekend. Same team would be great.

I may actually miss that bloody door frame this time around.

Well you can, ish, come to Mull, we will be "on post" at midday friday and finishing 3 am ish Sunday, no gravel traps but an exellent chnce of sorting a snatch before the tide covers the car

Again an exellent if much drier and less muddy 24 hr. Spent the wee small hours With Bill doing chief flag, still not got over paranoia about dropping boards over the pit wall. And how come it was me that had to stick his 4rse out into woodcote to push the same ginetta twice when it ground to a halt just entering pit lane?

[gachjoel]

Originally Posted by simon_blay

gachjoel - I've just realised who you are. Thanks especially to you, your lady, and Neil who made 'the trainees' weekend such a good one. I was one half of dumb and dumber (Simon and Rob to some people) Cracking bacon butties and the cake and sweets after a long hard weekend was much appreciated.

Roll on next year!!

Got to make sure the troops are fed and the sugar levels are maxed out.
Glad you had such a good weekend, even tho we didn't have a lot to do, i hope what you saw gave you an idea of how to do what we safely...ish.
Thanks for the feedback, always nice to know we are doing things correctly for the new guys coming in to marshalling.
hope to see you next year at some point

[Terrible-Tones]

Originally Posted by Robin_D

I actually want to do it again this weekend. Same team would be great.

I may actually miss that bloody door frame this time around.

It would be great - the only issue would be waking Steve up I guess....

It really was a great weekend - door step and all....

Now for a team handshake....?

[Drummer]

Firstly: Best wishes for a speedy and pain free recovery for our fallen comrade. Roy: I hope you don't mind, but I quoted what you said to a follower on Twitter, who was with one of the teams. He was asking how the marshal was doing.

Many, many thanks to everyone who helped to make this event so fun, and got me involved in stuff. A really good weekend was had, despite a few irritations with various habitual rule violations, lol! Mind you, it was nice to put the fear of God into a few of the team managers! One team even hung notices at their back door, stating that no U-16's were allowed.

I did hear a rumour that none of the teams were disciplined for having U-16's in their garages, and even in the pit lane on a couple of occasions... One of which was DURING A FUEL STOP! O_O I was wondering why this was? Did Britcar decide that the ruling wasn't worth upholding? I certainly walked my legs off all weekend, trying to keep youngsters safe, lol!

Matt: Your SilverStone Henge was pretty good actually, great idea. Thankyou to all those concerned with providing the water cooler and fridge, and especially to the lovely lady who acted as my 'dealer', re-supplying the tin with Hobnobs!

Final note: Can anyone tell me the name of the Mosler team, who were situated at the end of the first block of garages, near to the pit office? AFAIK they didn't finish, due to a rare mechanical problem, for which they couldn't find a replacement part. The team manager was really lovely, and seemed to be rushed off her feet all night. I felt for the team, as they tried really hard. I heard that they might not do it next year, which is sad.

Anyway, many thanks to all concerned... Roy, Steve (you ought to be chief pits more often) and Mike, who was the guy in blue overalls... (Scrutineer?) And thankyou to the teams and Sonoco personnel who put up with my God complexes throughout the weekend, lol!

[Steven Humphrey]

Originally Posted by Terrible-Tones

It would be great - the only issue would be waking Steve up I guess....

Oi! I resent that statement! I'm working this weekend, so may well be asleep anyway

And has anyone seen my head torch?

What a great weekend-roll on next year!

[SuperDuff]

Originally Posted by Drummer

Final note: Can anyone tell me the name of the Mosler team, who were situated at the end of the first block of garages, near to the pit office? AFAIK they didn't finish, due to a rare mechanical problem, for which they couldn't find a replacement part. The team manager was really lovely, and seemed to be rushed off her feet all night. I felt for the team, as they tried really hard. I heard that they might not do it next year, which is sad.

I think that was Strata (I have a feeling that the Topcats Mosler was the one that ended up in a tyre wall). We saw them packing the garage up as I came off shift for breakfast.

[pauln]

Topcats was indeed the one in the tyre wall. There's a note from one of them on the thread in the Sports/GT forum.

[alimcb]

Great team on The Loop, and I think I need to put out a big shout to the Knockhill lads at Aintree as well. I do hope they enjoyed it and tell the others all about it when they get back.

We were close enough to see the commotion at Maggotts after the incident, I must admit it was a sickening feeling waiting for news on the marshal's condition. Although an operation to reset a broken leg isn't a pleasant prospect, it could have been a whole lot worse.

I would like to see Silverstone install LED flag signals for next year's event, regardless of whether or not the yellow light signals end up taking any blame for the incident (something we probably shouldn't speculate about). Snetterton have done so already and they seemed to work well at the 2CV 24Hr especially at night, but I imagine they are also useful in heavy rain or spray conditions.

This was my first 24Hr as a marshal and I have to say it was the best marshalling experience of the year. Everybody should try it once, as the advert goes, what's the worst that could happen???

[Bodger]

Had a good weekend on vale out.

Had to do things I haven't done before but I think I coped with them ok. I know I may have made a couple of mistakes, but I will learn from them. Very hot during the day but didn't the temp drop during the early hours!.

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by alimcb

I would like to see Silverstone install LED flag signals for next year's event, regardless of whether or not the yellow light signals end up taking any blame for the incident (something we probably shouldn't speculate about).

Agreed on all points.

I forgot to say thank you to whoever it was who suggested sunglasses for night time. That was the best tip of the lot. Would have been even better if I'd taken them off when visiting the toilet. Still, it was dark and I was on my own so nobody noticed...