why did you become a marshal?

[Hepatic]

in a way it's a bit similar to being in the forces, or emergency services. it's the sense being able to help people when they need you most, and working in a team of people that you may not have even met before yet still being able to do a world class job. when you have a weekend where all hell breaks loose and you all still keep things moving and (almost) on time, it really does make you feel good.

[Justin Moran]

Steves' right, it is like being in the forces because I too found that I trust the guys I'm on the bank with to watch my back and I'll watch theirs!

As to why I started. I suggested it to my step daughters boyfreind and he was sooooooo enthusiastic I had to have a go too! 35 years of racing as a speccy and now I see a whole new side to it! Great!

[sputnik421]

I was given a free ticket to the Truck racing last year by a local marshal. When I got home after that weekend, I thought if marshals get free tickets why don't I do it. So I found the BARC website and saw the marshals link, on clicking it I was presented with Sara's e-mail address. I sent the e-mail to Sara two days later got an info pack and aplication and avalibity forms though. I returned them to BARC by driving to Thruxton that day, the next day my trainee card was on the mat. My first event was on post 4 at Brands for BTCC on the indy, where I made some new frends and had loads of action. I enjoyed that event so much that when lunch came up at my second event, the F3's at Thruxton I went to the BARC shop and got a set of probans. I am now a cource marshal that took me 10 mounts to get. This weekend I was on post 17 at Thruxton for my second Truck meeting on the bank, this time I got to stay on post while the Trucks were on track. I am loving it and am hoping for many more years of track marshaling, before I have to start picking up flags.

[Terrible-Tones]

Got started because it was mentioned in the commentary of a GP recently. Until then I thought it was a paid job!!!

So I talked to my brother in law (who loves F1) and we found the websites and both joined BMMC. So sure we were that we would enjoy it we brought the proban overalls, waterproofs (bad summer) and boots before we even started (that's being keen!!).

Very first day was BARC at Silverstone this weekend just gone. Had a brilliant time at "Brooklands" - the guys were fantastic. It was all action and had a baptism of fire when there was a big MX5 shunt on our patch requiring two extractions (drivers ok - though one has a broken leg unfortunately).

Was scary the first day - turned up all nervous and unsure what to do or where to go - on Sunday strolling around the Paddock like we owned the place!!

Trying to get my wife to come - get the usual "just cars going around a track" but ironically my wife loves fast cars and drives very well (she has done track driving). Any ideas on how I can persuade her to come for a look see gratefully received!!

[PeterM]

Chatted when you came down to the Start. Thought you both looked very smart with clean overalls (soon put a stop to that) and matching gloves. Welcome to the mad world of marshalling. Trust you have put your names down for the 24 hour race in September.

[Terrible-Tones]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Chatted when you came down to the Start. Thought you both looked very smart with clean overalls (soon put a stop to that) and matching gloves. Welcome to the mad world of marshalling. Trust you have put your names down for the 24 hour race in September.

Thanks for that Peter - actually my aim is to get my overalls as faded and badged up as David (no offence meant David!!) thenI know I have made it good and proper!!

24 Hour is a bit difficult for me - I do have a health problem/disability that would probably rule out doing that (on my profile I have "retired" at 41 but this is due to ill health not because I am rich - sadly!!)

I hope that this problem did not show at the weekend? I am determined not to let it beat me. Marshalling is an ideal hobby in many ways but 24 hours would be a problem. No reason my bruv in law couldn't do it though!!

Have got our names down for 25th 26th August at Silverstone, as well as F3 at Rockingham in Sept. Also as we enjoyed Silverstone so much we have asked Pam if we can do the Walter Hayes in November and asked if we can join BRDC as well as BMMC. So hopefully see some of you guys then.

[sunny.traveller]

[QUOTE=Terrible-Tones - Trying to get my wife to come - get the usual "just cars going around a track" but ironically my wife loves fast cars and drives very well (she has done track driving). Any ideas on how I can persuade her to come for a look see gratefully received!! [/QUOTE]

I come from a zero motor racing background but as my boyfriend is a marshal I came along as a speccy and I thought "this could be fun" but I could see how professional everyone is and I didn't want to join and the let the side down. So I was quite cautious about becoming a marshall. But after a chat with Sheila M at the Silverstone Classic last year I took the plunge and I'm having a really great time. I mostly do startline & pits (with occasional forays onto the bank) - and I'm often too busy to see the racing! After a year I've made some friends and I'm even getting a little bit more knowledgeable about motor racing.

[Gerryc]

[QUOTE=Terrible-Tones]24 Hour is a bit difficult for me - I do have a health problem/disability that would probably rule out doing that (on my profile I have "retired" at 41 but this is due to ill health not because I am rich - sadly!!)

I hope that this problem did not show at the weekend? I am determined not to let it beat me. Marshalling is an ideal hobby in many ways but 24 hours would be a problem. No reason my bruv in law couldn't do it though!!/QUOTE]

There is no need to do the complete 24 hours - Have a chat to Pam, I am sure it would be fine for you to do just the Sunday morning & afternoon, or both the Saturday and Sunday during the day and not the night bit. I know some people did that a couple of years ago.

By the way - I was flaf at Luffield Out over the weekend and the newness of the overalls was very visible, I almost reached for my sunglasses at one point!

Welcome to the madhouse

Gerry

[Gerryc]

As well as being flaf at Luffield Out I also waved a few flags!!!

[Terrible-Tones]

There is no need to do the complete 24 hours - Have a chat to Pam,

By the way - I was flaf at Luffield Out over the weekend and the newness of the overalls was very visible, I almost reached for my sunglasses at one point!


Thanks for the advice Gerry - Will have a chat with Pam -

Ok that's it regards overalls - looking at ways of "artificial distressing" therefore rendering pointless any further mickey taking!!! Any ideas? Keep them in the compost heap for two days then three times thru the washing machine maybe!!??

[Terrible-Tones]

Originally Posted by sunny.traveller

I come from a zero motor racing background but as my boyfriend is a marshal I came along as a speccy and I thought "this could be fun"

Thanks for that - will pass on to my wife - her view is that unless she is on the track driving she isn't interested - but I think she would be if she saw it all close up ti would be different - it's getting her to take that step to come and see one day is the prob.

[Gerryc]

Originally Posted by Terrible-Tones

Ok that's it regards overalls - looking at ways of "artificial distressing" therefore rendering pointless any further mickey taking!!! Any ideas? Keep them in the compost heap for two days then three times thru the washing machine maybe!!??

No problem with distressing the overalls - just mention this "requirement" to any marshal you are on post with and they will be only too happy to roll you in the gravel / kitty litter / puddles / mud etc. until the overalls are suitable aged.

[Terrible-Tones]

Originally Posted by Gerryc

No problem with distressing the overalls - just mention this "requirement" to any marshal you are on post with and they will be only too happy to roll you in the gravel / kitty litter / puddles / mud etc. until the overalls are suitable aged.

Thanks mate!!!

That was one thing we did manage to avoid!!

[Justin Moran]

Just do a day at Donny behind the tyres!!! They soon lose some of that glare!

[devon kev]

Can't remember why i started marshalling but 21yrs later I'm still lovin it

[sputnik421]

Originally Posted by Terrible-Tones

Ok that's it regards overalls - looking at ways of "artificial distressing" therefore rendering pointless any further mickey taking!!! Any ideas? Keep them in the compost heap for two days then three times thru the washing machine maybe!!??

when mine looked quite new I did a sporting trial in a chalk pit they did not look so new after that day.

[Robin_D]

I'm suprised that both you and martin, got out of being rolled in the gravel. Then again at least neither of you fell over. That does get embarrasing.

[Terrible-Tones]

Originally Posted by Robin_D

I'm suprised that both you and martin, got out of being rolled in the gravel. Then again at least neither of you fell over. That does get embarrasing.

UTTER DISASTER guys - my wife has just WASHED my overalls -
NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Nearly did fall over with bottle on way to 3 car (Ginetta) only saved by David grabbing collar!!

[Robin_D]

Originally Posted by Terrible-Tones

UTTER DISASTER guys - my wife has just WASHED my overalls -
NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Nearly did fall over with bottle on way to 3 car (Ginetta) only saved by David grabbing collar!!

Now that is the worst thing to say, never say that you almost fell over, there are awards for that kind of thing!

[Terrible-Tones]

Originally Posted by Robin_D

Now that is the worst thing to say, never say that you almost fell over, there are awards for that kind of thing!

Errrr... Don't like the sound of this - What sort of awards ....exactly?????

[Robin_D]

Originally Posted by Terrible-Tones

Errrr... Don't like the sound of this - What sort of awards ....exactly?????

Sorry to stray off topic.

Well each year the BRDCMC award a Richard Head trophy for the stupidest act of the year.

I think last year it was won by falling over the wheels of a stationary FPA in the gravel trap. Twice. That was after them telling the driver to put it into 2nd gear, low revs and they will try and push it. All very well and good except they were trying to push him out backwards! D'oh!

[blueoval]

Been doing it now for 5 yrs,1st GP this year come rain or shine love it must be mad but as some of you have said it gets in your blood. I am now 40 wish i'd started 20 years ago my son is 11 and can not wait to start.

[racerkeke]

I started marshalling because I was at the track anyway (father was an FIA steward). I was almost in high school before I realized that not everyone went to the track every weekend.

It occurred to me that it was actually safer on the track side of the fence, away from the drunks and the idiots. It might sound odd, but because of my dad's position we rarely went to grassroots events, and this made perfect sense at pro events at Mosport in the '60s and '70s.

keke

[ascarracinguk]

for me it was an incident at donnington involving a certain shane bland in his marcos. i was only 14ish at the time and was seriously shocked by the incident, the first thing that came to my mind was the poor guy is a gonner, however after seeing the professionalism and teamwork of the marshals, not only to sort out the car but also dealing with the spectators who were climbing the fencing to try and help out (im assuming they thought it was shane lynch in the car) i knew it was something i wanted to be involved in...corny i know but hey.