Do you find Oulton a Pain??

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by gts1

but after all the jollities and greetings of each other the sign on staff eventually got round to the task in question

Eventually? Saturday sign on was scheduled to start at 7:15; it actually started just after 7:00.

Oulton is in my opinion the worst circuit for sign on sorry folks
but if I mess up I get told

I've only marshalled at 11 circuits, so I'm not really in a position to comment, but Oulton's among the best in my limited experience.

[Hepatic]

Originally Posted by gts1

Oulton is in my opinion the worst circuit for sign on sorry folks
but if I mess up I get told

out of interest, is this your only meeting of the year at Oulton?

...and yes M-M, my friends are mad but not as much as some of my marshalling friends....

[Asp]

One point that's been mentioned on the pre-allocation v. on the day allocation issue is that on the day allocation takes longer. However, I'd seriously question this - by the time you've found the name on the pre-allocation list and ticked it off you could easily have decided on teh day and written it down anyway!
One key advantage with on the day allocation that I've found is if you have a need for a specific type of post (the obvious one being that you've got friends on your guest ticket therefore would like to be on a post near a spectator area) you can ask for such a type of post when you get to sign-on, which is obviously more difficult to arrange with pre-allocation.

[SRPhoto]

Originally Posted by Asp

One key advantage with on the day allocation that I've found is if you have a need for a specific type of post (the obvious one being that you've got friends on your guest ticket therefore would like to be on a post near a spectator area) you can ask for such a type of post when you get to sign-on, which is obviously more difficult to arrange with pre-allocation.

Agree... Please leave it as it is!!!!

[Nadine J Lewis]

Many thanks to everyone for your comments and appreciation of the efforts that myself and Ian put into signing on at Oulton each week.

Although no meeting at Oulton this week we will be back the week after so see you all there!!!

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally Posted by MarshalGirl

Many thanks to everyone for your comments and appreciation of the efforts that myself and Ian put into signing on at Oulton each week.

Ian? No one mentioned Ian!!!

[Mike Kelly 1]

The idea of a separate Q for the I.O.s sounds like a good idea as I always feel a bit self conscious walking to the front when other people are already standing in line. For those that are waiting in line and dont know about Nadine allocating I.O.s first, it can lead to disgruntled coments. As there will only be 14 I.O.s (if using International circuit) it would not take too long to get them signed on before allocating posts to the other willing volunteers. As the fire tender team now also has a number of Incident marshals on its books, can they also sign on along with the I.O.s. This will allow them the extra time to find O.P. staff to unlock garages etc so that we can check the fire tenders over prior to getting on post.

As for the big Q's at the BTCC meeting, its always the same. For those people that only come to the big meetings, try getting to some of the clubbies, such as the VSCC meeting. It was a cracker. The racing is better, the grids are bigger (well, apart from the F Renault race) and as there are less marshals you tend to have a bit more work to do.

The comments about the camp site are true though. It is quite small, but then again have you camped at Thruxton. OK, so its fenced off, but its not exactly huge is it! I always find the security guards at Thruxton a bit officious. At least at Oulton they speak English! Last time I camped at Rockingham was for the second Champ Car meeting. Just as well there wasn't many marshals needed as that camp site was also a rubble strewn postage stamp. At Brands Hatch you have to camp with the spectators and there isn't even running water or toilets on site. You have to negotiate the security guards to make your way into the paddock to answer the call of nature. Weighing things up I think that O.P. is doing OK.

[kernow]

No it wasn’t a pain, yes the queue to sign on was bigger, but it was one of the major events in the calendar. The allocation of posts before hand has already been discussed and no shows might increase if you didn’t like the post given out beforehand.

Signing on in the Scrutineering Bay is always more exposed to the elements rain or shine, but it only happens there for the major events.

Yes I believe there were problems with the campsite, but Margaret Simpson has done something about it for next time.

I help organise 3 sprints and 2 trackdays for my club which take a fair amount of time in arranging letters and tickets etc apart from the setup on the day itself. I have to say that the team at Oulton - BMMC, BARC and BRSCC do a tremendous job to organise the number of events they do through the year on a volunteer basis. The same goes for the marshals at any venue who gives his or her time to allow us to turn up, sign on and spend a day on the bank.

If we want it to get better, offer to help, even if it is only carrying the programmes from race control to sign on.

Nadine and Ian are the public face of BMMC at Oulton as far as incident marshals are concerned and despite the comments turn up every event to make sure we are organised and sent on our way with a smile. Long may they continue.

I’ll get back in my box now, I’ve got a sprint to organise tomorrow.

[Grandslammer]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly 1

The comments about the camp site are true though. It is quite small, but then again have you camped at Thruxton. OK, so its fenced off, but its not exactly huge is it! I always find the security guards at Thruxton a bit officious. At least at Oulton they speak English! Last time I camped at Rockingham was for the second Champ Car meeting. Just as well there wasn't many marshals needed as that camp site was also a rubble strewn postage stamp. At Brands Hatch you have to camp with the spectators and there isn't even running water or toilets on site. You have to negotiate the security guards to make your way into the paddock to answer the call of nature. Weighing things up I think that O.P. is doing OK.

With regards to campsites...Silverstones "old" site used to be ideal.Regulars had the opportunity to leave their caravans on site,through the season,making travelling,setting up and departing,quicker with less stress on the "old girl"(car that is). Perhaps security could have been tighter,but I would have had to pay someone to 'nick' mine!!