Bahrain GP

[Alan Green]

Some of our more travelled marshals may be able to answer this one...

After reading Autosport today I got thinking - Providing that the circuit is built, the hotel rooms are found, the security threat isn't too great, and the place doesnt get covered in sandstorms, who is marshalling the GP?

We've struggled to get the British GP manned sufficiently recently, have the Bahrainian equivalent of the MSA got a pool of marshals to ask to attend?

However, if Bernie or Max want to pay flights & accomodation for a flag marshal for the weekend, I'm sure I can make myself available to help out

Al.

[Stephen Green]

Errr me too!

[Woolley]

Careful, Stephen, all of the men there wear flowing robes which could be mistaken for skirts. Just don't want you to tire yourself out. Try starting somewhere easier like Knockhill and then work up to it...

Seriously, it's a relevent question. As the GP world heads off to countries with less and less motorsport, just where do they get the marshals? Even some of the countries where there is regular sport struggle to get properly attired crews, and you see some woeful marshalling practices on accasions. Never having marshalled, how do you deal with an F1 mulitple startline shunt similar to Hockenheim?

[Rob29]

From todays 'Daily Express'
'Computerised flag signalling in F1 will replace marshals in the Gulf Air Bahrain GP. If the FIA approve the system,which has been under trial successfully,the days of men waving flags at drivers will end soon.The new technology includes miles of cables which cars cross every metre'.

[Alan Green]

thanks for that Rob.

Robotic cranes every 20m to lift the cars out of the way, safety car on 'scalextric' tracks, automatic wind machines to blow debris off the track, etc, etc.

Al.

[andrew_powell98]

I have e-mailed both the circuit and the Bahrain equivelent of the MSA asking about marshalling there, but never even got a response. As CAMs trained the Bahrain marshalls I would guess they are picking some of Austrailian friends.

[Nadine J Lewis]

Originally posted by andrew_powell98
I have e-mailed both the circuit and the Bahrain equivelent of the MSA asking about marshalling there, but never even got a response. As CAMs trained the Bahrain marshalls I would guess they are picking some of Austrailian friends.

As they had a stand at the Autosport show - complete with 3D model (though apparently the lakes won't really be there!)- we thought we would ask the question. Apparently a number of people from the UK have been involved in the training aspect of the circuit - but we did offer ourselves if they wanted experienced marshals - nothing heard as of yet, but will let you know.

[Alpha Charlie 6]

You are quite correct... it is those folks from CAMS who have been given the task of training the locals in Bahrain ,...but several of the Aussies will also be attending...

This is the result of the Chief officials from Bahrain visting several GP's last year... and they decided to enlist the help of those from down under.

[Bostik]

The Bahrain Motor Federation (BMF)has been active for many years and has developed a very good bunch of enthusiastic / experienced marshals(BMF started in 1953 and they have been running FiA International Rallies for many years).
A group of senior marshals went to Oz for training with CAMS, and since to various other GPs too.

You might find their marshals website interesting - http://www.mmc.com.bh/Bahrain_MMC_Home_Page.htm

Re Autosport - the 3D model you saw was the Dubai Autodrome. Bahrain people were not there.

The Technical Director in Bahrain at the BMF is Elie Semaan.
Hope this helps!

[Bostik]

Recent Press Release:

F1 Fever on the streets of Bahrain - London, 13 February 2004

The streets are alive with Formula One - at least they will be in the Kingdom of Bahrain on February 19th when the avenues of Manama will reverberate to the power and passion of a Formula One car.
"F1 Fever" comes to Bahrain in the shape of a Sauber Petronas C22 Grand Prix car that will accelerate down Manama's sea front on the King Faisal Highway in the centre of the Kingdom's capital. The unique spectacle will be the first time that a modern day Formula One car has
driven at speed in the Middle East.

Grand Prix fever is at the centre of everything in Bahrain prior to the first Middle East Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on 04.04.04. The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is round three of the FIA Formula One World Championship.

Before all that though, Manama's streets will vibrate to the sight and sound of Formula One in
its purest form. The Sauber Petronas car will be driven by the team's official test driver, 20-year-old Swiss, Neel Jani. Jani will reach speeds of up to 300 kph on a road traditionally the venue for more sedate forms of transportation. In a specially designated area the car will demonstrate its raw speed and sound in front of an enthusiastic crowd enjoying the side shows
of the "F1 Fever" event.
The chance for Bahrainis to see a Formula One car in action will be the culmination of the "F1 Fever" event that will run from 1400 - 1700 on February 19th . On-track activity will include rally car displays from such luminaries as FIA Middle East Rally Champion Mohammed bin
Sulayem, custom cars and hot rods while a DJ, racing simulators and competitions will keep spectators entertained in the dedicated spectator area.

"F1 Fever" is an important element of the Bahrain International Circuit's promotional strategy
in the region as a taster of Formula One ahead of April's Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. The organisers hope to attract thousands of spectators to experience this preview from Bahrain and the Middle East region.

The Chairman of Bahrain International Circuit Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa said, "This will be a hugely exciting event; an amazing opportunity for everyone here in Bahrain and the region to see and feel at first hand the passion and experience associated with a Formula
One car at full speed for the first time. Everyone, young and old, is invited to enjoy this first taste of this spectacular sport and enjoy a great day out".

[tangoed sparky]

Just checked out there web site its as good as the BMMC site and has even got the photograph from the BMMC home page on there. It also mentions that they need marshals for there GP. I do not think that they would need to pay for flights ect to get some of us lot over there. It would be nice though.

[tangoed sparky]

Hi chaps I have just Emailed the Bahrain Marshals club and asked them to send my any info that they might have on volunteering,accomerdation and flights ect for there GP this year. I have also told them about this web site and forum.
(hope you dont mind me quoting ten-tenths Steven)

[Bostik]

Here's an update from todays Gulf Daily News about marshal training in Bahrain:

SCORES of specially trained marshals will help keep everyone safe when Formula One racing comes to the Bahrain International Circuit in April. Forty-five Bahrain senior marshals have successfully completed a week-long Grand Prix training course, conducted by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (Cams). Eight Cams officials, including seven senior trainers and one administration officer from Australia, were in Bahrain to train the senior marshals.

"We are all experienced trainers from various parts of Australia, highly involved with the Australian Grand Prix," explained Cams National Officiating Programme manager Phyl Stuckey.

They arrived on February 15 and conducted training for flag marshals, track-side position marshals, sectors marshals and fire and rescue officials at the University College of Bahrain, in Saar, until last Saturday.

The officials also conducted a leadership course.

"There are more than 600 marshals registered in Bahrain and we trained 45 men and women, who are all senior marshals," said Ms Stuckey.

"The week-long course included classroom training and practical training."

This was the first time that the Cams officials have visited Bahrain and conducted a training course.

"We are here at the invitation of the Bahrain International Circuit and we are very pleased to have visited Bahrain, which is probably one of the most friendliest places we've ever been to," said Ms Stuckey.

"You have many helpful people here and the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix event organisers are doing a great job at promoting the major event in April."

The marshals who took part in the course were relatively much younger than the marshals often seen in the Australian Grand Prix, observed Ms Stuckey.

"That was one of the first things we noticed, how much younger the marshals are here and we think that it is great that there is a lot of interest in Formula One here," she said.

"Here you have marshals who are in their early 20s, many are Bahrainis and there are more young women."

During last Thursday's F1 Fever event, when a real life F1 car, a Sauber Petronas C22, sped down the King Faisal Highway, the marshals' performance were assessed by the Cams officials.

The officials are set to return to Bahrain a week before the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which will be held from April 2 to 4.

"There will be an actual practical training for the marshals conducted then at the newly completed Bahrain International Circuit," said Ms Stuckey.

"Judging from their performance, I am confident Bahrain's marshals will do spectacularly well."

Cams has been the custodian of motor sport in Australia since 1953.

It is the National Sporting Authority (ASN) for motor sport in Australia and was delegated this responsibility by the Federation Internationale de'l Automobile (FIA) in 1970.

The FIA aims to ensure that motor sport is conducted in accordance with the highest standards of safety and fairness and Cams, together with 163 other ASNs in 119 nations, are committed to carrying out the mission of the FIA.

"We have had the Grand Prix in Australia for a long time and one of Cams' responsibilities include ensuring that all motor sport in Australia is conducted in a manner that secures and enhances the safety of all those involved, including participants, officials, spectators and the public," said Ms Stuckey.

The Cams officials left Bahrain yesterday.

[Andrew Hornsey]

No disrespect to CAMS, but what has happened to the good old days when it was the BMRMC that was pretty much Automatically invited to go out and train people like this!

Are we losing our crown as the best in the world?

[Stephen Green]

Maybe it is the very training that has been given by the BMMC over the years that has led to a more global professional marshalling body?

[Andrew Hornsey]

I know that this is a little off thread, but isn't this what British Motorsport (Or I suppose Britain in general)is all about - produce something that works well/is a great concept/is a world first, and then let the rest of the world overtake us.

From my many years of marshalling, and from working at a circuit, I see what a political beast marshalling is. In the thread about what we want from the BMMC, people say that they want the BMMC to stand on behalf of all of the marshals, and that other clubs should effectivly hand over their marshal sections. There are always going to be people with vested interests in these clubs - people who are at the top of their tree, and do not want to go back to being just another representative on a large commitee.

I sometimes wonder, is it the infighting and *****ing that goes on that is making us slip to (as Bernie calls it) a Third World Country?

[turbo-ww]

Maybe they read these pages and decided they couldn't understand why all anyone does is whinge/*****/moan about how bad things are.

So they went to Australia.

Discuss.

Without whinging/*****ing/moaning

[Andrew Hornsey]

Sorry TurboWW, if that is aimed at me, you need to read my posting agoin, and then put your brain in gear.

I was asking why we didn't train the guys in Bahrain, and looking at the state of Marshalling in the UK.

And I have seen the political side of things, with the BOB name that was given to Silverstone Marshals, the advent of the BRDCMC when people fell out with the BMRMC etc.

I think the problem is that there are too many vested interests in Marshalling. How can british marshalling remain at the top when you have differing circuits which like to do thinngs different ways - for instance IOs at Silverstone being on radio, whilst at most circuits they don't have radios, and at some circuits, you will not find IOs (Well, that was the case 4 or 5 years ago - I have been off the bank for a while).

The MSA had the right idea with the grading scheme, so perhaps they should look at ensuring all circuits/clubs work to the same standards.

[Stephen Green]

I have to admit that if were all members of one club and spoke with one voice, things may be a little easier and our voice may be heard above some others. But, as things stand we have to live with what we have. However, thats not to say we cant gradually try to change things

[turbo-ww]

No Andrew, it was not aimed at you; it was more of a general comment/observation.

I'm sure that a number of different operating methods at various circuits do not help with positive communications

One voice would be marvellous, and a bit optimistic, but we can but trickle the change...

[Mark Mitchell]

The new track at Bahrain will be featured on ITV this Sunday at 2pm
www.itv-f1.com/news/news_story/19876

[275 GTB-4]

Call me a lazy bar steward...but.....a fellow marshall is moving to Qatar....and it has got me thinking....the offer to do a Buck-rain GP is there with my buddy.

So

Without doing any local research yet .....and I know you can pursue an International Marshals Licence (I'm an F3).

Can you just "turn up" at a GP as long as you contact the organisers and get yourself onto the mailing list first ?? or does your home-country sanctioning body have to sanction you for international duties first (signed: confused and wondering maybe that should be ("Dazed and Confused")

[275 GTB-4]

Ohhhhh kaaaay....then ...how bout Qatar....anybody done some meetings over there ???