Frst time marshalling in paddock/pit lane any advice?

Andrew Gunnell · 21 Jul 2004, 20:37 (Ref:1042492)

Hello

I will be marshalling in the paddock/pit lane on Friday at Silverstone for the first time. Has anyone got any advice on what to expect and what I could be doing?

Thank you

Andrew

Sheila M · 21 Jul 2004, 20:45 (Ref:1042500)

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew Gunnell
Hello

I will be marshalling in the paddock/pit lane on Friday at Silverstone for the first time. Has anyone got any advice on what to expect and what I could be doing?

Thank you

Andrew

Friday? What's happening?

Andrew Gunnell · 21 Jul 2004, 20:54 (Ref:1042512)

It is the 'MG 80 Silverstone race meeting'

Sheila M · 21 Jul 2004, 21:01 (Ref:1042524)

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew Gunnell
It is the 'MG 80 Silverstone race meeting'

Thought that was Saturday and Sunday?

Andrew Gunnell · 21 Jul 2004, 21:08 (Ref:1042533)

Friday is a test day. Saturday and Sunday are race days.

Sheila M · 21 Jul 2004, 21:13 (Ref:1042542)

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew Gunnell
Friday is a test day. Saturday and Sunday are race days.

Are you just doing the Friday? Because if you are it will be a totally different ball game to Saturday and Sunday

Andrew Gunnell · 21 Jul 2004, 21:15 (Ref:1042544)

I am in the paddock on Friday and on the bank on Sunday

Sheila M · 21 Jul 2004, 21:17 (Ref:1042547)

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew Gunnell
I am in the paddock on Friday and on the bank on Sunday

And the pits on Saturday?

Andrew Gunnell · 21 Jul 2004, 21:21 (Ref:1042551)

No I am just doing Friday and Sunday

Sheila M · 21 Jul 2004, 21:34 (Ref:1042564)

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew Gunnell
No I am just doing Friday and Sunday

Ah I see. In that case I can't be of any assistance as I'm not sure what would be involved in a test day paddock and being on the bank is not my speciality! However, I'm sure you will enjoy it whatever it is you will be doing. Do let us have a report afterwards

Andrew Gunnell · 21 Jul 2004, 21:49 (Ref:1042577)

Sheila M

Thank you for tryng to help and I will report back.

Andrew

Sheila M · 21 Jul 2004, 22:01 (Ref:1042585)

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew Gunnell
Sheila M

Thank you for tryng to help and I will report back.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew,

So sorry I couldn't be of any further help.

However, if you want to try your hand at pit marshalling, I am the chief pit marshal for BARC and 750 in the Midlands (at Donington or Mallory) and would be glad to help. Alternatively, if you prefer Silverstone or Rockingham (or again, Donington or Mallory) then MelanieJSmith is the person to contact as she is the Chief Pit Marshal for BRSCC in the Midlands.

Sheila

John Newman · 21 Jul 2004, 22:36 (Ref:1042622)

Try Dave Heard at david.heard@which.net
he knows the ropes.

Sheila M · 21 Jul 2004, 22:39 (Ref:1042625)

Quote:

Originally posted by John Newman
Try Dave Heard at david.heard@which.net
he knows the ropes.

Knows them? John, he MADE them!! With assistance from Mike Abbott and Dennis Harris!

mark_l · 22 Jul 2004, 05:03 (Ref:1042829)

Andrew,

My only advice is KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN!

Piglet · 22 Jul 2004, 08:13 (Ref:1042910)

Can't comment on what you might need to do for a test day but the basics are:

Don't just keep your eyes open keep your ears open and any other sense that you have online. Don't turn your back on the incoming traffic, don't stand with your back on the track - you'd be amazed how far over the debris fence stuff can fly if there is a collision on the track - you need to be able to see it happening.

Don't wander up the fast lane of the pit lane, always walk on the concrete but be aware of cars coming out of the garages.

Always be aware of what is happening ALL of the time, if you see mechanics and a set of tyres out in the pit lane it means that the car is coming in and avoiding you will not be their priority.

On a personal level if someone asks you a question and you don't know the answer then say so - don't blag it - things have a nasty habit of coming back to bite you - send them to someone in race control who will know the answer.

Always remember that in this area, possibly more than anywhere else, the teams are your customers for the day, always be polite, never get into a slanging match with anyone - they've got their own problems to deal and tempers are often a little frayed if things are going pear shaped.

Last of all enjoy it, chat to the teams by all means but remember that you are there as a professional to do a job. Then get in touch with Shelia and come and do it for real one weekend!

(it goes unsaid that you don't EVER blag anything from a team or try to autograph collect etc.......)

Boo Boo · 22 Jul 2004, 13:00 (Ref:1043374)

a

Sheila M · 22 Jul 2004, 20:28 (Ref:1043854)

wise words indeed Piglet!!

Andrew Gunnell · 22 Jul 2004, 21:03 (Ref:1043891)

Mark-l and Piglet - Thank you for the advice.

Sheila M and John Newman - thank you for the contacts.

Sheila M - If I want to do pit marshalling again after tomorrow, do I go through the club organising the event or to the cheif pit marshal of the event?

Andrew

Sheila M · 22 Jul 2004, 21:05 (Ref:1043895)

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew Gunnell
Mark-l and Piglet - Thank you for the advice.

Sheila M and John Newman - thank you for the contacts.

Sheila M - If I want to do pit marshalling again after tomorrow, do I go through the club organising the event or to the cheif pit marshal of the event?

Andrew

You would volunteer through the club organising the event

Andrew Gunnell · 23 Jul 2004, 19:27 (Ref:1044959)

I have had an interesting day at Silverstone. I was in assembly where I was asking the drivers if they had their wrist bands on and that their fire extinguisher pins were out, and also directing the drivers where to go in the assembly area.
It was insteresting to see an event from another view point and I would like to see how it is done during a race day.
Although one question I am not sure on is, do hand held fire extinguisher have to have their point one or not?

Andrew

Sheila M · 23 Jul 2004, 19:41 (Ref:1044971)

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew Gunnell
I have had an interesting day at Silverstone. I was in assembly where I was asking the drivers if they had their wrist bands on and that their fire extinguisher pins were out, and also directing the drivers where to go in the assembly area.
It was insteresting to see an event from another view point and I would like to see how it is done during a race day.
Although one question I am not sure on is, do hand held fire extinguisher have to have their point one or not?

Andrew

HI Andrew, Glad you had an interesting day and that you would like to do it again. As I said before Melanie or I would be glad to see you at any of our meetings. Just volunteer through the club concerned and you will be made welcome.

As to hand held extinguisher pins, there are varying thoughts on this. Some scutineers insist that the pins are out as otherewise the extinguisher is not "armed". My personal view is that the pins should remain in but with the tie wrap taken off, this way, if it should become detached from its mounting it can't go off accidentally. But, this is just my personal view, and you should always check on the day what the official viewpoint is.

Sheila

Kicking-back · 23 Jul 2004, 21:26 (Ref:1045085)

Sheila's a mine of information as usual

Sheila M · 23 Jul 2004, 21:29 (Ref:1045089)

Quote:

Originally posted by Kicking-back
Sheila's a mine of information as usual

You missed out "useless" Kicking-back!

Andrew Gunnell · 23 Jul 2004, 22:54 (Ref:1045152)

Thank you Sheila for answering my question and hopeful I will be at an event in the pits before the year is out.

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