How to become a marshall/clerk of course?

[jnr blue 91]

how do you become a marshall/clerk of course in karting or any other catagory??

thanks

[mandyh000]

www.marshals.co.uk

[Clive]

Just go along to your local kart circuit and sign on.
Where are you based, so we can maybe put you in touch with someone near you?

[Steve Tarrant]

Originally Posted by jnr blue 91

how do you become a marshall/clerk of course in karting or any other catagory??

thanks

Clive's comment is right, BUT your profile shows your age as under 16 at present. That will mean there are restrictions where you can go currently, for your own safety, but you could be a runner for the results service and jobs like that.

That can be used to foster your interest, see how a race meeting is run, who does what jobs, etc, and then when you are old enough, you can start in one of the jobs you have seen and want to try for.

Never feel afraid of asking questions or seeking opinions from those with experience. You can learn so much that way.


Steve

[kipper]

Hello,

I was going to start a new thread, but seeing as this has only just been opened, I thought I'd hijack it. Basically, having finally left university and gained a real job, I have lots of free weekends which I can use for motorsport as opposed to taking the occasional trip to an event. Given that I am likely to be attending a number of events (particuarly clubbies) the idea of marshalling and being a bit involved in motorsport does seem rather appealing.

As a result, I do have a number of questions that I would appreciate some answers to and indeed advice. Firstly, how does one become a marshal and volunteer for a particular event? Secondly, would I be able to marshal for events towards the tail end of this year or would I be better off waiting until 2007 and doing a couple of training days first? Thirdly, is it worth joining a club, in particularly the BMMC? Finally, what equipment would I require and can anyone recommend a supplier of the rather fetching orange overalls? Also, with regard to waterproofs, I have some really good green ones, would these be a problem to use given their similarities with flags?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and sorry for so many questions,

Many thanks,

Ben

PS. I am quite fond of the occasional pork pie.

[Grandslammer]

Hi Ben,glad to see your interest in Marshalling
Firstly, you can volunteer through the organising club direct,BARC,BRSCC,750MC,HSCC,etc or perhaps via Julians website at www.marshals.org.uk
Secondly,there's no real reason why you couldn't give it a go towards the end of the year,'try before you buy'
The major training days happen around Jan/Feb.
Thirdly, joining a Club is not compulsory,personally I like to be affiliated to one or three
As for equipment,I wouldn't try and buy it all in one go,can be expensive and you might not like Marshalling.
Dip your toes in the water first,so to speak.
Green is ok
Does this mean you'll be frequenting Silverstone now,or further afield ?

[Hepatic]

1> check out www.marshals.co.uk, lots of useful info there.
2> volunteering is done via the organising clubs, different areas have slightly different ways of going about it. Oulton / Anglesey have a single form for the whole year, but if you want to get yer feet wet this year the best bet is to contact the chief marshal for an event you are interested in.
3> you can marshal anytime you want, no need to wait til next year 'cos if you explain you are new the CM will ensure you go with an experienced marshal who will show you the ropes.
4> joining clubs is a matter of preference, so do some don't. the key thing is you don't have to be a member to marshal.
5> equipment wise, you'll find a lot of good info on the marshals site. the probans are supplied by AWS (http://www.advanced-wear.co.uk/p_marshal.htm) and apart from some good, sturdy shoes you won't need much else. Green waterproofs could be an issue if its the coat, always try and avoid flag colours where possible. For trousers it's not so much of an issue.

Glad to see more people interested - i was talking to 3 15yr old lads at the weekend who were also keen to join

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by kipper

Firstly, how does one become a marshal and volunteer for a particular event?

Just contact the chief marshal for the event you fancy. Consider hill-climbs too - there's a meeting at Prescott 23/24th this month.

Secondly, would I be able to marshal for events towards the tail end of this year or would I be better off waiting until 2007 and doing a couple of training days first?

Get stuck in. You'll be looked after for the first couple, and a training day will make more sense if you've a little experience of what it's talking about

Thirdly, is it worth joining a club, in particularly the BMMC?

Your decision, although BMMC does a good insurance deal and discounted overalls.

Finally, what equipment would I require and can anyone recommend a supplier of the rather fetching orange overalls?

See above for ovies, but not necessary to begin with. Comfortable boots for standing all day, gloves (you'll probably be able to borrow some on post), food, drink and a sense of humour should suffice.

Also, with regard to waterproofs, I have some really good green ones, would these be a problem to use given their similarities with flags?

Not a problem, just avoid hi-vis yellow.

PS. I am quite fond of the occasional pork pie.

I take it all back, you're not coming on MY post with one of them

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally Posted by jnr blue 91

how do you become a marshall/clerk of course in karting or any other catagory??

thanks

As above but a Clerks role, in whatever discipline is something to work towards........in say ten years!
The Clerks need to be experienced officials with an understanding of all aspects of how an event is organised and run.
This can only be achieved after many years IMHO!

Nothing wrong with pitching your stall though!

[Clive]

Originally Posted by kipper

...As a result, I do have a number of questions that I would appreciate some answers to and indeed advice. ..

BMMC South Mids are holding a training evening for new marshals (or would be marshals) next Wednesday 20th Sept at 7.45pm at The Red Lion Fosters Booth, near J15A on the M1 (it's actually on teh A5 4 miles north of Towcester). You would be most welcome to come along and hopefully find answers to your questions

Clive Wayland
BMMC Sth Mids Training Officer

[Peter Harding]

Kipper - The information given is all good and the only thing I can add is:

"Volunteers in Motorsport" are providing clubs with a small supply of overalls to lend on the day to newcomers to avoid costs before you are sure. I already have these, so , when you arrive, ask the chief marshal and I am sure he/she will have something your size.

You might also like to look through the volunteersinmotorsport web site.

[The STIG]

I see you are a Pembrey person Kipper! May I suggest that you come to the October BARC meeting - FWoman and Trucks...

If you do, contact Sara Wernham at Thruxton who should be able to put you in touch with the chief Marshal, Ernie.

I got into Marshaling at Pembrey by accident, when I met a security gaurd and just explained that I was interested in Marshalling, then got introduced to Ernie and haven't looked back.

Give us a PM if you want help or info.

[Woolley]

And to reply to the original poster, who we've overlooked slightly. All of the above applies, except that you won't be able to do an on-track job until you are 16. There's plenty of opportunities for off-course, so contact your local circuit and see what they've got to offer.

[kipper]

Firstly, thanks for all the replies - its much appreciated.

Thanks for the various links to websites, I shall be taking a good look in due course.

Originally Posted by Clive

BMMC South Mids are holding a training evening for new marshals (or would be marshals) next Wednesday 20th Sept at 7.45pm at The Red Lion Fosters Booth, near J15A on the M1

Seems like some good timing - is it OK to turn up or do I need to let someone know that I'd like to attend?

Originally Posted by Woolley

Consider hill-climbs too

I have to admit that I hadn't up until now, but I will certainly get to some sooner or later.

Originally Posted by Woolley

You're not coming on MY post with one of them

Note to self - take alternative savoury products just incase I end up on the same post as Woolley, I wouldn't want to go hungry.

Originally Posted by Grandslammer

Does this mean you'll be frequenting Silverstone now,or further afield

Probably Silverstone will feature quite prominantly, but theres lots of other great motorsport, so I'll be venturing further afield and a couple of trips to Combe will happen at some point - maybe the Carnival for starters.

Originally Posted by The STIG

May I suggest that you come to the October BARC meeting - FWoman and Trucks

Unfortunantly, I believe that I am spoken for on that weekend plus I do live rather a long way from the place, that said I do really like Pembrey so its likely that I will find myself there for the occasional meeting.

Thanks once again for all the responses and I hope to share a post with some of you at some point.

Ben

[Clive]

PM me for details

[johngee]

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

As above but a Clerks role, in whatever discipline is something to work towards........in say ten years!
The Clerks need to be experienced officials with an understanding of all aspects of how an event is organised and run.
This can only be achieved after many years IMHO!

Thanks Mark - I wondered how I got there!!!

[Shelagh]

Well.......there's not only you but most of the others, too.....Julian Floyd, Dave Brice............

Seriously, though, John, having worked with you in race control and having seen you in orange overalls (with those year badges reaching from chest to knee), I think you might just qualify as "experienced".

So, if anyone wonders why "that bloke" is clerk and "does he know what's what", chances are - he does!!!!

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally Posted by Shelagh

So, if anyone wonders why "that bloke" is clerk and "does he know what's what", chances are - he does!!!!

..........and if he doesn't, he'll ask a Marshal!

[Kat:o)]

Hi I thougt i'd ask my question in this thread in stead of opening a new one...

I'm a 17 year old girl and i've been into motorsport for ages and been going to more and more races over the last few years now I really want to get involved in marshalling... but i dont really know where to start! My familly arent interested in car racing at all (and my friends think marshallings too anoraky!!) and im a bit scared of turning up on my own and not knowing anything but i really want to get involved!
from reading this thread i guess i need to get in touch with my local club but again i dont really know how - i'm in surrey so if anone could point me in the right direction?! Also i guess I would need to get some training and overalls or does that come later?

Any help and advice would be really appreciated
katie

[Shelagh]

As referred to earlier in this thread: www.marshals.co.uk will take you to the British Motor Racing Marshals club site.

I, personally, am not a member of any other club although some people are. I won't mention other car clubs here because I'll probably miss some, but there is also the BRDC Marshals Club who operate at Silverstone.

Get your friends to read some of the stuff on here and I'm sure they will realise that we all hail from a wide variety of backgrounds and there ain't anything "anoraky" about any of us! I certainly don't consider myself in that vein. Yes, we all love stuff with 4 (or 2) wheels but that is probably the only thing we do have in common! Oh, and a penchant for madness.......

[archaic gold]

Originally Posted by Kat:o)

Hi I thougt i'd ask my question in this thread in stead of opening a new one...
i'm in surrey so if anone could point me in the right direction?! Also i guess I would need to get some training and overalls or does that come later?

Any help and advice would be really appreciated
katie

Firstly, welcome to the Mad Mad World of Marshalling; and you have taken the first important step in coming onto our Website.
You are in Surrey, so, as I am sure you are aware, Thruxton, Goodwood and Brands Hatch are your local Circuits. Shelagh is quite correct, go onto www.marshals.co.uk which is the official website for the BMMC which covers all disciplines of Marshalling.
As far as overalls; just turn up on your fist Meeting; and I am sure you will wish to Marshal, in stout weatherproof clothing. Orange Proban overalls will come later when you are sure you wish to continue.
As far as Training is concerned, you will be firstly placed on a Marshals Post with experienced Marshals who will be only to keen to put you wise to the enjoyment; and dangers; of Marshalling. Formal Training in classrooms and outside normally takes place during the quiet season, January to March each year, and held at Circuits across the country. Again, information on these is normally published well in advance and takes place at weekends.
I hope this helps!!!

[johngee]

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

..........and if he doesn't, he'll ask a Marshal!

True - the major and most reliable source of all information - and gossip

[jnr blue 91]

retaking back this thread the reason why i ask is because for my btec pe course that i have to do i have to take part in a "refereeing" role and as a keen motorsport member i thought about asking on here.so what jobs would be likel;y to someone aged 16-??

thanks
harry hunter
www.hhkarting.tk

[Woolley]

Well, you could do Finish Paddock at Shelsley or other hillclimb, or paddock duties at a race circuit.

[jnr blue 91]

what sort of jobs would that include???
because travel may be a broblem,the closest track to me would be a kart one where they hold car sprints and kart racing,would i be likely to take part in jobs there???