Trucks @ Brands 5/6 Nov

[garybirch]

Having never been to a truck event before, I wondered what people's thoughts and suggestions were. Is there anything anyone does differently on the bank? What are your do's and dont's?

Unfortunately I'm only available for the Saturday so won't actually see them race, but there is a short qualifying session of trucks. I'm actually quite looking forward to the crazy clios and ginettas, plus I've not seen legends for ages.

[Eddy V]

Originally Posted by garybirch

Is there anything anyone does differently on the bank? What are your do's and dont's?

Depending where you are posted: stay well clear of the armco. If it gets hit by a truck:

Make sure you stand on solid ground, not on a slope.
Never stand between armco and a fence, unless enough space between them, better to stand behind the fence.
Never put a bottle near the armco: flying bottles !

The chief marshal will probably tell all where they may and may not stand during the trucks. Some posts will be a no go place for marshals for the trucks.

Remember: they are big, heavy and fast.

[Grandslammer]

I've only done Trucks At Pembrey and in the early years at Silverstone.
Cannot comment on Brands but at Pembrey most Posts are evacuated to a safe distance when the Trucks are out .
Also, used to be nobody attends an incident until the session/race as been neutralised,think that's still the case .

[Caramba]

I've done loads of truck meetings at Pembrey over the years.
As Grandslammer says nobody is allowed trackside to an incident until the session is neutralised - even if it there's a major shunt.
On all 'straight on' posts the marshalls move up the banking to a safe (!) point.
While a few years ago the series was struggling it's picked up big time in the last 2 years with some quick (& very sideways on times) trucks.

[Mike Kelly 1]

Only done trucks once (at Donington a number of years ago). When they were on track the only people on post were the Observer and flag marshal, the incident team moved back into the spectator area and only moved trackside if the race was stopped. Not sure how they are going to work it this weekend, s'pose we'll find out when we get on post.

[The STIG]

Done trucks once.

Advice

retire to a safe distance - preferably in the specator areas (ala Pembrey)!

oh and keep your eyes open for corner cutting, especially by truck 69, and bits falling off.

and hope that none of them dump mysterious foul smelling gunk around the circuit!

[Stephen Green]

I've done loads of truck meetings at Brands and if the past is anything to go by, marshals posts are moved behind the debris fence for trucks. They used to erect scaffold towers in the spectator enclosure for the Observer and Flag marshals but I'm not sure if that will be the case this time.

Eddy gives great advice which is well worth remembering. Also it is even more important with trucks that you make sure you are facing oncoming traffic at all times!

[PipSqueak111]

As a trainee flaggie I've not flagged trucks before. Do they follow the normal flagging conventions, or do they have any special instructions on flagging?

[Stephen Green]

Normal I believe...

[b1ackcr0w]

I've done a few at Thruxton. You should find that you're either evacuated, or work at a much greater distance than normal. If you do have to be in a 'live' position, just plan you're escape route!

I'll be there for Ten-Tenths radio by the way. Twill be odd to be there without Probans on. Looking forward to a bit of tenther spotting

[garybirch]

I'll be flagging so we'll see what joys that brings!
I'll try to get my tenther badge on my probans before tomorrow!

[Bodysnatcher]

Did trucks many times in the dim distant past when I was young, keen and needed regular fixes of motorsport. Like all motorsport's varieties, you've got to suck it and see if you like the flavour.
Me, I would'nt do a truck only meeting ever again, but I hope to be down Sunday, the 2 races being just enough I reckon.

Let's face it, a truck only meeting could get very,very tedious. There was a distinct lack of overtaking during racing, that's of course if you could see them behind the smoke they chuck out.
Circuit repairs could be prolonged, trucks go through armco like it was made of wet toilet paper.

As I vaguely remember only some posts were manned at Brands for trucking, and as Stepen said Obs & flags were raised up on high.
I can remember doing 3 ( from spectator area, behind the ambulance gate), a combined 5/6 (again spectator area), 9 (from back of pits/assembly), 23 (or 22a as it was, again from spectator area). Pretty sure the others were all stood down. Can't remember if 1 & 24 were manned.

[Red Baron]

Truck racing at Pembrey and Thruxton has been great this year. I've only ever seen them at brands on video, but it loks great!!!


Rosie

[Gridlock]

Only done Trucks once at Thruxton. Most of the marshals evacuated out of harms way, however I was on post one and it is quite a sight to see lorries three abreast coming straight for you past the pits? Does anyone know why they dont evacuate post one or were they trying to tell me something?????

[Stephen Green]

Blackcrow, the best way to meet us unruly ten-tenthers is to be in Hailwoods for sign on Sunday morning and join us all for breakfast! I'll be sporting the red trainers as usual...

[garybirch]

You there saturday stephen and blackcrow?

[Stephen Green]

Afraid not Gary, only Sunday as I have loads of work to do at home tomorrow.

[garybirch]

ne'r mind!
I'm only there Sat unfortunately - working Sunday but needed the extra date for the Grand Prix next year.

[Stephen Green]

Stick your form into Chris regardless, you may well be asked to attend!

[PipSqueak111]

Originally Posted by b1ackcr0w

I'll be there for Ten-Tenths radio by the way. Twill be odd to be there without Probans on. Looking forward to a bit of tenther spotting

I'll try to my remember my Ten-Tenths cap then. Only marshalling on the Saturday, taking our Scout group to spectate on the Sunday.

I've been teaching my Cubs about marshalling, so it's my fault if you have a horde of 8 year olds asking loads of questions or heckling you for using the wrong flags!

Phill

[garybirch]

Steve,
this is my 12th event so I've got the dates. Only problem is the new date is one I might not be able to do! However I've already handed the form in to Adrian Fawdington at Combe, along with my cards for upgrading from course to flag. Any idea how long the MSA might take to ge that sorted?

[Stephen Green]

It rather depends on how long it takes Adrian to process it first...I suggest you give Adrian a call at the end of the month to see how far things have progressed.

[Cynic]

Silly question time - where's the officials car park? Up till now I've always parked with the speccy's.

[garybirch]

normally the triangle of grass opposite the paddock entrance. sometimes just into the entrance (not through the gates, just the driveway) and up on the right.

[spottymarshal]

Stephen

Sign on according to the instructions is in the Scrutineering Bay has this changed?