Becoming a Marshal
Discussion
I am seriously considering becoming a Marshal. I have been in touch with the BMMC and will hopefully be attending a training day early next year. Assuming I enjoy it, and they think I'm up to it, I'm looking forward getting stuck in next season.
Any Marshal's on here? Any advice or info that you think would be useful for me?
Any Marshal's on here? Any advice or info that you think would be useful for me?
lord summerisle said:
theres a few of the orange army on here.
any questions, just ask.
HereBeMonsters said:
Is there a demand for marshals at the moment? Something I've always wanted to do, but it seems there is no shortage of willing volunteers.
theres always a shortage! theres lots of meetings around the country, often on the same weekend and the orange line can get spread rather thin. Some meetings can be theres only one marshal on a post - trying to perform all roles needed - from flagging, observer, incident.... others we can have a large team. 
so if you fancy getting involved - please do - visit the BMMC (British Marshal's website) for details of training days which will be coming up Jan/Feb/March time next year depending on your location. new recuits will always be accepted to join the family.
(the only time i think i can remember hearing about marshals getting turned away was a round of the British Touring Cars at Brands on the indy
blueST said:
Hi there, notice you are in the NW. I'm sending my forms back for the training day at Oulton on the 21st Feb today. For some reason I am slightly nervous which is not like me, bit like when you start a new job.
No worries. its an enjoyable informative day out, the only 'test' will having to go out in the cold to have a try using the fire bottles (under supervision)hopefully will see you out on the bank somewhere - i'm normally found waving bits of coloured cloth at cars
I marshalled from 1983-95. The main things to remember IMO are
1) Take everything you need for the day onto the post with you in a sturdy bag including waterproofs (even in summer!!!!), food and drink
2) Wear boots and gloves
3) Look after yourself - keep an eye on where the cars are coming FROM
The training days are very good and I used to attend one or more every year that I was marshalling. I'd suggest starting with quite big race meetings where you'll be with some experienced marshals and you won't be overloaded. Then quickly get into the clubbies - much lighter on manning levels which builds some good experience and, quite frankly, I used to prefer those anyway.
Hope you enjoy it,
Snailpace
1) Take everything you need for the day onto the post with you in a sturdy bag including waterproofs (even in summer!!!!), food and drink
2) Wear boots and gloves
3) Look after yourself - keep an eye on where the cars are coming FROM
The training days are very good and I used to attend one or more every year that I was marshalling. I'd suggest starting with quite big race meetings where you'll be with some experienced marshals and you won't be overloaded. Then quickly get into the clubbies - much lighter on manning levels which builds some good experience and, quite frankly, I used to prefer those anyway.
Hope you enjoy it,
Snailpace
blueST said:
Unfortunately, I wont have a lot of choice over which meetings as I work shifts including a large number of weekends. I'll just have to pick the events that fall on my weekends off.
Is there any call for marshals during the week? Maybe at test days or track days?
I worked as a weekday testing/trackday marshall at Snetterton during one of my 'redundant' periods!Is there any call for marshals during the week? Maybe at test days or track days?
Was really good fun, and payed about 50 quid a day from memory.
I did 5 years on the bank at Donington doing every single meeting on the calendar.
I had an absolutely brilliant time...sometimes it was cold and wet but dressed properly I dont think I was ever truly miserable and the love of motorsport at all levels always kept me keen to keep going back as did the big fat bacon sarnies and builders tea at sign on and briefing.
I got to meet a lot of famous drivers and nose around some even more famous cars. Being at the circuit so early always gave a good opportunity to go for a wander before the spectators arrived and the orange overalls always got me in places a spectator wouldnt get...Fancy a wander around the pit lane at a BTCC or Brit GT event outside of the spectator crush and before the teams and drivers get to busy? Help yourself!
I also managed to get plenty a nose around historic F1 cars and during the 10 years of Jordan F1 celebrations I got a fantastic walk around a current F1 car...as I did during a historic event that had a current McLaren F1 car doing demo laps that broke down on my post!
If you are interested in how cars are built and engineering then clubbie racing will always prove entertaining to you. The level of ingenuity in some cars is mind boggling, especially when you get to higher levels where you get one offs and silhouette cars.
I saw and was first on the scene to a fair amount of accidents. Nobody was ever killed in my time on the bank though some of those accidents were very serious with the driver needing to be cut free of the car.
I had an absolutely brilliant time...sometimes it was cold and wet but dressed properly I dont think I was ever truly miserable and the love of motorsport at all levels always kept me keen to keep going back as did the big fat bacon sarnies and builders tea at sign on and briefing.
I got to meet a lot of famous drivers and nose around some even more famous cars. Being at the circuit so early always gave a good opportunity to go for a wander before the spectators arrived and the orange overalls always got me in places a spectator wouldnt get...Fancy a wander around the pit lane at a BTCC or Brit GT event outside of the spectator crush and before the teams and drivers get to busy? Help yourself!
I also managed to get plenty a nose around historic F1 cars and during the 10 years of Jordan F1 celebrations I got a fantastic walk around a current F1 car...as I did during a historic event that had a current McLaren F1 car doing demo laps that broke down on my post!
If you are interested in how cars are built and engineering then clubbie racing will always prove entertaining to you. The level of ingenuity in some cars is mind boggling, especially when you get to higher levels where you get one offs and silhouette cars.
I saw and was first on the scene to a fair amount of accidents. Nobody was ever killed in my time on the bank though some of those accidents were very serious with the driver needing to be cut free of the car.
I've been marshaling since I was 17 am now the grand old age of 38 and still going. There aren't as many marshals as there used to be but I don't think I've ever attended a meeting with only one marshal on a post, track day - yes but that's completely different. It is good fun, the people are generally a good laugh and you get the best view of the racing!!
Come along and give it a try, I agree that you need to be prepared for all weathers also, when you think you have enough food/drink in your bag - put some more in as it can be a long day! Oulton Park is my local circuit so maybe see you there next season.
Come along and give it a try, I agree that you need to be prepared for all weathers also, when you think you have enough food/drink in your bag - put some more in as it can be a long day! Oulton Park is my local circuit so maybe see you there next season.
I keep meaning to fill out forms and get my ass in gear.
http://www.marshals.co.uk/
Is the place to sign up I understand.
http://www.marshals.co.uk/
Is the place to sign up I understand.
at least you tried! (that's why I do radio now - sit in a nice warm car)Gassing Station | UK Club Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff