Discussion
Because life just isn't dramatic enough at the moment, I am going to get into motorsport marshalling. I am signing up for a taster day in the autumn at Donnington.
I am a married middle aged lady with two SN kids. I love classic cars and driving but am not going to hold my own as a car anorak/enthusiast. The thought has occurred to me, am I going to make a tit of myself?
I am a married middle aged lady with two SN kids. I love classic cars and driving but am not going to hold my own as a car anorak/enthusiast. The thought has occurred to me, am I going to make a tit of myself?
Good luck, I hope you enjoy it. It's great to get close to the cars and be involved in events without just being in the crowd watching.
However, I dipped a toe into it a few years ago volunteering for rally marshalling via the civil service motoring association. I did a couple of events at Longcross which was interesting enough, but my "colleagues" seemed to be close cousins with the 4x4 Response type, really not the people I enjoyed hanging about with!
However, I dipped a toe into it a few years ago volunteering for rally marshalling via the civil service motoring association. I did a couple of events at Longcross which was interesting enough, but my "colleagues" seemed to be close cousins with the 4x4 Response type, really not the people I enjoyed hanging about with!
If its the one in September I'll be there too. Been watching motor sport for years, thought I'd give this a go. 
Most of the Marshalls I speak to are very normal and just enthusiastic petrol heads. Yes, beards and hats are common but it takes all sorts to give up weekends to help others out.
Please find the time to say hello to the competitors in the paddock. It gives us (well me) a chance to thank you for your time to make our weekend possible. Otherwise if we see you again when we have just blown up or been punted off, “thank you” isn’t the first thing on our mind!
Please find the time to say hello to the competitors in the paddock. It gives us (well me) a chance to thank you for your time to make our weekend possible. Otherwise if we see you again when we have just blown up or been punted off, “thank you” isn’t the first thing on our mind!
Love marshals.
No marshals, no motorsport - you won't make a tit of yourself. It's like all walks of life, some are wallys some are nice. But in my experience they are broadly friendly and helpful.
They aren't casual about procedure - and a good thing too, lives are at stake - but they have a good reason, so the 4x4 response comparisons are probably a little unfair
No marshals, no motorsport - you won't make a tit of yourself. It's like all walks of life, some are wallys some are nice. But in my experience they are broadly friendly and helpful.
They aren't casual about procedure - and a good thing too, lives are at stake - but they have a good reason, so the 4x4 response comparisons are probably a little unfair
As a competitor, I don't care why you are there, or whether you have a beard, a hat or anything else which keeps you dry or comfortable, the most important thing is that you are there. As said earlier, without the efforts of the marshals there wouldn't be any motorsport, so I am extremely grateful for the time given up and the dedication of marshals all over the country. I hope you enjoy it and continue to be involved.
Definitely do it. I've marshalled for the last 20+ years (temporary halt for kids and other motorsport committments), excellent fun and gets you properly involved for free. You need proper gear for every weather possibility, excellent footwear, a nice seat, good food, expect the unexpected, and always look in the direction of where the cars are coming from (unless waving a yellow flag of course!).
If you're there mainly to see the cars you can sign up to be a pit marshal or an assembly marshal where you make sure all the cars go to the grid in the right order. Not everyone has to be out on the circuit but when you are out there, be safe.
There are lots of jobs available so hopefully you'll find one you love.
There are lots of jobs available so hopefully you'll find one you love.
prand said:
my "colleagues" seemed to be close cousins with the 4x4 Response type, really not the people I enjoyed hanging about with!
You were probably just unlucky, I get to wander about trackside with a camera so I have lots of interaction with marshalls and whilst you'd assume the role might attract all manner of self important idiots the reality is very different. Top tip for the OP is to take a good packed lunch and plenty of fluids. My missus did a taster day once and assumed she's be able to nip off for a burger at lunch but as is the way, things over ran, lunch came and went and I had to make a mercy dash to the circuit to take her some sandwiches.
Did a taster day myself at Croft last weekend. Enjoyed it and have signed up to do more.
Have done several trackdays there and have been to spectate at a few events now. I wanted to give something back and the bonus being I get to see more motorsport and meet some new people.
Once i get my ticket I'm hoping to marshall at croft and Donnington so may see you on the sidelines one day.
Have done several trackdays there and have been to spectate at a few events now. I wanted to give something back and the bonus being I get to see more motorsport and meet some new people.
Once i get my ticket I'm hoping to marshall at croft and Donnington so may see you on the sidelines one day.
In regards to the 4x4 crew comments, I did experience similar on a number of occasions but some people just love to have a tiny bit of power and control.
As above, take lots of food and a flask of tea. You'll sometimes get 5 minutes between races to gobble down a few fig rolls and half a cup of tea. It really helps when energy levels are low.
When you go to Donington for the first time it can be tricky to find the marshal sign on (if it's still in the centre of the circuit). You need to drive onto the track and turn off on the infield of turn 1. Driving around the track doesn't get old but make sure you don't crash or you'll be famous in race control forever.
As above, take lots of food and a flask of tea. You'll sometimes get 5 minutes between races to gobble down a few fig rolls and half a cup of tea. It really helps when energy levels are low.
When you go to Donington for the first time it can be tricky to find the marshal sign on (if it's still in the centre of the circuit). You need to drive onto the track and turn off on the infield of turn 1. Driving around the track doesn't get old but make sure you don't crash or you'll be famous in race control forever.
Thanks for all the feedback, it's really useful stuff.
So I'll need to go invest in some new walking boots. The ones I've got right now are more like trainers and don't offer much protection. I also noticed somewhere about not wearing synthetics because they might melt under the suit. 8-0
So I'll need to go invest in some new walking boots. The ones I've got right now are more like trainers and don't offer much protection. I also noticed somewhere about not wearing synthetics because they might melt under the suit. 8-0
I wonder whether Rallying by its nature attracts the 4x4 response type? I'm the other side of the fence at the British GP and MotoGP and can't ever recall meeting a marshall sporting an unkempt beard nor bush hat. Never met an arrogant or officious one yet either.
When my family and working life allows it, I intend to move over trackside to join the people in Proban.
When my family and working life allows it, I intend to move over trackside to join the people in Proban.
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