Discussion
s3fella said:
No. Then you'd get a bunch of jobsworth t
ts or min wage grunts doing it for Serco or the like.
As you say, they do a great job, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
They're really highly trained if you think about it; probably on par with a branch of the emergency services. It'd cost far too much to get it done on a commercial basis. ts or min wage grunts doing it for Serco or the like. As you say, they do a great job, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Two other good reasons not to pay them:
i) complete impartiality - since they aren't beholden to anyone for income, they don't have to follow any budget holders' orders and can concentrate on keeping everyone safe
ii) support for other events which couldn't pay. If we didn't have the same high-quality marshalling available for all events, the "lower" formulae, club events, track days etc. couldn't happen as successfully and safely as they do
It would be nice, though, to see event organisers putting something into a pot to provide facilities/refreshments/expenses/equipment for marshals (note, only one "l" for this type, or two if you want to talk about my family) at all events (if that doesn't already happen).
[and they already get the best seats at every event - that should be enough pay for them
]
i) complete impartiality - since they aren't beholden to anyone for income, they don't have to follow any budget holders' orders and can concentrate on keeping everyone safe
ii) support for other events which couldn't pay. If we didn't have the same high-quality marshalling available for all events, the "lower" formulae, club events, track days etc. couldn't happen as successfully and safely as they do
It would be nice, though, to see event organisers putting something into a pot to provide facilities/refreshments/expenses/equipment for marshals (note, only one "l" for this type, or two if you want to talk about my family) at all events (if that doesn't already happen).
[and they already get the best seats at every event - that should be enough pay for them
]Edited by marshalla on Sunday 30th June 23:50
marshalla said:
Two other good reasons not to pay them:
i) complete impartiality - since they aren't beholden to anyone for income, they don't have to follow any budget holders' orders and can concentrate on keeping everyone safe
ii) support for other events which couldn't pay. If we didn't have the same high-quality marshalling available for all events, the "lower" formulae, club events, track days etc. couldn't happen as successfully and safely as they do
It would be nice, though, to see event organisers putting something into a pot to provide facilities/refreshments/expenses/equipment for marshals (note, only one "l" for this type, or two if you want to talk about my family) at all events (if that doesn't already happen).
[and they already get the best seats at every event - that should be enough pay for them ]
I was pondering this yesterday as I think it was said on the BBC coverage that there were 1,100 volunters working at Silverstone over the weekend. I was thinking to myself that it is strange that one of the worlds richest sports with so much money being taken out of it relies on so many volunteers although at the same time as said in lower formulas they can't afford to pay marshalls.i) complete impartiality - since they aren't beholden to anyone for income, they don't have to follow any budget holders' orders and can concentrate on keeping everyone safe
ii) support for other events which couldn't pay. If we didn't have the same high-quality marshalling available for all events, the "lower" formulae, club events, track days etc. couldn't happen as successfully and safely as they do
It would be nice, though, to see event organisers putting something into a pot to provide facilities/refreshments/expenses/equipment for marshals (note, only one "l" for this type, or two if you want to talk about my family) at all events (if that doesn't already happen).
[and they already get the best seats at every event - that should be enough pay for them
]Edited by marshalla on Sunday 30th June 23:50
The real answer surely is that F1 and any other profitable formula and the circuits should be contributing to a fund to pay for volunteer training, volunteer insurance and volunteer kit. It was mentioned on Radio Le Mans that marshalls there were having to contribute towards their overalls. Surely volunteers are giving enough by giving their time whether its on a race weekend or in training and they should not have to bear other costs in addition to this, as without the volunteers the event cannot happen.
Chrisgr31 said:
I was pondering this yesterday as I think it was said on the BBC coverage that there were 1,100 volunters working at Silverstone over the weekend. I was thinking to myself that it is strange that one of the worlds richest sports with so much money being taken out of it relies on so many volunteers although at the same time as said in lower formulas they can't afford to pay marshalls.
The real answer surely is that F1 and any other profitable formula and the circuits should be contributing to a fund to pay for volunteer training, volunteer insurance and volunteer kit. It was mentioned on Radio Le Mans that marshalls there were having to contribute towards their overalls. Surely volunteers are giving enough by giving their time whether its on a race weekend or in training and they should not have to bear other costs in addition to this, as without the volunteers the event cannot happen.
I believe some funds do come through from the MSA. I heard mention of drivers fines helping out (Thanks Plato & co in the BTCC for the cash!). I've only just started but I viewed the overalls as heavily subsidised and therefore not bad value. You get a cracking view, and you're involved with the experience a lot more than you are as a spectator.The real answer surely is that F1 and any other profitable formula and the circuits should be contributing to a fund to pay for volunteer training, volunteer insurance and volunteer kit. It was mentioned on Radio Le Mans that marshalls there were having to contribute towards their overalls. Surely volunteers are giving enough by giving their time whether its on a race weekend or in training and they should not have to bear other costs in addition to this, as without the volunteers the event cannot happen.
I just wish I had more free weekends. I didn't realise I was so busy until I tried to find weekends to do it.
I do it regularly on rally stages. Surprising how often people think it's a paid task.
I just do it for the love of the sport really. I'll regularly get a text from a Stage Commander or Clerk of Course the night before if they're stuck. If they don't get the junctions manned, often it can't run. I'm part of a club though and we get sponsored for some of the kit. Very little is provided by the motor clubs themselves.
I just do it for the love of the sport really. I'll regularly get a text from a Stage Commander or Clerk of Course the night before if they're stuck. If they don't get the junctions manned, often it can't run. I'm part of a club though and we get sponsored for some of the kit. Very little is provided by the motor clubs themselves.
Chrisgr31 said:
The real answer surely is that F1 and any other profitable formula and the circuits should be contributing to a fund to pay for volunteer training, volunteer insurance and volunteer kit.
they do - The Motor Racing Safety Fund - albeit voluntarilyhttp://www.blencolour.com/motorsportsafetyfund
I believe the MSA also provide funding for training
& none of us marshals pay for insurance, it comes with the MSA race permit & can be topped up dependant on which club, if any, you choose to belong to.
Chrisgr31 said:
It was mentioned on Radio Le Mans that marshalls there were having to contribute towards their overalls. Surely volunteers are giving enough by giving their time whether its on a race weekend or in training and they should not have to bear other costs in addition to this, as without the volunteers the event cannot happen.
Marshals at Le Mans have always (well as far back as the 80s) had their overalls provided, sponsored by Dunlop. Never flame proof, and until last year, white. Marshals allowed to keep them. I think I have 17 sets now...Twice (I think) overalls were provided FOC at the British GP, when they were sponsored by the RAC. Proper "British" orange (forgive me, Silverstoners) and flame proof. Marshals were allowed to keep them.
At other F1 events overalls are provided, but normally they have to be returned at the end.
Janesy B said:
I think the ones good/experienced enough to make it into the British GP should be rewarded somehow 
and the ones experienced enough to know that F1 is not the be all and end all?Please - keep it basically as it is. The only thing I'd like to see change at the British GP is better catering. How about a proper sit down catered meal, rather than a (if you're brave enough) burger & a can of beer (no substitutes allowed). Free basic breakfast each day - c'mon MSVR Brands can find the budget for it.
Agree with the sentiment here..
Would never Marshal f1, BTCC is bad enough ;-) - much prefer a nice relaxed clubby meet as we had at Oulton this Saturday with the BRSCC - It's always nice to have a great bunch of drivers especially well behaved ones - makes everybodies hobbies a lot easier ;-).
My first and third sets of overalls have been heavily subsidised via the BMMC club, the other set were a freebie from Britcar for Marshaling the 24hr one year.
We do at least 1 training day a year with additional fire training with the specialist rescue units and fire crews doing a lot more. Your basic marshal has three responsibilities - keeping himself safe, then the fellow marshals and then only then looking after the drivers - we're trained enough to give basic first aid and to know what not to do - before the rescue units with doctors etc arrive - usually within 90 seconds..
Oulton park on a nice sunny day with the sound of v8's in my ears - heaven is a place on earth!
You lucky folks at brands - free bacon rolls - not something that Mr Palmer has seen fit to replicate at his empires northernmost outpost, I'm sure if he did it woudl be well recieved by all.
Simes.
Would never Marshal f1, BTCC is bad enough ;-) - much prefer a nice relaxed clubby meet as we had at Oulton this Saturday with the BRSCC - It's always nice to have a great bunch of drivers especially well behaved ones - makes everybodies hobbies a lot easier ;-).
My first and third sets of overalls have been heavily subsidised via the BMMC club, the other set were a freebie from Britcar for Marshaling the 24hr one year.
We do at least 1 training day a year with additional fire training with the specialist rescue units and fire crews doing a lot more. Your basic marshal has three responsibilities - keeping himself safe, then the fellow marshals and then only then looking after the drivers - we're trained enough to give basic first aid and to know what not to do - before the rescue units with doctors etc arrive - usually within 90 seconds..
Oulton park on a nice sunny day with the sound of v8's in my ears - heaven is a place on earth!
You lucky folks at brands - free bacon rolls - not something that Mr Palmer has seen fit to replicate at his empires northernmost outpost, I'm sure if he did it woudl be well recieved by all.
Simes.
Keep it as it is- I did it for years in 70s and 80s - from F1 to hillclimbs and rally cross.It's great fun and you get a terrific view- why the hell would yu want paying ? Most racing drivers aren't paid either. Amused to see the usual hierarchical nonsense about F1. Busiest I ever got was stuff like FF2000; hillclimbs busy too- especially back in the day when many cars needed push starting. Quite a novel experience to push start F1 Brabhams and Marches, a legion of F2 Chevrons and Lotuses etc and McLaren F5000 cars.
not long home from my 1st visit to silverstone as a marshal for my 1st gp. Dont want paid for doing it, what would be nice is a butty and brew at breakfast (okay the catering van on the marshals campsite is not mega expensive) a marshals discount at all other catering outlets (£5 for a hot dog) and a better understanding from joe punter. Yes we got £5 a day towards lunch at sillystone but anywhere else i marshal lunch is provided
I stated Marshalling about a year ago. It is fantastic fun, a huge learning experience and the best hobby any motorsport fan could hope for.
I see it as a privilege to be able to have access to the pit lane and track and get to see fantastic cars and racing in a way the general public do not. Marshals should not be formally paid, every marshal is there because they want to be there and it is important to them, it is the passion that makes people good at what they do. The training we do is both formal and informal. The Formal training is not good enough in my eyes as the MSA are pretty tight fisted when it comes to providing for marshals, however the informal training of one marshal passing on their experience to another marshal is exceptional.
Some of the organising clubs are very generous even though they have limited resources. From my experience the smaller events are the most satisfying as the clubs appreciate marshals more and there is a lot to do. My personal favorites are the 750 Motor club, Historic sports car club, MG owners club and the Aston Martins. Bigger events like BTCC tend to concentrate more on what looks for the TV cameras.
If you fancy becoming a marshal have a look at www.marshals.co.uk or contact any racing club. Honestly it is a fantastic passtime
I see it as a privilege to be able to have access to the pit lane and track and get to see fantastic cars and racing in a way the general public do not. Marshals should not be formally paid, every marshal is there because they want to be there and it is important to them, it is the passion that makes people good at what they do. The training we do is both formal and informal. The Formal training is not good enough in my eyes as the MSA are pretty tight fisted when it comes to providing for marshals, however the informal training of one marshal passing on their experience to another marshal is exceptional.
Some of the organising clubs are very generous even though they have limited resources. From my experience the smaller events are the most satisfying as the clubs appreciate marshals more and there is a lot to do. My personal favorites are the 750 Motor club, Historic sports car club, MG owners club and the Aston Martins. Bigger events like BTCC tend to concentrate more on what looks for the TV cameras.
If you fancy becoming a marshal have a look at www.marshals.co.uk or contact any racing club. Honestly it is a fantastic passtime
Edited by XJSsometimeSoon on Tuesday 2nd July 12:46
Edited by XJSsometimeSoon on Tuesday 2nd July 12:49
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