I/o Grade

[Nighthawk]

Can someone explain why most clubs accept I/O grade as it is.
even the MSA grade you on licence as I/O
But BARC will not accept it as a grade or even recognise it.

[Malc's]

Originally posted by Nighthawk
Can someone explain why most clubs accept I/O grade as it is.
even the MSA grade you on licence as I/O
But BARC will not accept it as a grade or even recognise it.

Don't know about I/O but I never had a grading badge or any acknowlegement of my grading from them, hence I am now an EX member.

[Sheila M]

Originally posted by Malc's
Don't know about I/O but I never had a grading badge or any acknowlegement of my grading from them, hence I am now an EX member.

I think the reason you never had a gradng badge from BARC was that you already held your grade with the BMMC. BARC grading badges only cover BARC only marshals.

[Nighthawk]

Well Malc's same reasons i am not a member. But when i do marshall for BARC they wont recognise my grade.
why is this someone must know an expenation.

[Sheila M]

Originally posted by Nighthawk
Well Malc's same reasons i am not a member. But when i do marshall for BARC they wont recognise my grade.
why is this someone must know an expenation.

My husband is an I/O (amongst other things) and he tells me that BARC have never recognised the grade. Perhaps one of the BARC Chief Marshals can explain?

[Nighthawk]

BARC Chief Marshals.....
Come on then explain....!!!!

[thepits]

"My husband is an I/O (amongst other things) and he tells me that BARC have never recognised the grade."


I'm confused!

If I am correct in assuming that you have a MSA Licence at that grade, then can you please clarify "not recognised"?

[Sheila M]

Originally posted by thepits
"My husband is an I/O (amongst other things) and he tells me that BARC have never recognised the grade."


I'm confused!

If I am correct in assuming that you have a MSA Licence at that grade, then can you please clarify "not recognised"?

Easy! when my husband goes out to marshal for any club other than BARC (of which he is a member incidentally) he is classed as an I/O. BARC do not have I/Os - their team leaders are the Observers, who will generally appoint one of the team to act as an I/O. I have a feeling it's historic.

If none of the BARC Chief Marshals can explain, then may I suggest a quick note to Dennis Harris, the BARC Marshals champion who might be able to shed more light?

[thepits]

Dennis Harris, the BARC Marshals "champion"?

[Nighthawk]

yep i have a MSA licence at I/O grade so its ok from them
goodbye from BARC.

[thepits]

quote "yep i have a MSA licence at I/O grade so its ok from them, goodbye from BARC."


Have you ever actually ASKED barc to explain??

[Sheila M]

Originally posted by thepits
Dennis Harris, the BARC Marshals "champion"?

Yes. Dennis works extremely hard for marshals (not just BARC marshals either) and has done for many years.

[Nighthawk]

yes and i get the feeling i might aswell talk to a brick wall get more sense.
No they never did explain to me.

[Nighthawk]

why does BARC have to be different to all the rest.

[Sheila M]

At the end of the day does it really matter? I have a grading badge but very rarely wear it these days.

[Peter Harding]

I often don't recognize IOs. My optition says its myopia but I never use this opia stuff.

[Peter Harding]

Oh - and my spelling of optician isn't that good either

[Stone-kicker]

At the end of the day does it really matter? I have a grading badge but very rarely wear it these days.

I would have thought that as a pit marshal, it would be important to have your name and function clearly visible, the BMMC grading/membership card being ideal for this with photo and grade on display.

Also, wasn't it BARC that scuppered the black and yellow flags. "We didn't think of it so we won't use it."

[thepits]

Originally posted by Stone-kicker
I would have thought that as a pit marshal, it would be important to have your name and function clearly visible, the BMMC grading/membership card being ideal for this with photo and grade on display.

You have to be joking! I wouldn't be seen dead wearing THAT!!


If I'm wearing overalls, or some other official "uniform" then my name is embroidered on them.
If none of the above - Then I'll wear my old BMRMC grading badge.

With the addition of the pit official/marshal armband, that shows your function.


p.s. there is no such grade as i/o in the pits/startline/paddock structure anyway!

[Nadine J Lewis]

Originally posted by thepits
"My husband is an I/O (amongst other things) and he tells me that BARC have never recognised the grade."


I'm confused!

If I am correct in assuming that you have a MSA Licence at that grade, then can you please clarify "not recognised"?

I'm confused too!! I think this sounds a localised BARC issue as at Oulton Park we never have a problem (being an I/O myself) and doing the signing-on I never get told not to allocate I/O's!! Come to Oulton Park - we always welcome I/O's!!!

[Sheila M]

Originally posted by Stone-kicker
I would have thought that as a pit marshal, it would be important to have your name and function clearly visible, the BMMC grading/membership card being ideal for this with photo and grade on display.

Also, wasn't it BARC that scuppered the black and yellow flags. "We didn't think of it so we won't use it."

Nice one!! However, wearing a grading badge in the pits doesn't actually say what your function is - it only tells people what your grade is. Most people who turn up in the pit lane couldn't care less what grade you are as long as you can get their car out when they want it out. Anyway, today as you know I was easily identifiable because I was wearing Club "uniform" shirt with name embroidered on it. Also, I was the only female down in the pit lane so it was obvious I was in charge!

[Sheila M]

Originally posted by thepits

With the addition of the pit official/marshal armband, that shows your function.

What armband? Haven't had one of those since I did my last GP in 2001!

[Stephen Green]

Lets get rid of some of the confusion ladies and gents, I think you will find that BARC refer to IO's as Assistant Observers. If you want a BARC grading badge as an IO, you will get an AO badge, does it really matter?

I would like to point out that BARC do a great deal to support marshalling, not only for their own members but for the marshalling force nationally.

Please, lets not let this thread develop into a 'lets slag off BARC' becuase if you so, I will close it at the drop of a hat.

On the subject of the black and yellow flag, it is true that BARC didn't adopt it, but you are wrong to say it s demise was down to them. The MSA ruled the flag be dropped to bring the UK flags in line with those used in other countries.

[Dave Brand]

Originally posted by Stephen Green
Lets get rid of some of the confusion ladies and gents, I think you will find that BARC refer to IO's as Assistant Observers

At Oulton Park telephonists are officially referred to as assistant observers!

[Nighthawk]

Ok in reply Stephen i did not set about slagging BARC I do alot of marshall work for them and was a member for 6 years.... ok not anymore.
Like i say i am an I/O but BARC wont even accept A/O as my grade and this is what i feel is wrong i got to this grade by hard work not easy route as some do and i feel it should be accepted by all clubs
The Grading system is in place and used, Am i correct in saying put there by the MSA. if so why not stick to it.
At the end of the day i agree does it really matter on your grade as long as we get on and work together in a proffesional manner.