Cart

[Andy Metcalf]

Well this one is for those more educated in overseas Motorsports. With CART being at Brands Hatch in May and as I understand it they have their own Marshals, What will us Brit Marshals do for the three hours of the race. Possibly whith 20/30 CART single seaters thundering round the Indy Circuit running for cover might be more sensible. Paddock Hill bend will be fun I am sure. And Clearways will be busy if its raining, with the usual river coming off the Grand Prix Circuit. Can't wait.

[blueflagger]

There are a lot of changes going on for the CART observers right now. We recently received notice of personnel changes and the fact that CART will be moving back towards working with SCCA marshal licensing instead of creating their own licenses.

We've been told to hold tight and wait for more information, but in the meantime, could we all please apply to work St. Pete as they are desperate for workers?

I can't imagine they won't need local marshals, though there might be a limited number of spots available.

[blueflagger]

Oops, wasn't clear on that.

I can't imagine they won't need local marshals at Brands though they might limit the numbers to less than you are used to.

[Stephen Green]

BARC have sent out the revised availability forms for the CART/BTCC meeting and so my guess is a certain number of us will be needed. It rather depends too on whether CART bring their own marshals or rely on the UK marshals in order to keep costs to a minimum.

[blackx]

I will be going to Brands on the Monday but only as a spekky cause I'm taking my young lad..(He will be 8 by then)..
Who can give me the best directions from the M25..
I am coming from the Midlands and will be travelling clockwise on the "Road To Hell"..

[ascarracinguk]

goin to long beach(hopefully) and doin brands after that too- if they need me!!

[Stephen Green]

Over the QE Bridge, past the M2 and M20 turn offs. Take the exit signposted A20 (there's a Brands Hatch sign as well). Head south on the A20 and BH is on your left after about 2-3 miles.

[scorch]

It would also work the other way, what are the CART boys (and girls) going to do while the BTCC is on?

[Chris Gray]

Blackx, you'd be lucky if you get anywhere on the M25, let alone hell!

[racerkeke]

Scorch, why would we do anything different during the BTCC than we do during CART? I mean, aside from switching flag rules. I can't see a marshal of any kind walking away from the station during a session.

Or maybe you're thinking we'll do what we did in Mexico and just "stand down" from the headsets for the support races. That was fun -- the Mexican marshals ran the show and I got to flag, run response, back them up on the landline when their radio failed... it was a nice break in the day.

The designated CART communicator often stands down for support sessions at North American races too. At the Toronto Indy last year I got to flag the Formula Fords while someone else gave my ears a rest.

keke

[Stoowert]

CART man their posts much the same way that we do except CART safety does their hero act on track. However, they used course marshals as extra eyes and ears on track. They also need course marshals to asist with pull-offs and the like. It's really quite good watching highly paid doctors and so on mooving tyres back into position and sweeping up! Plus they will need at least 2 flaggers per post, thats 15 communicators at least and 26 flag and about 60 "response" and I can't see CART bringing more than they did last year (6 observers, I think). Does anyone know what else BARC have lined up besides CART and the Bash & Crash brigade?

[chrisgr31]

Originally posted by Stephen Green
Over the QE Bridge, past the M2 and M20 turn offs. Take the exit signposted A20 (there's a Brands Hatch sign as well). Head south on the A20 and BH is on your left after about 2-3 miles.

Not forgetting the traffic around Brands will almost certainly be a nightmare!

Chris

[Stephen Green]

Yup, allow plenty of time to get there!

[Piglet]

Originally posted by Stephen Green
Yup, allow plenty of time to get there!

...and even more to get out afterwards...

[Novice]

I might just pitch the tent and not bother going home until the last day. Less hassle with traffic and I can also enjoy a beer in the Kentagon

[Stephen Green]

I'll have to see where I am living by then, so might be joining you Alan

[Mark Mitchell]

Do you really think that a Northern Marshal such as I would get a look in at the CART event. BARC normally have their favourites for the big meetings, and that doesn't usually extend any further north than Dartford!

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally posted by observer
Do you really think that a Northern Marshal such as I would get a look in at the CART event. BARC normally have their favourites for the big meetings, and that doesn't usually extend any further north than Dartford!

[EvilPumpkin]

Well I'd expect any sane marshals' club to give preference to their regular marshals before they let in anyone else. Because the next week, when the rest of us are all back at our regular circuits, they still have to run the less glamourous events.

So yes, on that basis, I would expect them to use the people who show up for the **** events as well as the cool ones first and then allocate additional places after that. After all, if your own club/circuit dumped you in favour of outside marshals when a desirable event came their way, you'd have plenty to say about it.

In fairness to BARC, I put the names of our group in last week and we've just received our volunteering forms. So we'll see what happens from there. If I don't get to go, I don't get to go. I won't be getting snotty about it.

[KayBee]

Originally posted by observer
Do you really think that a Northern Marshal such as I would get a look in at the CART event. BARC normally have their favourites for the big meetings, and that doesn't usually extend any further north than Dartford!

You'll have to come and watch the Superbikes instead of traipsing down to London.

I was surprised that there wasn't an Oulton/Anglesey meeting at Anglesey that weekend - perhaps the event's scheduler new something which we didn't.

[pixie]

Come to a MRO meeting and watch some real Action

[wiggles]

Anyone know if CART/BARC will have the same policy on trainee marshals that the F1 circus has (i.e. they're not allowed to volunteer).

If they don't then I might send my BARC availability form back!

[Richard Sneader]

Wiggles, I would apply for the CART/BTCC meeting. There is alot of speculation over the marshalling of this event and the truth is no one knows what is going to happen untill BARC decide what they are going to do. So don't throw out your BARC form volunteer and wait like the rest of us.
Rich S

[ascarracinguk]

ive talked to cart and the scca and they will need marshals. how many i dont know. ill find out more at long beach.

[blackx]

Originally posted by Stephen Green
Over the QE Bridge, past the M2 and M20 turn offs. Take the exit signposted A20 (there's a Brands Hatch sign as well). Head south on the A20 and BH is on your left after about 2-3 miles.

Thanks for the directions guys..
Will be leaving the Midlands at around 5am so hope to be down there for 7-30/8-00am..