MotoGP

[TrueBlueFlyer]

I've heard lots of opinions on marshalling a MotoGP... my first experience was meant to be later this year in Malaysia but I'll be in the wrong part of the world to do that race, so instead I signed up for the Red Bull GP at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

How different is this event from normal car events? I've heard some say that its simpler to keep track of, others suggest its far more dangerous.

Any personal experiences to share?

--Russ

[m1fcf]

Originally Posted by TrueBlueFlyer

I've heard lots of opinions on marshalling a MotoGP... my first experience was meant to be later this year in Malaysia but I'll be in the wrong part of the world to do that race, so instead I signed up for the Red Bull GP at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

How different is this event from normal car events? I've heard some say that its simpler to keep track of, others suggest its far more dangerous.

Any personal experiences to share?

--Russ

The Bike Marshalling that I have done in the past is different to Car Marshalling in quite a few ways, for specifics I'll let the bike marshals of this parish chip in.

Personally, I didnt like it, but then bikes are not my thing - a big event at a big circuit like that is sure to be different. Have fun, and just do what the other guys do.

[AMP Marshal]

Originally Posted by TrueBlueFlyer

How different is this event from normal car events?
Any personal experiences to share?

--Russ

They crash harder, that's for sure. Sliding, bouncing, rolling, both rider and bike, all that fun stuff.

[TrueBlueFlyer]

the last and only bike race I worked was during a vintage weekend at Hampton Downs in NZ... I had a spill in my corner, old guy on an old bike thanks to oil on track, but as the only person on station waiving the flag, calling it in on comms, and trying to check on the rider, it got pretty hectic.

after the race got red flagged, ran out to the rider who was OK but had the wind knocked out of him... the bike was a mess.


I'll be at turn 7 for MotoGP with a bunch of other marshals so I'll be sure to learn something new.

[HairyDJ]

done the UK for several years and enjoyed - maybe a bit more hands on than some car events and certainly a greater risk of seeing bad injuries if that makes you uncomfortable.

For others reading this thread and thinking about 2013 in the UK - you'll need to keep your eye on the racesafe web site as you must undergo their training in Jan / Feb and they only open up to accept new marshal registration for a few weeks each autumn.

[TrueBlueFlyer]

It was an interesting experience... a lot of new people on the track.

The way I saw it most flaggers were volunteers, while track marshals were employed by Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The medics seems to have been recruited from local fire/EMS services.

For track inspection there weren't enough trackies for the inspection so one of the flaggers had to join them trackside. Similarly when a biker went off and all the trackies were responding, one of the flaggers had to jump in.

Not much happened in our corner, but there were some spectacular crashes elsewhere.

I'm glad I got to try it out though with Grand Am and ALMS happening the same weekend I think next time I'd chose one of them instead.

[AMP Marshal]

The same deal with me when I went to F1 @ INDY 2000, 2001,( 911 another story ) 2002, EMS and firefighters were paid, we were not, no complaints though, some of the greatest infrastructure I've ever seen at a racetrack, stainless steel washrooms, self cleaning no less, a wonderful experience I'll never forget, not to mention the " Crossing @ The Glen " restaurant. Good times.

[TrueBlueFlyer]

Originally Posted by AMP Marshal

The same deal with me when I went to F1 @ INDY 2000, 2001,( 911 another story ) 2002, EMS and firefighters were paid, we were not, no complaints though, some of the greatest infrastructure I've ever seen at a racetrack, stainless steel washrooms, self cleaning no less, a wonderful experience I'll never forget, not to mention the " Crossing @ The Glen " restaurant. Good times.

no complaints from me either... you mean Brickyard Crossings?

USAC food beats SCCA hands down the infrastructure like you mentioned was superb, obviously they host enough events that everything runs like clockwork

[AMP Marshal]

[QUOTE=TrueBlueFlyer;3123072]no complaints from me either... you mean Brickyard Crossings?

Yeah I meant the Brickyard Crossing.Stuff sometimes seems to blur together.

[TrueBlueFlyer]

Originally Posted by AMP Marshal

Yeah I meant the Brickyard Crossing.Stuff sometimes seems to blur together.

my friend... The Glen has a "Tiki Hut!"