Looking to become a marshal

[Kier]

Hey .

I hope that this is the right place to post this, I'm looking to maybe becoming a marshal, but don't have a clue where to start, and was told that coming on here would be a good place to start, to get the information that I need.

If anyone could help me, that would be great.

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by Kier

Hey .

I hope that this is the right place to post this, I'm looking to maybe becoming a marshal, but don't have a clue where to start, and was told that coming on here would be a good place to start, to get the information that I need.

If anyone could help me, that would be great.

Hi Kier. To join THE marshals club just go to www.marshals.co.uk and all will be revealed. Any more info just ask here on ''tenths'', or contact me and I'll try and be of assistance. Welcome to the world of orange!

[Burnsie]

Hi Kier, welcome to Ten Tenths! If you let us know your local circuit(s) I'm sure you'll get some advice specific to there. As Chris says, have a look at the BMMC website and keep asking questions on here. The single best piece of advice given to me when I started was this - there is no such thing as a stupid question. The only stupid question is one which is not asked!

[robert77]

Hi Kier, and welcome to Tenths. As Chris A said, go join the BMMC, you'll get all the help and advice from there, but you're just as welcome to ask any questions here.

I've been a marshal on and off since 1998, I've now turned to motorsport photograthy, but becoming a motorsport marshal is one of the most enjoyable hobbies you can have as a motorsport fan. You get to see the action from the best view, trackside and if you're willing to travel, you get to go to some of the best motorsport venues in the world.

Where do you live btw?

[Kier]

Originally Posted by burnsie

Hi Kier, welcome to Ten Tenths! If you let us know your local circuit(s) I'm sure you'll get some advice specific to there. As Chris says, have a look at the BMMC website and keep asking questions on here. The single best piece of advice given to me when I started was this - there is no such thing as a stupid question. The only stupid question is one which is not asked!

Thanks everyone for the welcomes .

The only local circuit I know is Thruxton, which is around 60 miles from me, I live in Poole Dorset, so if anyone knows of any other circuits closer, that would be great .

Originally Posted by robert77

Hi Kier, and welcome to Tenths. As Chris A said, go join the BMMC, you'll get all the help and advice from there, but you're just as welcome to ask any questions here.

I've been a marshal on and off since 1998, I've now turned to motorsport photograthy, but becoming a motorsport marshal is one of the most enjoyable hobbies you can have as a motorsport fan. You get to see the action from the best view, trackside and if you're willing to travel, you get to go to some of the best motorsport venues in the world.

Where do you live btw?

Thats what I'm really looking forward to, getting up close etc, I've only become a fan of motorsport in the last couple of years, and mainly F1, but being a student...chances of me going to see F1 live, pretty hard lol. (I know that I wont be able to marshal at F1 races for a while, need special training or something?).

As I said above, I'm living in Poole, Dorset.

[Burnsie]

Originally Posted by Kier

The only local circuit I know is Thruxton

Have a look at this thread, there seem to be a few Thruxton regulars there. From scanning over it, the Chief Marshal at Thruxton is called Trevor - if anyone has a contact number or email address for Trevor, perhaps they would PM it to Kier so he can get in touch.

Originally Posted by Kier

Thats what I'm really looking forward to, getting up close etc

You've definitley made a step in the right direction by deciding to take up marshalling!

Originally Posted by Kier

I've only become a fan of motorsport in the last couple of years, and mainly F1, but being a student...chances of me going to see F1 live, pretty hard lol. (I know that I wont be able to marshal at F1 races for a while, need special training or something?).

Funny you should stay that, watching F1 was the reason why I decided to start marshalling. Since then, I have discovered that national and club racing series can be much more entertaining than watching F1 on the telly - Legends race anyone?! As for marshalling F1, there is no special training but you will need experience - the BMMC website will explain the various grading levels and so on.

[The STIG]

Since you're near Thruxton, It may be worth looking up BARC who own the circuit and organise lots of the meetings there. There will also be contacts for Trevor Jackson [???] who is the Chief Marshal on the club's marshals page.

You're also relatively close to Goodwood. Not much racing there outside of the Revival but I do understand there are regular sprints there - and they're great relaxed days to get into marshalling. I think the main man to speak to for Goodwood is "Circuitmarshal" who is hanging around here somewhere. Both Big Goodwood events are worth doing, but be aware that everyone else wants to do them, and therefore you may not get in. Unlike F1 though, there are no actual restrictions on these events in terms of ability, so the festival could be your chance to get very close to some Serious machinery - including the F1 cars!

Best advice - Try a few different circuits and clubs, take your first season slowly and see if you like it, and have fun. And remember Burnsie's advice when it comes to stupid questions.

[Woolley]

Consider Gurston Down Hillclimb as well which isn't too far from you. Seriously quick cars, very close to the action, far more likely to get your hands on a vehicle than at a circuit and only one car at a time to worry about. British Championship single seaters are faster accelerating than an F1 so they're good experience for the future.

[Steve Tarrant]

Kier, also live in Poole and have sent you a PM.

[FATNACKER]

Originally Posted by Kier

Hey .

I hope that this is the right place to post this, I'm looking to maybe becoming a marshal, but don't have a clue where to start, and was told that coming on here would be a good place to start, to get the information that I need.

If anyone could help me, that would be great.

Hi Kier welcome to Tentenths, Always willing to give advice to someone wanting to join the ORANGE brigade, As the other guys have said joining the BMMC is a very good start loads of good people to give you sound advice on marshaling! My local circuit is Thruxton (15 miles) go on the BARC web site for details, chief marshals details are on there, nice chap by the name of Trevor Jackson. You also could contact the Castle Combe Racing Club which is near Chipenham wilts, There a very friendly bunch , chief marshal is Nicki Fawdington, And they run some cracking meetings there. Then theres Gurston Down hillclimb about 6 miles west of salisbury which is run by the BARC, So Kier theres a few starters for you, Its a good time to start cos the seasons just kicking off, shame youve just missed the training days, However getting out on the bank is a good experence, you will enjoy it! good luck.

[bludvl_x19]

Originally Posted by Kier

Hey .

I hope that this is the right place to post this, I'm looking to maybe becoming a marshal, but don't have a clue where to start, and was told that coming on here would be a good place to start, to get the information that I need.

If anyone could help me, that would be great.

Good to see that you made it this far Kier

I can't help you with joining up, but you have made a good decision.

PS, I'm a 20yo uni student looking foward to flagging at the F1 in Australia this weekend, it can be done!!!!

[Circuitmarshal]

Kier,
Welcome.
If you want something 'easy' there are a few sprints at Goodwood that would welcome your help.
Don't need orange but avoid red clothing, and it can be drafty at Goodwood as it's an airfield, so something to keep the breeze out.
All sprints at G/W you can just turn up and sign on, or tell someone in advance if you can find contact details.
These are the Sprint dates:
April 25th - Bognor Regis MC - Chief Marshal - ME
June 27th - Tunbridge Wells MC
July 11th - Aston Martin Owners Club
August 1st - Brighton & Hove MC
August 22nd - BARC SE
October 24th - VSCC
November 7th - AC Owners Club
These events are free to watch if you want a sneak preview!!

[Kier]

Originally Posted by Circuitmarshal

Kier,
Welcome.
If you want something 'easy' there are a few sprints at Goodwood that would welcome your help.
Don't need orange but avoid red clothing, and it can be drafty at Goodwood as it's an airfield, so something to keep the breeze out.
All sprints at G/W you can just turn up and sign on, or tell someone in advance if you can find contact details.
These are the Sprint dates:
April 25th - Bognor Regis MC - Chief Marshal - ME
June 27th - Tunbridge Wells MC
July 11th - Aston Martin Owners Club
August 1st - Brighton & Hove MC
August 22nd - BARC SE
October 24th - VSCC
November 7th - AC Owners Club
These events are free to watch if you want a sneak preview!!

Thanks very much for that, so I can just turn up on the day and they'll help me? Dont really want to drive all the way to Goodwoood to find that they dont need me lol.

[Circuitmarshal]

Kier,
Turning up on the day at the events I've listed no problem.
I've never seen anyone turned away yet.
In fact if you want to try an event where you sort of know someone then 25th April I'm chief marshal and would put you out with someone so you can get a rough idea of what it will be like.
I say rough idea as cars will be one at a time unlike a race, but you would get the track side view of how it will be.
You would of course be signed on and covered by the event insurance.
Oh yes as a signed on marshal you will get free hot food at lunch time, defiantly something NOT to get used to!!
Planning Regs at Goodwood means there has to be a lunch break, sometimes at a race meeting you don't get a break as such.
If you would like full details for 25th let me know.

[Kier]

Would just like to say thank you again for all the help, everyone has been a great help.

One more question (at the moment anyway), I read somewhere that I need insurance, however I cant remember where I read this, is this true? If so where do I go to get insurance, and how much does it roughly cost?

Thanks again for the help everyone.