Motorcycle Marshaling

[Scoundrel]

Hi,

I am fairly new to marshaling, and have attended only car events so far, but I would like to marshal some motorcycle meetings. From what I can understand, I need to go on special motorcycle marshal training days before I can be accepted at the bike events. What I would like to know is what is the difference between any type of track marshal? I turn up at race days, get wet, sometimes dirty, and follow the lead of the IO. I don't understand why I have to pay to join a specialised club to marshal at these events. I ride a motorbike all year round and would love to try my hand in this area to broaden my knowledge, but if I have to cough up more money to every specialised area, I think I will stick to normal races days.

[Dave Brand]

I think you have been somewhat misinformed. For BSB you do need to join 'Racesafe' - they do insist that you attend a training day before you can marshal with them. See: http://www.racesafe.org/index.htm

For club meetings you'll generally find that you will be accepted whatever your experience, although it would be advisable to do bike training as there are differences, albeit relatively small, between the way car & bike marshalling works.

Bike marshalling is much more fragmented than car marshalling - clubs tend to work in isolation. Your best approach would be to decide which circuits you want to marshal at & see if any bike club runs a training day there.

[theracegypsy]

Hi Scoundrel, and welcome to both marshalling and Ten-Tenths.

There is a lot of similarity on the track between bikes and cars, though some differences as well, particularly regards to safety.

However, the major difference which will affect you is in the national organisation and rules.

Historically the organisation of motor (car) racing and bike racing grew separately. and they are ruled buy two different national bodies, the Motor Sport Association, or MSA, for cars; and the Auto Cycle Union, or ACU for bikes.

They differ in that the MSA registers marshals for car meeting and is involved in training syllabuses, but allows individuals to become marshals without any club affiliation ( though I would recommend any marshal joins the Marshals Club, BMMC). The ACO however delegates all marshal matters to RaceSafe UK, who are responsible for all licences and training. They insist that all bike marshals must be a member of their organisation to work.

You may find the following links useful:

http://www.acu.org.uk/
www.msauk.org/
www.marshals.co.uk/
http://www.racesafe.org/

You will also find there are other marshals on this forum who work both disciplines, and can give you lots of advice.

Enjoy, and..

[Scoundrel]

Thanks for that DB. I was looking at Brands and Donnington so I will see what the local clubs have to offer.

[HairyDJ]

You could always come along to Mallory on boxing day - mixture of bike & car activity. We've not done any bike, apart from helping at a mixed track day once, so looking to learn something for Christmas

Hopefully, you will also get to chat with some of the more bike oriented folk and get a few invitations for next year?

Cheers, David

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by theracegypsy

The ACO however delegates all marshal matters to RaceSafe UK, who are responsible for all licences and training. They insist that all bike marshals must be a member of their organisation to work.

NO! The ACU does NOT delegate all marshal matters to Racesafe. Racesafe organises marshals for BSB; marshalling for club racing is run by the clubs. Racesafe has its own licencing system; all other marshals are licenced, via their club, by the ACU.

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by Scoundrel

Thanks for that DB. I was looking at Brands and Donnington so I will see what the local clubs have to offer.

Probably the best bike training you can get will be with Bemsee at Brands:

http://www.bemsee.net/index.php?opti...=200&Itemid=51

I'll second HairyDJ's suggestion - Mallory on Boxing Day!

[Scoundrel]

Thanks to all. Luckily, I am already a member of BMMC and attending training at Mallory in Feb... I will try and convince the missus to let me play on Boxing Day as I will be up in Loughborough for Xmas.

[The Fat Clerk]

Late start. Mallory Breakfast & early finish.....what more can you ask for?

[archaic gold]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

Late start. Mallory Breakfast & early finish.....what more can you ask for?

"No black ice!!!!"

[Col_Rugby]

Hi Scoundral. I marshal both bikes & cars.
Unfortunately you've missed Racesafe's "intake" for this year. DB is right that Racesafe organise all marshals for BSB & WSB round at Brands Hatch. The ACU organise marshals for the WSB & Moto GP at Donington, I have a contact name for the 2 latter meetings, but I'm not sure if the would let a "trainee" work the meetings. Worst they can say is no if you ask.
As for all other club meetings you can get intouch with chief marshal for the organising club, eg EMRA, BEMSEE, Thundersport etc etc, & they'll guide you for that meeting. As Dave says BEMSEE training at Brands is a good one to get on if you can, off the top of my head I think it's 2 days training this year. I think Mick Eagle is the training contact for that one.
Yes there are differences between bikes & cars but there is a lot of similarities as well. Some marshals will not marshal bikes as they think it's dangerous & unsafe. IMHO it's just as dangerous as cars & you need eyes front & back in both disciplines. Bikes you will be on a "live" track more as a fallen rider & bike need to be moved as quick as possible. But so long as you remember you're training & keep your eyes/ears open you'll be fine. Same as cars, if you don't feel safe & confindent then don't do it, but explain why so it can be talked about openly within the team.
If you want to ask anymore questions then fire away or PM me for any more info etc.
I'm sure Gary & GWAR & some of the others that marshal bikes will be along soon to give their 5p worth.

Col

[archaic gold]

Originally Posted by Scoundrel

Thanks for that DB. I was looking at Brands and Donnington so I will see what the local clubs have to offer.

For BEMSEE at Brands Hatch, contact: Chief Marshal (?) at:
karen.marksabine@btinternet.com

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

Late start. Mallory Breakfast & early finish.....what more can you ask for?

Sunshine & good racing...

...more chance of the latter than the former at Mallory!

[gwar]

Hello scoundrel, Basically Dave brand and col rugby are spot on.

Unfortanately there is a bit of politics involved with bike racing at the moment....which dosnt help.
Basically if you want to do BRITISH SUPERBIKES, racesafe is the club, and the new intake is know closed.
ACU do the rest, club meetings ( BEMSEE...NORTH GLOS).....MOTOGP also the only WORLD SUPERBIKE event in the uk in 2009 at donnnington.

RACESAFE membership is a pay once lifetime membership.


NORTH GLOSCESTER www.ngroadracing.org/index.htm which is an ACU club do there training with racesafe.............politics..........help.

Any way you want to marshal at brands, as dave and col say bemsee are good, im in NORTH GLOS which have just put there 2009 dates out which include brands on 21-22 march 2009.
This is club racing, with at least 15 races per day....(usally 6 laps or so each) grass roots racing from 125,s all the way up to the big toys...
Every marshal is welcome to come along, and try, be paired up with others.
You wont have to join any clubs.....unless you want to move on up and do it regularly....but its very usefull to see if its for you...
We will be going and you are more than willing to join us by PM or contacting
www.ngroadracing.org/index.htm

Hope this helps.....i hate politics.......i want to marshal...

[sputnik421]

I have Marshaled for NG at Thruxton and Brands, they keep you busy. If you do there Thruxton event you get no chance for a rest between races, the chequered comes out the last bike passes it the next race get to go to grid. I have done a BSB meeting at Thruxton with BARC so you don't need to be in Racesafe to do BSB.