Silly Hats. Good idea/Bad idea?

[Justin Moran]

As the title suggests, after the comments made in the BTCC Oulton thread I thought I'd start a thread dedicated to the subject. It seems the powers that be are clamping down on our use of said hats in an attempt to make us appear more "professional". We are all voluteers and as such accept the saftey and protection of ourselves by wearing the relevant gear but headwear has never been an issue until now, so whats changed?

[EvilPumpkin]

I can't seem to find the BTCC Oulton thread (probably looking with my eyes shut - I'm only on my first coffee) so not sure precisely what kicked this off, but see comments below.

I guess the answer is "it depends". While we are volunteers, we are providing a safety service - one on which lives may potentially depend. That does require a certain level of perceived professionalism and as such, silly hats may be an issue.

It's more an issue of confidence - both of the driver and the general public. Marshals in orange proban, with batbelts, baseball caps, gloves and boots give an impression of a uniform trained group. Marshals in silly hats with hunting knives the size of Wales hanging off their belts...not so much. That's no reflection on the marshal in question's capabilities - it's just a perception issue.

Look at it this way - if you're upside down in a gravel trap, dazed, confused and probably in pain, would you be more comforted by the sight of a baseball cap on the head of the person who is trying to keep you calm and provide c-spine control, or by the sight of a jester's cap with bells on?

There are other issues with hats as well, depending on what they are. For instance, I was flagging the A1GP and was deemed a Judge of Fact for the purposes of the meeting. Had I been wearing a green leprechaun hat and had to provide a judgement on an incident involving the Ireland team, that could very easily have led to a protest on the grounds of obvious bias.

I would say that if you want to wear a silly hat, go ahead - but only while you're not attending an incident. If you have to go to something, lose the hat.

[aland]

i know our gaffer at knockhill has banned them, baseball caps and ordinary bunnets only. makes sense i guess

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by EvilPumpkin

I would say that if you want to wear a silly hat, go ahead - but only while you're not attending an incident. If you have to go to something, lose the hat.

Well said!! An excellant piece of advice.

[Justin Moran]

I totaly accept the view that if you need to go to an incident lose the hat, heaven knows I've had my Aussie hat blow off in the wind and its very embarrasing having to chase after it!

So it seems that during a race wear sensible hats, baseball caps and the like but I only wore mine during the "down" times anyway as to not cause a distraction.

[Motorsportgirli]

i agree they should be worn in down time only

But what about assembly?

[Red_08]

Originally Posted by C9/89

but I only wore mine during the "down" times anyway as to not cause a distraction.

Don't beat yourself up about it too much Justin. As you've said, and I think I've only seen you with it on "off-duty", it's for the fun/social side of our hobby!
The littl'uns in the crowd like it, the same as Gravel Monkey's mask (or is it? ) and the drivers like the humour of it too.

Let common sense prevail I say.

[Nighthawk]

Remember on things like the F1 Gp this year Hats are provided and must be worn...

[Steven Humphrey]

My wife thinks all my hats are daft! Seriously though, I think Evilpumpkin has got it right-during downtime there's no problems but keep it professional during sessions, especially when attending incidents. I remember seeing a group of marshals from Scotland wearing those tartan caps with ginger hair-very funny but don't think (for example) Gordon Sheddon would see the funny side if he had just binned it!

[mmm_five]

If it's sunny then I wear my 'French Foreign Legion' hat, but as this blows off on the 'brisk walk' to the incident then it's not stopping me doing my job, or giving the driver the wrong impression.

After the indicent in over and the rescue/medical crew are around, I can reclaim the hat from the gravel (or mud as it was at the Anglesey 750MC).

Even I think the hat looks silly, but I've not seen a better solution than the hat and factor 50 for my delicate skin.

Which of these hats would be considered 'silly' - or are we solely talking about 'novelty' items?

[andyrjt1]

I for one have quite often bought a job lot of "daft hats" from e-bay prior to a BIG meeting and dished them out to all on post to wear for the stewards/clerk of the course track inspection. It helps to break the ice so to speak if the post has people who have never met before, fosters the team spirit and makes people laugh first thing on a dull grey rainy morning, however when the track goes live the sensible caps and heads go on and we do what we do best, marshal professionally!!

[Bodysnatcher]

As I said in another thread
I said he could wear the hat to add colour to the event, but he was told (politely) that he should take it off if he had to go to an incident. (It's an awful lot of floppy inflammable polyester to wear on yer head if the car goes woomf).

Of course when the incident happens...he becomes famous. (and slightly apologetic to his post chief)

I have said the same to the Scottish lads, but experience is teaching me that when the incident happens, the hat is'nt coming off, so I'll probably be changing my rules to "no silly hats when cars on track"

Years ago at an F1 event I was due to be paired up with a marshal that wanted to wear the most ridiculously massive silly hat. (not just silly, but 2 feet high silly & not really funny!) I told the Observer that I would be asking for a transfer to another post if I had be seen on live worldwide TV standing with a a **** like that.
He did'nt wear the hat.

Small humourous statements OK
"Look at me" stuff not professional.

PS even I have been guilty of silly hatitis

[Bodysnatcher]

another thought
during the height of BTCC during the late 80s? we were told not to wear anything that would show allegiance to a particular manufacturer.
I remember one lad getting sent off post to wash off the Audi paint scheme that he'd got done on his face

[mmm_five]

If 'they' want to pay for our uniforms, then I've got no problem keeping to some rules. However, as we supply our own gear, then we've got a right to 'customise' it a little - albeit not stupidly.

Novelty hats and shoes/gloves/overalls that do not comply with PPE rules should be banned from 'active' posts.

Showing your allegiance to specific brands/manufacturers/clubs/series is out of bounds

[garybirch]

What happens if your hair being covered up by the silly hat is sillier than the hat itself?
:-)