Just thought I'd put a post up in relation to becoming a Racesafe Marshal.
I meant to do it earlier but have had other things on my mind!!
It is something well worthwhile doing, especially if you are a race fan!
I started doing this last season and I can honestly say that I will never enjoy watching a race from
behind that big, ugly catchment fence!
The teamwork that goes into Marshalling is incredible and you will meet new people and make new friends.
There are a couple of perks to the job... You get to watch the race from
very close quarters, you get a guest pass for a friend/family member to come with you, you get free camping in a Marshals-only camping area which is normally away from most of the noise! (it's a long day!!), you also get a light lunch provided. Obviously you are fully insured (and pretty well) for being trackside!
Unfortunately Racesafe don't provide recompense for travelling expenses, etc. (as some race marshal clubs do) but you do get to see the best racing in the UK free of charge while doing something well worthwhile.
You get to meet racers and team members (you will bump into them in the pit lane and the bars, even the showers, etc.) and generally feel part of something amazing!
Racesafe is extremaly well run & it just oozes professionalism. It's this along with the excellent history that Racesafe has that has earned British Marshals the label of being "The Best marshals in the World!"
I cannot reitterate enough how much fun this really is and I would recommend anyone just tries it!
There
is a joining fee
but it is a one off payment of £25 and as long as you keep up with the training (basically once every 2 years), you will never have to pay that again.
The initial training is a one-day affair and there's normally one or two at the beginning of the season & then again nearer the end or middle of the season. Once you have completed that, you can Marshal at any British Superbike meeting (and most club meetings accept you too). You do not qualify to marshal at World Championship meetings until you have become 'accredited.' This means that you have marshalled on 12 days (maximum of 6 can be club meetings) within 2 years (I think!) and had your training card signed. Then you have to attend one more training & development day & then you are eligible to marshal at World Championship events in the UK... Some marshals associations abroad will be happy to have you too... Australia/USA for instance!!
Once you have completed the initial training you are under no obligation to actually marshal and you may decied that after the training it's not for you!
There is only one New Marshal's training day arranged so far this year, and that is on the 5th of February, at Silverstone.
If you are interested, or even think that you might be - see here:
www.racesafe.org.
Contact Hazel Day (Membership Secretary) and she will be more than happy to help! HOWEVER... She's going into Hospital on the 13th of Jan for an Operation, so contact her before then! (THAT'S why I wanted to post before now!!)
If you are interested though and don't manage to contact Hazel in time, try Dave Hawley (Training) as I'm sure he'll help!!
Think that just about sums it up!
If you have any questions or anything, feel free to ask me & I'll answer them to the best of my abilities...
I look forward to hopefully seeing a few of you next to a race track this year!!