MARSHALLING IN THE MID EAST

[lardshow]

I dont normally winge on about stuff on here....but.....

c'mon guys and girls pick up the game when your marshalling!

i had a mistake on sunday (i know i shouldn't have crashed..but i did) only to find the marshall too busy texting to notice me upside down.

i wasn't the only driver to suffer bad marshalling on sunday either....sometimes it is difficult to get to cars, but to be watching the racing and ignoring your part of track is unfair.

watching the other heats/finals and from other rounds so far this year it is quite obvious that we as a region seem quite happy to watch the racing and not the part of the track we are marshalling, other people have also mentioned that the standard we have for marshalling is poor.

we all want to enjoy our racing so please try and marshall in the manor you wish to be marshalled.

rant over.....

[NeilRalph77]

Unfortunately it appear's that marshalling has slipped to a poorer standard every where, i was lucky enough to be being marshalled by unsupervised preteen's at weekend, i appreciate everyone has to start somewhere but 3 kid's stood together then falling over each other to pick up one car and then put it back down on it's lid is a little annoying. Don't get me wrong the club's i race at are ace but i remember when people used to run to your car not just amble over, pick it up, check your setup, look to see who's driving it, admire the paint, wait for the next 2 people to pass, loose you half a lap, put it down and then let it go.

[john333]

Agree with both the above, I actually saw the "mobile" incident and it was unacceptable.

One point I would make is that sometimes the marshall is doing his / her best, but gets insulted from the rostrum anyway.....marshall point 2 at West Bridgeford is a good example, that's where I had the misfortune to be all day. It was a very difficult obstacle and some cars would crash lap after lap sometimes cartwheeling upto 5 yards with me running after them! obviously one or more others would crash there whilst I was busy with the first, but everyone expects to be dealt with immediately (Human nature, and I include myself!) however it's not going to help to hear negative shouts from the rostrum when you are running around like an idiot trying to sort out the mess.

Finally, replacing a car on the track directly after a ramp is always difficult as often the next car round is going to be held up by the one just starting back up, I was berated a couple of times for putting a car back down (off the racing line) and the next car landing on it.....but sorry guys, in an instance like that it's not the marshalls fault

Phew, my rant over too! ;-)

[DJ's Dad]

Marshall point two was tricky, agree. Daniel qualified D2 and took a hit on the ankle from a cartwheeling car in the C final while trying to marshall another upside down vehicle. After he got hit I took on his position - he's still hobbling around the house this morning.
I think we also need to be wary of which marshalling positions we put juniors in and offer to swap with them where appropriate.

[Fast Eddie]

I wouldnt have enjoyed marshall point 2!! 5 was bad enough just before the end of the straight on the inside of the track. Somehow people would cartwheel on the straight which took me away from the chicane.
You can only do your best and remember whos fault the crash was in the first place. I crashed alot in the truck but was lucky to be marshalled by experienced team racers who were spot on.
To not be paying attention is just uselessness and unfortunately "they live amongst us"

[RDG 40]

point 2 was very hard i had the joy of having it for 2 races as no1 was in the next race.

I do agree at times some marshalls do take their time and we just have to reiterate the need to be watching carefully to aid drivers in their race. there are some people at the meetings that are not as able bodied as some of us but they do their very best to get there asap, i have to say you have to be patient with these people they try their best! its your mistake at end of the day.

But

this shouting from the rostrum isnt nice espcially when you have got there as quick as you can, it can be hard getting to a car and getting in way of others but ay thats just unlucky. I have one simple rule you shout at me il just not marshall you as quick! end of! unless i genuinly make a mistake and dint see it (like big Russ other week was completly out of my eyeline hence I dont mind the big man giving me greif.)

we have to remember its a fun day out, yes frustrating at times but thats life we choose to do this sport.

[Robbiejuk]

Well texting on your phone while your supposed be marshalling is definatly unacceptable. You should be concentrating on the track in front of you not telling the missus to get your dinner on as you will be home soon.

Unfortunatly with regards to marshalling and BRCA Insurance I believe you are only covered from being hit by a car at your marshalling point if you have entered the track to marshall another car and get hit by another car then your not covered. So if you shout at a marshall and he panics, runs out and gets hit by a car then you will probably be to blame in the eyes of the law.

The key is we all like to be marshalled pretty much straight away but you have to take into account that it is the marshals responsibilty that it is safe to do so, and only they can choose when they feel comfortable to attend to your car.

Next regional if we do have a problem area, such as point 2 in this instance then I will make sure that it is not manned by anyone young or vunerable.

Point 5 was quite hectic to, I stood in as we had an empty gap for one of the lower finals and I was running all over the place. My Father was marshalling just before the table top in that race and he is in his late sixties and obviously not as spritely as he used to be. Was nice to see the Steven Bond coming over and giving him a hand as he was struggleing to get to cars. Thanks for that Mr Bond.

Anyways I am sure Nathan will read this thread and it will be dealt with at Grantham on sunday.