Marshals; what they really mean to motor sport.

I'm going to start with a question. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of a race weekend? The stars, the cars, the weather and the atmosphere were probably some of the answers you thought of....

I think it's fair to say that marshals are the most important people who attend any motor sport event. Without the guys and girls in orange, no racing would happen. It's as simple as that. The reason that the majority of marshals get into the industry, is because of their passion and dedication to the sport they love. They give their all to ensure that motor racing events run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
     Next time you watch a motor sport race, no matter what or where, take a look at how many marshals you see at the sides of the track. Ten, twenty, thirty... Every single marshal that you see is there for one reason - to do a job they love. And there are all there voluntarily.

Passion and dedication: Marshals doing their bit for the sport they love.
Picture Credit: Daniel Wiggins.

In every motor racing series - from small club events to highly publicised worldwide events such as the BTCC and Formula One - marshals are needed at every track, for every race, every year. So far this year, we have seen our marshals put to practise in some high drama incidents. For example, the opening round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch saw an oil spillage on the track lead to seven cars crash out of race three. The marshals were on the scene before the dust had even settled back on to the ground and cleared the track quickly and efficiently in order to get the action back under way. Also in the BTCC, a fiery final race at Croft also saw marshals quickly put out Liam Griffin's flaming Ford Focus after an impact with the barrier.

Carnage: Marshals were on the scene quickly at Brands Hatch after
seven cars made it into the gravel after an oil spillage.
Picture Credit: Daniel Wiggins.

It's not just the "rubbing is racing" forms of motor sport that require the services of the marshals during a race weekend. Formula One stars sometimes get it wrong too. The Canadian Grand Prix in 2012 saw numerous cars fall off the track at numerous points over the weekend. Small events, such as local hill climbs and club meetings also rely heavily on volunteers willing to give up their spare time to help make events run smoothly.

Oops: Jean Eric Vergne's Toro Rosso being recovered
by marshalsat the Canadian GP 2012.
Picture Credit: Tasha Baptie.

I spoke to a few people who marshal at circuits over the length and breadth of Britain. One of the main aspects of marshalling that made people want to get involved was the buzz of being so close to the on-track action. This comes from a marshal at Oulton Park; "We may work in all weathers, have to put up with some appalling conditions and do it for free - but the rush you get standing so close to the track is amazing. I'd never give it up."

Smaller, less publicised events also rely on volunteers giving
up their time to ensure things run smoothly.
Picture Credit: Craig Steele.

With all aspects of motor sport, the highs come with the lows. Marshals have to be on their guard throughout every second of a race, as literally anything could happen at any time. Marshals are trained to the highest standards to ensure that they are prepared for the unexpected.

In writing this article, I would love to be able to inspire just one person to sign up and become a marshal. Go Motorsport UK is one of the main websites that provide useful information on how to go about becoming a marshal. MSA Director of Training and Education, Allan Dean-Lewis MBE, told me a little about why marshals are so important in today's motor racing world - and also gives some tips on how to become a marshal:

"All volunteer officials, including marshals, are absolutely vital to motor sport; without them, there simply would not be a sport for the rest of us to enjoy, whether as competitors or spectators.
     "There are currently around 6,000 MSA-registered marshals across the UK, all of whom are vital to the safe and effective running of the 4,500 MSA-permitted events that take place each year. The MSA runs around 160 free training seminars annually for its volunteer officials, which helps to make British marshals some of the best in the world. That's why our marshals are so highly regarded internationally, and why hundreds of them officiate at overseas events every season.
     "Becoming an MSA-registered marshal is a great way to get more closely involved in the sport and join a community of like-minded enthusiasts. Anybody interested in getting started should head to the 'Go Help' section of GoMotorsport.net, where they will find a list of clubs they can join as well as information about the MSA-backed 'Volunteers in Motorsport' initiative."

This feature, which was first shown as a part of the BBC F1 coverage of the 2011 British Grand Prix, shows pit lane reporter Ted Kratiz seeing what it's like to be a marshal on one of the fastest circuits in the UK. This video is a great insight into what to expect during a race day if you were to sign up to become a marshal in the future.

One of the main reasons that I decided to write this article, was down to the fact that I wanted to know your thoughts and opinions of marshals and the job that they do. Here are some of the responses that you gave...

Scott Mitchell: "A massively undervalued resource in British motor sport. Without them, we wouldn't be able to race. Under-appreciated. Undervalued."

James Wilson: "An admirable job they do - and they risk their lives to keep the show going."

Cat McCann: "They're awesome! They're full of knowledge, helpful and most importantly - dedicated. I just wish I had more time to join them."

Joe Brown: "Marshals are an essential part of our motor sport and ascent the heights from mere fandom to being involved in the sport that they love. They don't get paid, they have to make their own arrangements just so we can enjoy/partake in motor sport. Without them, we would lose our much loved sport."

Alan Faulkner: "Without the marshals, there wouldn't be any motor sport around the world. They are vital to every single race championship and to the world of motor sport."

There was one response that stuck out to me amongst the many I received. Three little words from Toby Tomlins summed up our marshals in one. "Heroes of the sport."

It seems that to fans of motor sport, not only in the UK, but throughout the world, marshals and the job that they do, are respected more today, than ever before.

You may remember that I started this article with a question. And I'm going to be finishing with one too.

What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of a race weekend?