How to...

…get started as a marshal. It’s not all standing around in an orange boiler suit…

Would you like to go motor racing every weekend? For free? You can, but first you must train to be a marshal, part of which means you won’t mind a bit of camping and a lot of standing around in the rain.

Still interested? If you are, then one of the best ways of becoming a marshal is to train with the British Automobile Racing Club – an organisation with a fine tradition of supporting the sport in Britain.

In simple terms, a marshal’s job is to ensure that events are run smoothly and safely; that competitors are protected both from themselves and others around them. Dealing with incidents is a serious business.

Marshals are trained to deal with accidents. fires, rapid deployment of warning flags, communications and first aid.   

Paddock and start-line marshals are also responsible for ensuring that cars and drivers get out to qualify on time and lining up entries on the grid for the start. 

All this is very much a team effort and many marshals enjoy the social life that goes with being part of a highly trained group of people.

If you think you have the dedication, the commitment and the aptitude you can learn more about the training from Sara Wernham at the BARC. Tel: 01264 882210 or e-mail: swernham@barc.net