Marshals, you know your place!

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Sir,

Among the letters in your May issue, John Winter calls for “action to be taken” to protect marshals and prevent future casualties. The solution is simple. Fire marshals should not step out from behind their protection to get a better view of approaching race cars, and paddock marshals should not go to a nearby flag station in order to spectate. Paddock marshals are not track marshals.

It is often said marshalling provides ‘the best seat in the house’ for the racing enthusiast. This veteran Sports Car Club of America marshal (CART & Formula One station chief) would add the caveat that track marshals are not spectators and should never lapse into that mode.

I AM, YOURS ETC,

Craig Thorton, New Jearsey, USA