Marshalling as a Sport

You are probably reading this because you enjoy the sound, smell and excitement of fast cars, and you want to get involved in motor sport. But involvement generally costs money, except for Marshalling, the one activity in motor sport that costs virtually nothing.

Many people find marshalling a worthwhile and absorbing activity in its own right. By marshalling you can participate fully in the running of events and, in the case of sprints run on MoD airfields, it’s the only way you can get to spectate. And you can get close to the action, and have access to the paddock, where you can chat to drivers and their crews, and inspect the cars at close quarters. In addition, you earn the respect of those taking part, and gain satisfaction from knowing that the sport cannot function without people like you. There are fringe benefits too, like a free lunch and a chance to win a prize in the Marshals’ draw!

The only qualification you need to go Marshalling is enthusiasm, the more the better! All you need to do is to turn up at an event and make yourself known to the Chief Marshal. You will be allocated to a post with experienced marshals, who will explain all you need to know about flagging, communications, and incident management.

After a few events, when you’ve developed a taste for this activity, you will probably feel that you could benefit from some formal training. Marshals’ Training days are held at venues across the region throughout the year. You can gain certificates demonstrating your competence which enable you to offer your services anywhere in the country.

Marshalling doesn’t just mean standing by a track at a sprint or hillclimb with a flag and a fire extinguisher– it could mean organising competitors in the paddock, startline duties, even manning the radio in race control. It also covers timing an AutoSOLO or running a section on a Trial.

Event Organisers and Officials are always much in demand, and you can move into this field by organising a small event, e.g. an Autotest, under guidance from a committee member. You might want to join the organising team for a major speed event, then if you want to progress up to Clerk of the Course level, you can be nominated for a probationary licence and follow a modular training programme.

There is a national shortage of Licensed Scrutineers. The minimum age for a Trainee Scrutineer is 16 years, and promotion to Scrutineer is by on-the-job training, experience and recommendation. Timekeepers are also licensed by the MSA, which has a group of Timekeeping Training Co-ordinators, who will arrange a training programme for Assistant or Trainee Timekeepers.

If you want to run an event – whether motor sport or social – there is no shortage of people with experience who will help and advise you.