[275 GTB-4]

I have read with interest the debate going on with respect to British Officials. Agree with some/disagree with others. Today two senior Aussie Marshals cried enough!! I refer to Bloke and Critter. To calmly say "if you don't like it, don't volunteer!" seems a tad lame to me (IMHO).

In every sphere of life and and in every activity we get to participate in during our short stay on the planet there are always those who want to gain an advantage, use and abuse or **** in the nest of others.

There is a common thread throughout these forums, officials are generally taken for granted - end of story. There will always be a bank of newbies willing to put up with just about anything to have a go. But, to leave the current situation as it is and not try to improve their lot and thereby the wellbeing and performance of officialdom is regressive. Advances are being made with every other aspect of the sport, why not improvements for Marshals? Learned helplessness is a term in vogue over here (probably stolen from the 'states) and it is a dangerous disease (IMHO). To continually say "don't rock the boat" means that (wait for it!) NOTHING will ever change!!

I don't advocate wholesale disruption to a sporting event and never will. But, marshals can exercise their voices (and power) in a way that leaves the corporate sector in no doubt that they are a force to be reckoned with. Just a hint of "denial of labour" will produce results. The hard part is getting volunteer marshals to realise that something needs to be done and that is worth doing in the interests of the sport!

The simplest and best thing that could happen would be for Marshals to appoint an erudite advocate with some guts (I'm being careful here not to advocate a union which could easily become a politicised toothless tiger). However, with the right promotion (mailout to start with) and support, SOMETHING might be achieved.

Thats my tuppence worth - come on people - lets bring about some change for the good.

Yours in Motorsport.......