2009 Grand Prix volunteering forms

[MrTT]

Hi i know its a bit early to be asking but is there anychance any1 could spare me a guest ticket as im bringing my brother down 17 and dont want him to be on his own thoughout the weekend while im marshalling the gp. Falling this does anyone know if i could just get a extra pass for the campsite and il happly buy a gp ticket.

[Stephen Green]

You are given a guest ticket anyway, are you asking for an additional one?

[Red_08]

Originally Posted by Piglet

Presumably they wouldn't have known how many people had applied until they had all applied? Not sure how they could have known ahead of that?

That's true, yep. Being as I hadn't done a GP before though I would have known not to send in my application, had that been the criteria.

For those that are going though, let's hope it's a good one.

[deadsquirrel]

Selection criteria can't be easy to determine - and I don't envy the selection committee their task - they're always going to disappoint people when there's too many volunteers.

I have no hesitation in saying that filtering on 'home circuit' is unlikely and a bit disingenuous to suggest.

If they take people who've never done a GP it means someone who's done the GP for 20 years gets to do a 21st - if they take people that have only done a GP before, no new marshals get to play. Which is fairer - I don't know.

At some point I'm sure it got down to a group of competent, experienced GP marshals that is still larger than the available spaces - at which point maybe it was a lottery - pick out the X number of incident marshals needed or maybe they went through individually and picked names.

I know I'd be upset if I hadn't been accepted (clearly I have been) - I marshalled close to 50 days last year, at all levels from club to international level in UK and abroad.

Most days at a circuit in the UK last year was probably Donington.

[Guinness2702]

Bottom line for me is I'm disappointed, but I don't have any right to marhsal the GP, so c'est la vie!

What I would be interested in knowing though (and I suspect that nobody knows the answer, so consider it a rhetorical question) is; what do I have to do to increase my chances of being accepted next year?

[cowchap]

maybe they just went on attractiveness-i got in

[White flag man]

Originally Posted by cowchap

maybe they just went on attractiveness-i got in

I think I blew that theory out of the water!

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Guinness2702

What I would be interested in knowing though (and I suspect that nobody knows the answer, so consider it a rhetorical question) is; what do I have to do to increase my chances of being accepted next year?

To be honest, I suspect that no one knows the answer to that one as the selection criteria for 2010 will probably depend on the number of volunteers for that race.

With regards to increasing your chances of being accepted, my advice would be to do the events that you think will be the most enjoyable. That way, if you get selected then its a bonus, if not then at least you will have some good meetings to look back on.

[Hepatic]

surprised no one has mentioned Goodwood yet...
...they are over subscribed every year and are always rejecting some applications. People see that as the norm and don't really mention it, but this is probably the 1st time so many extras have volunteered for the GP. Combination of the last one at 'stone (maybe last British one ever...!) the Hamilton factor and the great work so many people have done to recruit so many more marshals.

As Dave said, its supply and demand. For once the supply is outstripping the demand, surely thats a good thing? Either way, anyone looking for something to fill the F1 void will be more than welcome at Oulton where you are guaranteed to get ya hands on a car of some sort

[Justin Moran]

Even if its just walking round the paddock!

[blueoval2]

I think for some it is not knowing why we were told no and again another question there is possibly no answer for as has been said too many marshals for too few spaces, maybe our turn next year

[Piglet]

Originally Posted by Guinness2702

What I would be interested in knowing though (and I suspect that nobody knows the answer, so consider it a rhetorical question) is; what do I have to do to increase my chances of being accepted next year?

If I were to speculate (and it would be speculation) I think what would work in your favour would be a mix of meetings from clubbies to internationals and a mix of meetings for different clubs. IMO both of these indicate some flexibility and adaptability and these things are crucial for the GP.

In my own discipline (Pits) there are always some experienced marshals who get "stood down" each year as we can only have a limited number (26 ish in total usually) so if existing marshals didn't get stood down we could never take new marshals and that isn't good for the future, the GP should be achievable and not just a case of "dead mans shoes".

I think this year was always going to be "different" as the last Silverstone GP, lots of uncertainty about the future of the GP generally and "Lewismania" as well so I imagine that decisions had to be made this year that were much more difficult that in previous years.

[Nadine J Lewis]

When I spoke to the MSL they said there were 100 more applicants for incident marshals than places so they had to set criteria for elimination. There were also fewer places available compared to last year - so this squeezed the number of possibles to start with.

The first criteria was if you had not done it before you would not be selected. Then I guess they had some others (unknown) to reduce the number further.

In future years I would suggest everyone who wants to go volunteers and if there are less volunteers you stand a better chance - enough people did it their "first" time once so it's not to say that won't happen again.

Circumstances this year meant people were bound to lose out.

And yes I'm on the scrounge for a spare if anyone has one - we promised Ian's brother he could go this year.............pretty please anyone!

[Miss Pebbles]

2009 - last one at Silverstone
2010 - first one at Donington?

If people are doing it for the milestones then I'd guess there'll be the same problem next year too.

But as has been said, surely its only a good thing that we have so many marshals available, and hopefully the other events running on that weekend wont be struggling for once

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by Piglet

If I were to speculate (and it would be speculation) I think what would work in your favour would be a mix of meetings from clubbies to internationals and a mix of meetings for different clubs. IMO both of these indicate some flexibility and adaptability and these things are crucial for the GP.

Last season, I did 750MC, BTCC, AMOC, WSR, MGCC, F3/GT, BARC, Trucks, Ginetta + others I'm sure. I did incident, flagging, pit, assembly, and startline, at 8 different circuits. I shudder to think what I'd need to do to prove myself more flexible.

[cowchap]

Originally Posted by Miss Pebbles

2009 - last one at Silverstone
2010 - first one at Donington?

If people are doing it for the milestones then I'd guess there'll be the same problem next year too.

But as has been said, surely its only a good thing that we have so many marshals available, and hopefully the other events running on that weekend wont be struggling for once

When the move was announced at last years race a lot of people said they wouldnt do it at Donnington-though that could well have been a heat of the moment reaction

[Motorsportgirli]

Originally Posted by Guinness2702

Last season, I did 750MC, BTCC, AMOC, WSR, MGCC, F3/GT, BARC, Trucks, Ginetta + others I'm sure. I did incident, flagging, pit, assembly, and startline, at 8 different circuits. I shudder to think what I'd need to do to prove myself more flexible.

Guinness, i recall you saying it was your first season this year, i think that was probably a reason, its not a matter of proving yourself, i think they will look at your time in the role not the number of days as days on the bank doesnt automatically mean experience in incident situations but thats a completely different thread!!!!

I know that they scottish guys with animal hats will not be there this year too and they have been an institution there for a while, I think it must have been tough for the panel to make the decisions, i wouldnt of liked their job this year!!

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by Guinness2702

what do I have to do to increase my chances of being accepted next year?

Move to Dubai or Bahrain?

[speedy jon]

Originally Posted by MarshalGirl

I have been advised that if you have never done a GP your application for incident was dismissed immediately

if this is the case how do you get to do a gp if your application is rejected for not having done a gp.

im a little disapointed having not been excepted this yr but theres alway next yr and i can understand if there is too many applications there will be people who are rejected.
just got to find a event to do instead now.

[kipper]

Originally Posted by speedy jon

if this is the case how do you get to do a gp if your application is rejected for not having done a gp.

I suspect that only relates to the criteria used this year. I guess the selection process changes depending on the number of marshals that volunteer and the number allowed by the FIA. Its an unfortunate situation to have, although the postive in it is that marshal numbers do seem to be on the increase.

[Stephen Green]

I had marshalled for over 6 years before I was accepted to officiate at the GP. Of course back then there were a lot more marshals to choose from. With all the sterling work done by Team Wilson and others to recruit new marshals it was eventually going to create the situation we had those many years ago, more marshals than available places. It's sad for those who have been turned down but keep applying and I am sure you will eventually succeed,

[Piglet]

Originally Posted by Guinness2702

Last season, I did 750MC, BTCC, AMOC, WSR, MGCC, F3/GT, BARC, Trucks, Ginetta + others I'm sure. I did incident, flagging, pit, assembly, and startline, at 8 different circuits. I shudder to think what I'd need to do to prove myself more flexible.

Given that I don't know who you are I'm clearly not discussing "your" application.

I was trying to answer your question generally about how one makes oneself look more attractive for selection.

As it appears that because of excess numbers for incident this year was restricted to those that had done a GP before then you (personally) presumably didn't get over that hurdle so just keep doing what you enjoy and ensure a mix of meetings and clubs.

I wonder what next year will bring (assuming a GP?) will there be lots of marshals to do the first Donny GP or lots who will regard this year as an end of an era for them and not bother to make the change?

[Paul Newns]

Originally Posted by Motorsportgirli

I know that the scottish guys with animal hats will not be there this year

None of the Knockhill guys! That's a real shame because they are a great bunch and a terrific laugh. The fact that they all travel so far proves their dedication.

I'll just have to come up to see you at BTCC instead.

[gc1arke]

Originally Posted by Paul Newns

None of the Knockhill guys! That's a real shame because they are a great bunch and a terrific laugh. The fact that they all travel so far proves their dedication.

I'll just have to come up to see you at BTCC instead.

Some of the Scottish guys have made it in - just don't know the exact numbers! Don't let that stop you coming up for the BTCC though

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by Motorsportgirli

Guinness, i recall you saying it was your first season this year, i think that was probably a reason, its not a matter of proving yourself,

Originally Posted by Piglet

Given that I don't know who you are I'm clearly not discussing "your" application.

Oops, this is getting out of hand. I was kidding - like I already said, "I'm disappointed, but c'est la vie"