How many international events do you volunteer for?

[TrueBlueFlyer]

I've been reading the threads here and there and noticed that a number of people volunteer for International events away from their home tracks.


If you're one of them please do share your experiences.


Does volunteering for International events limit the positions you can volunteer for? I noticed that most international officials at Singapore were either trackies or if they came from Australia, were specialist advising local senior marshals.

I'm interested in volunteering for a few international events next year so that's why I ask.

thanks,
--Russ

[racerkeke]

Nearly all the events I volunteer for are "international", mostly because there are very few pro events close by. It is easier (and often cheaper) that way. For a few years it cost the same to fly to Toronto as to Le Mans. Given the option, who wouldn't choose international?

I can't control the stupidity of airline fares but I can control my experience level. Please understand that this freedom only comes after 33 years "on the bank" -- and a willingness to do in Rome as the Romans do, always keeping in mind my personal perception of safety.

Everything I have learned from international events has been filtered through common sense. Sometimes what I learn is that I never want to do that particular event/series again. Sometimes what I learn is that there are other ways of handling similar situations, and that no single way is "right", except in context. There are things I do at Le Mans which would be absolutely foolhardy at Silverstone.

And never assume when you go home that your non-travelling compatriots will treat you as the Second Coming for having been somewhere else. Name-dropping will not help your cause. But using the adaptability and other skills you honed at international events can help you, and eventually your homies may come around.

Or not. But by then you'll have enough friends internationally that it won't matter.
keke

[White flag man]

Firstly, except that they may do things differently than your country, sometimes for the better, sometimes not, live and learn.
Marshalled the Spa 24hrs and 2 races at Nurburgring (Nordschleife). Plan to do more next year, finances/time allowing. Loved every minute.
In the countries you work as a team, so you rotate incident/flag/rest.
Get involved, get to know people and I'm sure, like I did, you'll have a great time.
As for who to contact. I'm afraid, as far as I was concerned, it was knowing someone who knew someone etc. You may find, as I did, people (with the connections)are just looking for someone to share the cost of the trip.

[theracegypsy]

These days it is easy to contact foreign events using the internet. Either use personal contacts or look on event web sites for the Chief Marshal/Flag Chief. F1 if often different, with local restrictions. Le Mans you need to get the application via your ASN.

You don't state your experience level, but most foreign events expect you to be graded above trainee (ie divisional or national if your licence ids issues by SCCA).

[TrueBlueFlyer]

You know I've been really eager to get involved in motorsporsts in one way or another while living in the US and anything I inquired I was simply ignored or rejected. It seemed to me that the same mentality applied as with many car clubs... there were cliques of people that always complained that there's not enough people for this or not enough people for that, but if and when I asked "How can I get involved?" the impression I got in return was "who are you..."

I'm hoping that I'm wrong about this assessment but I have a feeling that's what it was.

The nice thing about Singapore, I was able to apply online. Initially was turned down, put on a waiting list and then activated. It was a great experience and I feel like if there are events in the future I would be better considered by expressing my interest through the Singapore outfit than directly through the internet sites of individual events or those that are responsible for marshaling there. Whether its true or not, doesn't really matter... I'm just happy to have an opportunity to participate now for the love of the sport and the excitement of doing something more than just watching the race.


Marshaling is also a fantastic excuse to travel. I just started traveling recently and many of the trips are basically in response to cheap airfare or mistake fares found on FlyerTalk etc. Having a schedule now to travel with a purpose is a really fantastic experience and will hopefully result in many great friendships.

So yeah, looking forward to as many events as I can afford in the future.

[racerkeke]

Originally Posted by TrueBlueFlyer

You know I've been really eager to get involved in motorsports in one way or another while living in the US and anything I inquired I was simply ignored or rejected. It seemed to me that the same mentality applied as with many car clubs... there were cliques of people that always complained that there's not enough people for this or not enough people for that, but if and when I asked "How can I get involved?" the impression I got in return was "who are you..."

Then, with all due respect, you were misled. Or you may have just hit the wrong person at the wrong time. Or it may have been a function of where you were located -- not much grassroots road racing in NYC. Most SCCA flagging & communications folks are truly interested in "corrupting" just about anyone they can get their hands on!
keke

[TrueBlueFlyer]

Originally Posted by racerkeke

Then, with all due respect, you were misled. Or you may have just hit the wrong person at the wrong time. Or it may have been a function of where you were located -- not much grassroots road racing in NYC. Most SCCA flagging & communications folks are truly interested in "corrupting" just about anyone they can get their hands on!
keke

This is true. The closest track near to where I live is probably Poconos... which is a little over an hour drive. Watkins Glen is about three and a half hour drive. Singapore was 10 minute walk

[White flag man]

Originally Posted by TrueBlueFlyer

This is true. The closest track near to where I live is probably Poconos... which is a little over an hour drive. Watkins Glen is about three and a half hour drive. Singapore was 10 minute walk

If you're ever heading to the UK, give us a shout, we've got quite a few really good meetings.................and the rest are just good.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by TrueBlueFlyer

I feel like if there are events in the future I would be better considered by expressing my interest through the Singapore outfit than directly through the internet sites of individual events or those that are responsible for marshaling there. Whether its true or not, doesn't really matter...

Funny cause my entry to the US (to be honest it was actually only half of it since we started with 2 events back-to-back and already got a contact for the other one) was done thru the internet applying for the first GP @ Indy. Got in which only got things started! But even this year I used THIS forum to get me to Imola - worked perfect again!

So yes, knowing some people will make things much more easy - but don´t hesitate to show your ambitions using the net or contact a track/race organization directly - and underline your experiences along the line. The worst thing that can happen is a (temporary) rejection - better luck next time!

[TrueBlueFlyer]

someone posted recently that the GP of Americas likely won't happen in 2012... So any way you look at it, I'm only left with one choice: volunteering internationally!

[NewYankee01]

Originally Posted by TrueBlueFlyer

someone posted recently that the GP of Americas likely won't happen in 2012... So any way you look at it, I'm only left with one choice: volunteering internationally!

I might offend you here but canada is next door, to me marshalling internationally is when you have something to cross, like the sea!

our neck of the woods we marshal at knockhill and pembrey/angelsey, in different countries scotland and wales but youd get strange looks if you considered that international marshalling! suppose its only a 200 mile trip for most people to cross the border...

[Mark Mitchell]

I can get to Toronto faster than someone living in Vancouver!!
Canada is really quite a big bit of land!!!

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by TrueBlueFlyer

someone posted recently that the GP of Americas likely won't happen in 2012... So any way you look at it, I'm only left with one choice: volunteering internationally!

I see that you´re talking F1 only, such a shame, there´s a LOT of other stuff (way better in my opinion but that´s personal) out there to marshal and since you´ve only just started - if I´m correct - why not grab a couple of those opportunities to not only gain some valuable experience but also to enjoy different type of events and/or racing series? I´m sure you´ll love it! And on top of that it will improve your changes of getting selected (if necessary) for other international events. Call that a win-win-win situation!

[deadsquirrel]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

I see that you´re talking F1 only, such a shame, there´s a LOT of other stuff (way better in my opinion but that´s personal)

Like NASCAR, eh?

[TrueBlueFlyer]

I'm very new to this so besides F1 I don't really know what races to consider volunteering for. I'd be foolish to say that I'd volunteer for all of them since my budget it quite limited. F1 appeals to me not just for the race, but the entire atmosphere that the event creates.

Canada, Montreal specifically, was atop my list before I realized I had an opportunity to come to New Zealand on a one-year working holiday visa. Now I'm here and suddenly Canada is a bit far... But I do love Montreal, its only 8 hour drive from NJ area and the closest GP until the NJ GP happens, if it ever will.

[theracegypsy]

TBF <Looking back through this thread, am I missing something here.

You still haven't stated your experience level, and I must reiterate, no GP organiser is going to take marshals who do not have at least a basic marshal track licence.

You really need to get a grounding in on-track experience with a licence at local or national level before applying for GPs, either your own ASN's or international ones.

Remember the people you are seeing on here talking international meetings have been marshalling club and national events for years, in most cases decades
.
When you are back in the USA join SCCA, if in Australia, join Cams. Not sure who is the organisation in New Zealand, Wolley can probably tell you.

[Bodysnatcher]

Originally Posted by theracegypsy

TBF <Looking back through this thread, am I missing something here.

You still haven't stated your experience level, and I must reiterate, no GP organiser is going to take marshals who do not have at least a basic marshal track licence.

No Bob, I don't think you've missed anything. The elephant in the room may be that TBF has started in Singapore and may ( I suspect) only have done one or two events. He (or she) could be the first that starts off at an F1 GP and works his/her way down.

TBF - what racegypsy is hinting at tho nobody has had the balls to mention straight out yet is that it may be difficult (note not impossible) for you to be invited/accepted for an F1 event in a country with motor racing heritage if all that you have done is F1 in Singapore. An event where selection to marshal is different from most events.
For example those selected for the British Grand Prix usually have a year's worth of experience and must normally have done a minimum of 13 days in the previous year.

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by Bodysnatcher

He (or she) could be the first that starts off at an F1 GP and works his/her way down.

Or up, depending on your point of view! This, of course, is another symptom FIA thinking marshalling is easy and anyone can do it. Not the poster's fault - or other marshals at these events - but the organisers are taking a huge risk with people's lives throwing them in at this level with insufficient experience.

For New Zealand, Motorsport NZ is the organiser, not a lot of marshalling info on their website, though. Failing that, contact your nearest circuit:

North - Pukekohe, Hampton Downs, Hamilton (for Aussie V8s)
Central - Taupo, Manfield (Palmerston North)
South - Ruapuna (Christchurch), Timaru, Teratonga (Invercargill)

On top of which there's a whole host of hillclimbs, rallies or even jetboats - loads to do to have fun and gain experience without needing to head expensively offshore.

[TrueBlueFlyer]

hey racegypsy you're stating the facts correctly, I did start out with SGP with no prior experience.


I do obviously want to get involved at whatever level I can, so am hopeful things will progress in New Zealand. already reached out to them and see where that goes. Hoping to make some friends too as I'm a pedestrian in Auckland and getting to the track may be tricky without a car. But we'll see.


there's a formula drift event coming up, got a suggestion thru fb to attend as a spectator, so I e-mailed to ask if they need any track marshals there.

in defense of Singapore GP they did things safely and professionally, all of their training was previously done by CAMS so I don't think they cut any corners. we did have a number of classroom/theory meetings and a number of go cart and street car events (with one of the events held at Johor Circuit in Malaysia) before the actual F1 SGP. the event was well staffed so if anyone didn't feel safe doing something there were plenty of others with different qualification levels who could step in.

--Russ

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by TrueBlueFlyer

I do obviously want to get involved at whatever level I can, so am hopeful things will progress in New Zealand. already reached out to them and see where that goes. Hoping to make some friends too as I'm a pedestrian in Auckland and getting to the track may be tricky without a car. But we'll see.

I'll try to chase up a couple of contacts for you, then. Travel from Auckland to Puke or Hampton hadn't ought to be a problem, from memory there's a number making that trip.

[TrueBlueFlyer]

Originally Posted by Woolley

I'll try to chase up a couple of contacts for you, then. Travel from Auckland to Puke or Hampton hadn't ought to be a problem, from memory there's a number making that trip.

thank you kindly!

I'm off to convert my US CDL to a New Zealand driver's license. Maybe that will prove useful for something at some stage within the next 12 months