Race of Champions - new opportunity to marshal

[Chris Hobson]

I have just been contacted by the organisers again - they now need more marshals than was earlier anticipated.

I understand they have sent out invitations to BMMC/BRMC, BRSCC and BARC asking them each to provide marshals.

I am co-ordinating this new call on behalf of BMMC/BRMC - and the two marshals who volunteered via the earlier thread are already on the list.

The "telegenic" requirement has been eased - but we will need to look good in front of 80,000 spectators and God knows how many TV viewers

The details are as follows
Date 15th / 16th December 2007
Marshals needed from BMMC/BRMC 20
Type Flag, course and paddock (duties will be rotated)
Duty rosta Sat 7:30am Briefing - 6pm / Sunday 8am - 7pm
Marshals will meet close to Wembley, then will be bussed in to the venue

Volunteers to me via e-mail (bmmc.chair@btinternet.com) by 9 November latest. I will then advise succesful applicants after that date.

Details needed
Name
Grade & Experience
Height, Chest, Waist and inside leg measurements (for the overalls!)

[The STIG]

Just to check something - What about accomodation?

[Paul Newns]

No mention of expenses being paid, either?

[Darren Holmes]

From Original Thread

"The marshals will be needed for all three days from 8:30am to probably 10:00pm. No payment is being considered, nor will there be any spare tickets, accomodation etc. Even parking might not be allowed and officials may have to be bussed in from a remote location.

Because this is a television event more than a motorsport one, presentation is all. Those organising the marshalling have been told all marshals must be "20 to 40 years old, with an appearance that will come across well on TV" (so my 59 years, fifteen stone weight and bald head rule me out!). They will also be working in front of 80,000 spectators as well as the TVcameras - so any mistakes will be very public"

This is just my opinion and my choice, but its no surprise given the ridiculous criteria they imposed in the first place that they have needed to relax the rules.

I personally say if the less photogenic (and beauty is the eye of the beholder) of us were not good enough for them first time round, now they appear to be more desperate, stuff them. For me they can stick their fantastic Marshalling opportunity up there @#!@

I will stick to the clubs and circuits that we are welcomed at, no matter how old we are or how pretty.

I have just got home from the Birkett at Silverstone, where the sign on was quick and trouble free, the other Marshals were great company, and without exception (I think) all of the drivers on the "in lap" acknowledged us and even the commentators took time to thank us, it made the battle with the chilling Silverstone winds for 6+ hrs well worth it (and we didn't need to be "bussed" anywhere!!!!

[gachjoel]

Darren,
i must say i second you on that one....

anyway,how often do you see a close of a marshal on tv ?

[blackx]

Originally Posted by Darren Holmes

From Original Thread

This is just my opinion and my choice, but its no surprise given the ridiculous criteria they imposed in the first place that they have needed to relax the rules.

I personally say if the less photogenic (and beauty is the eye of the beholder) of us were not good enough for them first time round, now they appear to be more desperate, stuff them. For me they can stick their fantastic Marshalling opportunity up there @#!@

I will stick to the clubs and circuits that we are welcomed at, no matter how old we are or how pretty.

I have just got home from the Birkett at Silverstone, where the sign on was quick and trouble free, the other Marshals were great company, and without exception (I think) all of the drivers on the "in lap" acknowledged us and even the commentators took time to thank us, it made the battle with the chilling Silverstone winds for 6+ hrs well worth it (and we didn't need to be "bussed" anywhere!!!!

Perhaps they could ask Simon Cowell to hold auditions and select "suitable" people.....

What a complete load of codswallop.....

Lets hope they struggle......




*In edit*

I'm surprised and very dissapointed that the major clubs appear to agree with this and are willingly trying to recruit marshals...

[Tim Hull]

I wouldnt make the grade because I exceed their criteria

[rescue dude]

Got to agree with Darren on this.


Timmy you know you stand head and shoulders above the rest in my book.

[snett fan55]

As an ex marshall,more now a spectator may I say that ALL marshals are appreciated, the more colorful the better!Particularly recall the guy with the biggest "mutton chops" I've ever seen(mostly at Snetterton, my local track.)

[Mark Mitchell]

As far as I'm concerned, I am a Motor SPORT Marshal, not a Motor SHOW Marshal.
The general conscensus here seems to be **** 'em down at Wembley!

[ian_c_uk]

I'm another in the same boat, really wanted to marshal this originally, but if this is their approach then no thanks!

[devon kev]

I'm with Darren on this one em
I'm going that week-end

[Pike]

IMHO if your marshalling then you should at least get a free ticket if nothing else, trouble being with Wembley is that its location means parking is difficult at the best of time so I guess hence the busing in thing. Oh and the other thing who ever mentions looking good on TV for the Grand Prix which is the biggest watched annual sporting event?

[The STIG]

It's not fair to expect us to give up our time to work for them for nothing, and be expected to buy your way into the venue too. To me, just the ticket is enough.

I am interested in doing the event - but it's an awkward part of the world to find cheap accomodation and parking is a nightmare

[Tim Hull]

Originally Posted by rescue dude

Timmy you know you stand head and shoulders above the rest in my book.

Aw thanks Rescue Dude , but I thought it was head,shoulders, knees and toes

[blackx]

Originally Posted by The STIG

It's not fair to expect us to give up our time to work for them for nothing, and be expected to buy your way into the venue too. To me, just the ticket is enough.

I am interested in doing the event - but it's an awkward part of the world to find cheap accomodation and parking is a nightmare

You get your admission....


And the privelage of marshaling the event

[The STIG]

no guest passes? unusual.

[blackx]

Originally Posted by The STIG

no guest passes? unusual.

Have you read the quote on page 1 of this thread ??

[Chris Hobson]

I do not know if they are helping towards expenses - as per most metings in this country I would suspect not. Certainly their is no accomodation.

As for Blackx's comments - if it is a motorsort meeting that is recognised by the MSA then I am quite happy to provide the opportunity for those who want to marshal to do so. If you do not want to go, then don't - but why deny others the oportunity just because you disagree with some aspect of the event?

Personally, I do not do the GP nowadays - but I still promote the opportunity for any member of BMMC to marshal it - and do all the admin for them. It is a free world ater all (isn't it?)

[M Greenslade]

You know what you can do with your Race of Champions!!!

Balders

[rescue dude]

I can see it now................."Thats it darling wave the flag.........wave the flag..............Teeth darling we need to see teeth............Thats it lovely. Cut.....cut we need more make up on post 4. One more time luvvies and............Action!!!."

There was me thinking this was a professionally organised event......oh well.

[mmm_five]

I suppose I could get the gimp suit out of retirement - a bit of silcone spray and at least I'll be tall & dark - and the handsome bit would just have to be left to the viewers' imaginations

[Woolley]

I have to admit to a certain amount of amusement here - not sure what the French is for 'schadenfreude' but I guess that's what we're experiencing here.

I'm assuming the organisers viewed marshals as a fashion accessory, and possibly a bunch of freeloaders, and so imposed a curious selection criteria to wheedle the numbers down. It would further appeal that this has been too succesful, probably because we're such an ugly bunch no-one fitted the criteria (well, let's face it, if we were attractive we wouldn't be marshalling on a week-end, would we?)

Anyway, they now want us - I'd like to think because they've realised what we're actually there for - and I'd like to thank Chris for making the opportunity available through here. The unsurprisingly derisive response is in no way a reflection of Chris's role, but to yet another organiser who simply fails to understand the basis of marshalling in this country.

I'm not sure whether a second ticket is on offer, but I'd like to think that under the circumstances, the organisers could be encouraged to spend a little of the huge profits this event should generate on placing the marshals in similar accomodation to that enjoyed by the drivers and paid organisation team. Maybe then we'd feel we were a genuine, respected part of the event rather than an unfortunately necessary add-on.

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally Posted by Woolley

The unsurprisingly derisive response is in no way a reflection of Chris's role, but to yet another organiser who simply fails to understand the basis of marshalling in this country.

Absolutely.......we just don't like the French!

[blackx]

Originally Posted by Chris Hobson

As for Blackx's comments - if it is a motorsort meeting that is recognised by the MSA then I am quite happy to provide the opportunity for those who want to marshal to do so. If you do not want to go, then don't - but why deny others the oportunity just because you disagree with some aspect of the event?
)

I was in no way knocking at you personally Chris as I as well as others know the sterling work you do for the club and its members but...



You must admit it stinks doesnt it really ??

You gotta be photogenic in order to get to marshal !!!!

So it says by implementing that criteria that the actual ability of any marshal there is secondary.....


I wasnt planning to marshal this event anyway but if I had been I would certainly have changed my mind once I had read exactly what the organisers wanted....