who has the best marshals in the world?

[Johansen2000]

Following the rather lively and interesting debate about the standards of British marshals slipping, and one or 2 comments that British marshals may no longer be the best in the world I have been thinking....

If British marshals are not the best now, then who is???

I still strongly believe British marshals are among the best, but I have also seen some fantastic marshaling on tv from the Australian marshals and one or two other European countries....

[Peat]

Not entirely relevant, but i saw some of the WSBK from Laguna and it was remarked on the broadcast how low the average age of their marshals were compared to most other circuits/countries.

Thought that was quite interesting.

[Terrible-Tones]

In my view a moot question.

We are all marshals - whether Australian, British, American, Mongolian or whatever. Hopefully everyone marshals to the best of their ability and we are all one worldwide "family" with an inherent and positive interest in the sport.

Anyhow - how would you score or rate this to provide an answer to the question? So many factors!

On what basis do we make the statement "British Marshals are/were the best"? (This statement I personally find quite patronising and arrogant tbh - but that is a personal opinion - I just want to turn up, do the best I can and above all be professional about it, whilst having some fun and making some first class friends).

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by Terrible-Tones

On what basis do we make the statement "British Marshals are/were the best"? (This statement I personally find quite patronising and arrogant tbh - but that is a personal opinion - I just want to turn up, do the best I can and above all be professional about it, whilst having some fun and making some first class friends).

What's the point of getting into a p . . . , er, urinating contest?

[The Fat Clerk]

In my opinion the best Marshals in the world are the ones on my Scalextric circuit

[exflagman]

Is that 'cos they don't argue back or complain on the web - or have you just got the new 2014 virtual reality version?

[snoz wanger]

Best Marshals in the world?..........The ones who get out there and make a difference to the meeting, the ones who don't moan all day about short or no lunch breaks, the ones who know how to laugh and still do a professional and safe job .....and most important of all the ones who can talk complete garbage about strange obscure things all day and yet still appear to be interesting.....

Ill get me Coat............

[nate93]

Originally Posted by snoz wanger

Best Marshals in the world?..........The ones who get out there and make a difference to the meeting, the ones who don't moan all day about short or no lunch breaks, the ones who know how to laugh

+1 to that...

I've never understood why it's such a contest within marshalling, surely we all do it for fun and entertainment at weekends...

[White flag man]

Originally Posted by Terrible-Tones

In my view a moot question.

We are all marshals - whether Australian, British, American, Mongolian or whatever. Hopefully everyone marshals to the best of their ability and we are all one worldwide "family" with an inherent and positive interest in the sport.

Anyhow - how would you score or rate this to provide an answer to the question? So many factors!

On what basis do we make the statement "British Marshals are/were the best"? (This statement I personally find quite patronising and arrogant tbh - but that is a personal opinion - I just want to turn up, do the best I can and above all be professional about it, whilst having some fun and making some first class friends).

Totally agree.
What makes you say we are the best marshals, "because we.................
compared to our friends from abroad who......................."
As long as you try and do the best you can, with the knowledge you have and the equipment you've been given, when it's necessary, then IMO that's all we can ask. Not forgetting that, in the heat of the moment, we can all make mistakes.
I have marshalled with marshals from other European countries that were brilliant, and I would marshal with anytime, anywhere.
I'm sure our friend's in further afield places, such as Australia and America can be equally as good.
I have also marshalled with British marshals that were a danger to themselves and their colleagues, being more interested in how their teddy bears are feeling, and been given equipment to work with that was laughable but, I tried my best.

[SouthportFC Fan]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

In my opinion the best Marshals in the world are the ones on my Scalextric circuit

No they're not, it's the ones on my Waddingtons 'Formula 1' board game !! They're brilliant !! If a car spins off, usually the red one, never the black one, then it's put directly next to the side of the track in a preallocated area ready to rejoin when safe.

[Woolley]

Completely impossible to prove. There are good and bad marshals everywhere. British on the whole have the advantage of plenty of experience as against someone who's only opportunity is a single GP once a year, but an experienced lousy marshal is still a lousy marshal and an inexperienced good marshal is still a good marshal to whom the opportunity of more experience would be a benefit.

I'm only worried about organisers (F1?) who think it's OK to throw in a lot of marshals without experience and think they're quite capable of doing a brilliant job in complete safety.

[SouthportFC Fan]

Maybe it's the use of 'supervised' inexperienced marshals at some of the new venues that's one of the sources of the issue being discussed about marshalling standards.

When we see training shoes being worn instead of safety boots, sleeves rolled up, etc., at a 'new venue' GP, is it any wonder that standards generally are slipping ?

Still think Waddington's marshals are the best though !!!

[White flag man]

Originally Posted by Woolley

I'm only worried about organisers (F1?) who think it's OK to throw in a lot of marshals without experience and think they're quite capable of doing a brilliant job in complete safety.

After watching Rush, yesterday, and The Killing Years recently, I still think it's sad that the FIA gives little regard to the health and safety of both drivers and marshals, if there is a serious accident.

[numbersix]

Originally Posted by Woolley

Completely impossible to prove. There are good and bad marshals everywhere. British on the whole have the advantage of plenty of experience as against someone who's only opportunity is a single GP once a year, but an experienced lousy marshal is still a lousy marshal and an inexperienced good marshal is still a good marshal to whom the opportunity of more experience would be a benefit.

I'm only worried about organisers (F1?) who think it's OK to throw in a lot of marshals without experience and think they're quite capable of doing a brilliant job in complete safety.

+1. So true.

[Steve Milward]

Originally Posted by White flag man

I have also marshalled with British marshals that were a danger to themselves and their colleagues, being more interested in how their teddy bears are feeling, and been given equipment to work with that was laughable but, I tried my best.

As soon as I can find any reason to ban the presence of cuddy f****n toys from a post the better. It's getting stupid and to such a degree that some even have wet weather clothes and change the bear during bad weather.

Having a teddy bear in your bag is one thing but actually thinking it's watching the race and performing some sort of duty then do me a favour......go home, your a danger to yourself never mind your soft toy

[M Greenslade]

Originally Posted by Steve Milward

As soon as I can find any reason to ban the presence of cuddy f****n toys from a post the better. It's getting stupid and to such a degree that some even have wet weather clothes and change the bear during bad weather.

Having a teddy bear in your bag is one thing but actually thinking it's watching the race and performing some sort of duty then do me a favour......go home, your a danger to yourself never mind your soft toy

I know I have seen it - unbelievable.............

Bladders........

[Greem]

Way to go, guys. So over two or three threads we now have anyone with a sense of humour is dangerous, anyone who's been marshalling less than 50 years is rubbish and over graded, and anyone who might have an off day from time to time should be shoved into the grandstands...

Be careful what you wish for.

[Steve Milward]

Originally Posted by Greem

Way to go, guys. So over two or three threads we now have anyone with a sense of humour is dangerous, anyone who's been marshalling less than 50 years is rubbish and over graded, and anyone who might have an off day from time to time should be shoved into the grandstands...

Be careful what you wish for.

I'm failing to see the humuor element of talking to a soft toy or dressing one up to resemble a fluffier version of the real thing. AWS have a lot to answer for.....

As for the other threads I'm trying to ignore them but someone (Yes you White Flag Man) mentioned my pet hate......

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by Greem

anyone who's been marshalling less than 50 years is rubbish and over graded

Definitely didn't say that, I just said that working with experienced marshals should improve the learning process so that trial and experimentation over the best way of handling something on a live track can be eliminated. Someone with experience is likely to have seen something similar before and can handle the situation and someone newer who hasn't will have learned ready for the next time they come across it.

Experience and ability are not the same thing. If you have the latter then the former is very valuable. Of course, it's also possible to have 50 years experience and still be rubbish, and very probably be over-graded because somewhere along the line you can have lucked into a vital signature!

[White flag man]

Originally Posted by Steve Milward

I'm failing to see the humuor element of talking to a soft toy or dressing one up to resemble a fluffier version of the real thing. AWS have a lot to answer for.....

As for the other threads I'm trying to ignore them but someone (Yes you White Flag Man) mentioned my pet hate......

Sorry mate, but even BARC are working against us, by producing their own.
Maybe we should find out how good they are at dressing oil or putting out fires. That should bring their marshalling days to an abrupt end!
I have nothing against people owning them, just leave the things at home. You'll be bringing goldfish in a bowl next, after all, they are orange!

[Shelagh]

See my post on the other thread. Should these be combined?

[numbersix]

Originally Posted by White flag man

...Maybe we should find out how good they are at dressing oil ...

Well, they are very absorbent but you do have to bend down to wipe the track with them which I'm not too good at - so I still prefer the old shovel.

When they've got a bit soggy you can use them for dip-stick cleaners.

[m1fcf]

Originally Posted by numbersix

Well, they are very absorbent but you do have to bend down to wipe the track with them which I'm not too good at - so I still prefer the old shovel.

maybe thats why the Brands Brooms have short or no bristles - you stick the pointy end into a cuddly toy and use that?

[numbersix]

Originally Posted by m1fcf

maybe thats why the Brands Brooms have short or no bristles - you stick the pointy end into a cuddly toy and use that?

Indeed so. Particularly for Paddock Hill Bend because, on your return to post, you can kick the little bleeder through the gravel and so clean off some of the oil. Self-cleaning. Those clever Chinese think of everything.

[Johansen2000]

I am starting to think this thread should be renamed to 'do teddy bears make good marshals'

Interesting (but not surprising) that most have said it doesn't matter who's the best considering the likes of the msa and certain commentators make a big deal out of it...