Marshalling the Texas GP, tips and advice.

Apple · 20 Jul 2015, 08:07 (Ref:3559665)

I am thinking of applying to marshal at the Texas GP, if time and money will allow, I've applied for the marshalling abroad letter from the MSA.
Anyone got any contacts, tips, advice, what accommodation did you get, and have you done it, what was your experience like did you enjoy it.
Thanks.
Mick

Mark Mitchell · 20 Jul 2015, 10:09 (Ref:3559691)

Done it the last two years.
It's very good but always short of marshals.
They accept volunteers with little and no experience right up until the day before the event!
Support races - one , maybe two!
Hotel is subsidised with transport provided to/from track.
PM for more details if you wish

icorper · 20 Jul 2015, 10:41 (Ref:3559694)

Still on my bucket list, maybe next year

Fubar Andy · 20 Jul 2015, 11:41 (Ref:3559707)

This is interesting as I'm looking at attending this next year.

Are there many marshals from the UK that attend the Texas event?

deadsquirrel · 20 Jul 2015, 11:45 (Ref:3559708)

Looks like all the information is on hand, Apple.

However, I have some questions for you! What led you to select Texas F1? If it's a love of F1 and a desire to marshal in US, have a great time, good choice!

If you just want to marshal in North America, there are unique tracks and series that you should consider. They'll have much more racing over a weekend, have a good level of experienced marshals in each team and you'll see more of the American way of going racing. Indycar, Pirelli World Challenge, Tudor Sports Cars, NASCAR (you can see the Trucks and Busch cars on courses such as CTMP near Toronto, or Mid Ohio. There's iconic tracks all over the country, so you'll have to be picky!

It's normally possible to take in races that are back to back weekends, so you maximise track time

Apple · 20 Jul 2015, 11:55 (Ref:3559714)

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadsquirrel

Looks like all the information is on hand, Apple.

However, I have some questions for you! What led you to select Texas F1? If it's a love of F1 and a desire to marshal in US, have a great time, good choice!

If you just want to marshal in North America, there are unique tracks and series that you should consider. They'll have much more racing over a weekend, have a good level of experienced marshals in each team and you'll see more of the American way of going racing. Indycar, Pirelli World Challenge, Tudor Sports Cars, NASCAR (you can see the Trucks and Busch cars on courses such as CTMP near Toronto, or Mid Ohio. There's iconic tracks all over the country, so you'll have to be picky!

It's normally possible to take in races that are back to back weekends, so you maximise track time

Hello well just that sprang to mind as I could probably get that time off work, I only have a week off left out of this years quota.
I went to Las Vegas NASCAR this year as a specy, I would be more interested in doing a proper race track rather than NASCAR, I may try and sort something for next year, as you say maybe two weekends.

Apple · 20 Jul 2015, 11:58 (Ref:3559715)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

Done it the last two years.
It's very good but always short of marshals.
They accept volunteers with little and no experience right up until the day before the event!
Support races - one , maybe two!
Hotel is subsidised with transport provided to/from track.
PM for more details if you wish

Thanks Mark

bmw88rider · 1 Aug 2015, 21:30 (Ref:3563111)

It's a good time. I've worked it the last 2 years as COTA is my home track. I live in Austin. If you have any questions just let me know, I'd be more than happy to answer them. Overall, the Texas flagging community is pretty small and we always need more people especially for the big events.

I know it's probably really short notice to get over from Britain but the Lone Star LeMans weekend is a real blast. Over 9 hours of racing on Saturday with WEC and the Tudor series taking the main billing.

Nascar is much harder to work as there are training requirements that are mandatory and it's not run by the same organization as the road racing series but there are a lot of great events like the Tudor series, MotoGP if you like bikes, The Amateur series like SCCA and NASA.

Apple · 2 Aug 2015, 05:39 (Ref:3563175)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw88rider

It's a good time. I've worked it the last 2 years as COTA is my home track. I live in Austin. If you have any questions just let me know, I'd be more than happy to answer them. Overall, the Texas flagging community is pretty small and we always need more people especially for the big events.

I know it's probably really short notice to get over from Britain but the Lone Star LeMans weekend is a real blast. Over 9 hours of racing on Saturday with WEC and the Tudor series taking the main billing.

Nascar is much harder to work as there are training requirements that are mandatory and it's not run by the same organization as the road racing series but there are a lot of great events like the Tudor series, MotoGP if you like bikes, The Amateur series like SCCA and NASA.

Thanks for that

Coach Ep · 11 Aug 2015, 15:07 (Ref:3565340)

On the sportscar subforum rumors are flying around CotA is in financial trouble and racing activities might be seized after the 2016 season. I've had no info whatsoever confirming (or denying for that matter) these rumors but the track has generated a few headlines before when it came to 'financial matters'.

So if you have strong interest in marshaling the US GP (or other events at CotA) it might be a good idea not to postpone your plans too long.

Apple · 11 Aug 2015, 18:33 (Ref:3565376)

Thanks for the heads up, I am going this year.

TrueBlueFlyer · 11 Aug 2015, 19:41 (Ref:3565393)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

On the sportscar subforum rumors are flying around CotA is in financial trouble and racing activities might be seized after the 2016 season...

wouldn't worry about it too much, there's always NASCAR / ISC to the rescue

bmw88rider · 15 Aug 2015, 01:23 (Ref:3566124)

I wouldn't worry about the track getting seized/closed any time soon. There have already been offers to buy it floating out there.

If you are interested, here is the link to apply http://msreg.com/F1USGP15-new

Apple · 22 Aug 2015, 11:37 (Ref:3567662)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

Done it the last two years.
It's very good but always short of marshals.
They accept volunteers with little and no experience right up until the day before the event!
Support races - one , maybe two!
Hotel is subsidised with transport provided to/from track.
PM for more details if you wish

Thanks for the help and info Mark, its all booked up, so I'm going this year.

Mark Mitchell · 24 Aug 2015, 19:24 (Ref:3568367)

Nice one, I'm sure you'll enjoy - even if it's only for the Elton John concert!
They're very short of manpower at the moment so you'll be very welcome.

**Woolley** · 25 Aug 2015, 20:17 (Ref:3568690)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

Nice one, I'm sure you'll enjoy - even if it's only for the Elton John concert!
They're very short of manpower at the moment so you'll be very welcome.

Elton John's short of manpower?

*insert your own joke*

Apple · 26 Aug 2015, 06:22 (Ref:3568823)

Sorry but I'm not a fan of Elton John

Mark Mitchell · 26 Aug 2015, 08:46 (Ref:3568853)

That could be a problem! She's your post chief!

Coach Ep · 21 Sep 2015, 17:12 (Ref:3575807)

From Flag chief Bill Armitage on facebook:

Quote:

am still in need of good, quality flag marshals for the upcoming Formula One United States Grand Prix October 23-25 at COTA. We are getting really close to matching last years numbers but would like to improve upon it. We are working hard to make improvements from last years event. If you can come help us I go to http://msreg.com/F1USGP15-new and apply today. Feel free to share with someone that may be interested.

Apparently the experience requirements are well below what is usual for the BGP.

Dave Brand · 21 Sep 2015, 19:11 (Ref:3575850)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

From Flag chief Bill Armitage on facebook:

Apparently the experience requirements are well below what is usual for the BGP.

Hmm . . . we'll be in the US that weekend . . .

. . . watching NASCAR at Talledega!

deadsquirrel · 21 Sep 2015, 21:26 (Ref:3575871)

Can't make this,bu with Bill and Sydney as chiefs, you'll be well looked after and your corner will be fought. Not sure Bill can cook enough burgers for you,, like he did for us at Mid Ohio. And probably no Jambalya that Sydney laid on in New Orleans

Sign up if you can!

RNHodge · 22 Sep 2015, 22:03 (Ref:3576202)

Time booked off work - now planning flights!

Other than the MSA marshalling abroad letter, any paperwork required?

Greem · 22 Sep 2015, 22:09 (Ref:3576204)

Dang! I just used up this year's remaining discretionary days on a 2 day meeting at Rockingham (Northants, not NC). Oh well!

RNHodge · 22 Sep 2015, 22:17 (Ref:3576206)

Quote:

Originally Posted by RNHodge

Time booked off work - now planning flights!

Other than the MSA marshalling abroad letter, any paperwork required?

Just been in touch with them. They are only looking for Flag marshals. All other "trades" are full!

Sad face!

Apple · 23 Sep 2015, 06:19 (Ref:3576249)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greem

Dang! I just used up this year's remaining discretionary days on a 2 day meeting at Rockingham (Northants, not NC). Oh well!

Rockingham or Texas???? hmmm

difficult one that

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