Australian Grand Prix 2011 volunteering

[PVDA]

Got an e-mail yesterday from CAMS informing me, and the rest of the marshals team, that registrations for next years AGP is being delayed until the 8th of October (next Friday).

It also suggested we keep an eye out for anyone who didn't get the e-mail and get them to contact CAMS via the usual method to confirm thier details.

So if you haven't heard anything as yet pipe up now....

[PVDA]

Those of you on the e-mail & snail mail lists should have your application notifications by now, if not it might be worth chasing up.

[PVDA]

If you've applied on line you should've received a confirmation e-mail by now.

If you haven't it might pay to call CAMS to check before the Chritmas break starts.

[Oreti kid]

Nothing arrived as yet, so will get in touch with Dande Rd office

[oz_watcher]

Likewisey

[PVDA]

Latest Newsletter arrived in my InBox this arvo so if you still haven't seen anything it might pay to give them a call before it gets too close to the end of the week/year.

At least they've replaced the "Official at work" photo from the last few editions...........

If anyone from CAMS happens to read this is it possible for when we submit an on line form that a default e-mail is sent to the e-mail address we give on the form with the details we've submitted so we get an immediate confirmation that the system got the form??

It seems silly to submit a form only to have to wait months for some form of confirmation that you actually got it. I submitted an on line form for this years event and wasn't on the "list" until I chased it up 3 weeks before the event after realising I hadn't seen any newsletters.

[Michael Daniel]

so you got the newsletter, and I got the below email..... after doing every AGP in Melbourne except the first (as a Speccy)....

To say I'm angry at the moment is an understatement. I don't have the time anymore to do other events during the year, and have never held any pretences about wanting to do a 'higher' position at the GP, but this is just a slap in the face.

I know the Speccy position is hardly the most important person in the sector, but surely the whole point of them is to allow the other marshalls to concentrate on the track. In my experience, the hired security guys are barely worth the tabards they're wearing....

Originally Posted by CAMS

Dear AGP Volunteer,
2011 FORMULA 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix
Thank you for offering your services for the 2011 Australian Grand Prix.
In the period following the opening of applications to volunteer as a Race Marshal at the
event, we have had some changes made to the organisational arrangements for the event, and
the Spectator Team will no longer be required to function at the circuit. This means we have
lost one of the activities where we could absorb and train inexperienced officials without
jeopardising their safety. Only a few previous officials from the Spectator Team will be
able to be absorbed into other teams and we will be unable to incorporate the remainder this
year.
If you have a CAMS Official's licence and trackside qualifications and wish to be
included in another appropriate team, could you please let us know by return email and we
will see what can be done, because we value your contributions in the past. If you can also
let us know just how many years you have worked at the AGP in the Spectator Team, that will
assist us. We will not review applications for other teams until mid-January 2011 to allow
time for you to receive and consider this email.
If you do not have motorsport experience, can we suggest that you contact CAMS in your
state, or one of your local race tracks, so that you can work during the year and gain the
necessary experience. The CAMS website (www.cams.com.au<http://www.cams.com.au>)
will also give you guidance in this direction
Thank you again, and we are sorry for any inconvenience that this change may cause you.
Yours sincerely,

[cid:image001.jpg@01CBA0FA.6B465270]



Michael Smith

Secretary of the meeting

[Woolley]

Is this the fallout from the CAMS/AGP spat in order for CAMS to reduce it's fee?

[Michael Daniel]

That would seem to be the case.
I'm yet to work out how paying people to do a volunteers job is a cheaper option for the AGPC....

[Oreti kid]

Originally Posted by Michael Daniel

That would seem to be the case.
I'm yet to work out how paying people to do a volunteers job is a cheaper option for the AGPC....

Absolutely agree Michael, the speccy Marshal is 100% just as important in all the teams i have working as any other Flag, Track, Comms, Fire, Medical etc everyone in the team depends on the others. having seen paid security at other events i agree with you and as a lot of them are not Msport nuts they don't relly have the right focus.
I for one will be sorry to have you guys absent. Cheers

[oz_watcher]

Maybe after MotoGP this year AGPC is getting a big discount for security guards.....again they'll need to hope they return for Day 2 if Day 1 weather is not so pleasant

[Oreti kid]

Originally Posted by oz_watcher

Maybe after MotoGP this year AGPC is getting a big discount for security guards.....again they'll need to hope they return for Day 2 if Day 1 weather is not so pleasant

yep and don't envy the Sector Marshals job keeping them on the job!!!!!

Good luck to all Seniors

[MPA]

The paid security at the event do not come under the command of the sector marshals and I doubt any expanded paid team of security will either.

The speccy marshals that turn up do a good job and if that's all they want to do in motorsport, I'm ok with that.

Perhaps its all got something to do with the marshals that dont turn up at all.

Hey, apply online to get 3x4 day GA passes to the meeting, 3 free tickets to see The Who, KISS, and a couple to tix to the after event party that you never worked at.

Sounds too good to be true. Hey you even get a free hat!

[fomoco]

Originally Posted by MPA

The paid security at the event do not come under the command of the sector marshals and I doubt any expanded paid team of security will either.

The speccy marshals that turn up do a good job and if that's all they want to do in motorsport, I'm ok with that.

Perhaps its all got something to do with the marshals that dont turn up at all.

Having attended a GP in Melb, and numerous other events, the Spec's were of great assitance at times, yes, even when some Marshall,s didn't turn up. A bit of "on the job training" and some spec's came acroos and helped with trakies, and some flagging on the minor events. I am glad to say at the former Indy , quite a few Spec's came back as Flaggies, trackies and coms , as they left the International events and became trackside Marshalls. These guys/girls were a great feeder into the regular marshalls, and I ran in too quite a few in Qld that started as Spec's and are now fully entrenched Marshalls.

Another recruitment area lost to the ******** like the AGPC, who's only role in life is quaff alchol at the Crown Casino. The have no idea what is required at track side.

As for "RENT A COP'S" I have had my fill of these over the years, and yes as Marshalls, Point Chiefs and Sectors, we have no control on them, and thier knowledge of Motorsport wouldn't fill the eye of a neddle.

I think I shall stay home and watch it.

[PVDA]

Another article from 10/10ths regular In Pit Lane

IS THE CAMS, AGP DEAL UNDER THREAT ?
Sun, Dec 26, 2010

Is the recently signed agreement between CAMS and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation regarding the running of the 2011 Australian Grand Prix already under threat?

Sources close to the Australian Grand Prix Corporation have told In Pit Lane that the AGP Corporation are furious with CAMS over their recent media releases and statements about the deal, which they say was a clear breach of a confidentiality clause in the agreement.

According to the source, a letter has been sent to CAMS informing them of the alleged breach and the Corporation’s anger.

The Corporation has also allegedly sought advice from Australia’s Competition watchdog the ACCC regarding their concern that CAMS role as the sole FIA approved Motorsport body in Australia may be in breach of Australia’s anti monopoly laws.

Clive Banfield, Media & Communications Co-Ordinator for CAMS told In Pit Lane that he had been in recent meetings with the AGPC and was not aware of any such problems.

He said he would look into the matter and get back to us but as of today (Friday Dec. 24 4.30 P.M) no one from CAMS had responded.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation office was contacted for comment but they are already on a Xmas break and there was no answer.

Meanwhile CAMS volunteer officials have raised their concerns regarding cutbacks to their numbers at the race.

A letter from CAMS to former Spectator Marshals has informed them that the position is no longer available.

“In the period following the opening of applications to volunteer as a Race Marshal at the event, we have had some changes made to the organisational arrangements for the event, and the Spectator Team will no longer be required to function at the circuit.

This means we have lost one of the activities where we could absorb and train inexperienced officials without
jeopardising their safety.

Only a few previous officials from the Spectator Team will be able to be absorbed into other teams and we will be unable to incorporate the remainder this year.”
it said.

Regular marshals have flooded websites with complaints, with several pointing out that they can’t understand why a cutback in the numbers of unpaid volunteers should have any effect on the cost of running the race.

Writing on the popular motorsport forum Ten-Tenths, long time spectator marshal Michael Daniel claimed that the sacking of the “Speccys” was a retrograde step.

“I know the Speccy position is hardly the most important person in the sector, but surely the whole point of them is to allow the other marshals to concentrate on the track.” he wrote. “In my experience, the hired security guys are barely worth the tabards they’re wearing….”

It is believed that CAMS & Grand Prix Corporation officials felt that the position was not necessary as the track already hired a private security force to control spectator behaviour.

Several experienced marshals have told In Pit Lane that there had been conflict in the past between marshals and the security guards, most of whom have little knowledge of, or interest in motorsport.

It’s understood that despite the spin by CAMS regarding the new deal with the AGPC that the Confederation’s fee to run the event has been dramatically slashed.

[Michael Daniel]

Originally Posted by fomoco

I think I shall stay home and watch it.

Unfortunately at this stage it looks like I'll be doing the same.

[Michael Daniel]

just got an email from CAMS asking if I wanted to be a tracky this year, so looks like I'll be there, which I'm very pleased about.

[Oreti kid]

well done Michael enjoy, i recieved a email today also saying that they have changed there mind and i am no longer required as a flag marshal after getting a confirmation prior to christmas. strange for a silver grade flaggy with 30yrs, so i will be a spectator i guess.

[Michael Daniel]

that's VERY strange - wonder why they've done that? I could see why they'd done it to Speccy's (even if I don't agree with it), but doing it to experienced flaggies is just odd.

[PVDA]

Don't forget Oreti kid is NZ based so they might be freeing up a spot for a local to fill??

[Oreti kid]

Originally Posted by PVDA

Don't forget Oreti kid is NZ based so they might be freeing up a spot for a local to fill??

what is annoying is that i recieved confirmation prior to xmas so started making plans and then get the DCTFSS, maybe they should have sorted it out before sending out the Team 25 confirmations on the 21/12.

[bludvl_x19]

Final email came out today, its only two weeks until kick off

[PVDA]

I'm flagging at 5.8R this year.

[Oreti kid]

Originally Posted by PVDA

I'm flagging at 5.8R this year.

hopefully will call in and say hi Nakkers.

[bludvl_x19]

I'm at 1.0L as a rag and stick merchant.