Spectating and Marshalling

[NewYankee01]

only spectated twice BEFORE marshalling silv 2008 bsb the last time before marshalling, so i didnt bother much anyway. wouldnt dream of going to a club event to spectate now, thats what tv's for! ill only spectate on sat and marshal sun next year at wsr and the like the big events because there's always shed loads to do... i wouldnt want to go photog it as to me its only worth taking photos at club rallies for the local clubs as every tom dick and harry decends on a circuit weekend with kit that the amateur cant justify the cost of a £3500 camerax2) .

[The Fat Clerk]

Originally Posted by Piglet

We tend to to to places like LM and Spa either as media or just as spectators. We don't really watch very much we go to the events as many of our friends are there and we enjoy the overall experience. I don't really have the patience to sit in a viewing area for hours on end watching cars going around. We watch a lot of endurance motorsport on TV LMS/ALMS etc. which I suppose is spectating without getting wet or sunburnt!

I dont consider watching racing on tv etc as really spectating, I'm at work at the moment with the Belgian G.P second free practice blaring out of one of the computers on my desk. But I wouldn't call that spectating. In my book spectating is getting up at silly o'clock, driving hundreds of miles, paying a fortune to sit and watch cars through binoculars because they are so far away.

[TwoSheds]

In my 20+ years of marshalling I've only spectated twice and both times it was with a hospitality package paid for by someone else!

[aland]

only at stock car racing on the knockhill tri-oval and cowdenbeath, doesnt feel right being on the other side of the fence in civvy clothes

[Dan Friel]

There's plenty of events that I spectate at. Taking the boys along has also helped to change my view (probably wouldn't go by myself). It's great to go to a sprint or hillclimb and have a decent look around the paddock, but I wouldn't marshal it.

Also been to Le Mans several times, but don't have any real desire to marshal.

[Matt Hunter]

Haven't spectated at all this year. It's been really strange not having about 200 photos to go through. I will be for the first time this season at ILMC on the Sunday, but marshalling rest of that weekend.
I agree it'll certainly be strange being able to move about for a change. Plus it'll give me a chance to FINALLY have a nose at the Wing

[PVDA]

Originally Posted by Woolley

Completely lost the ability to spectate.

I'm not quite that bad but I find it hard being at an event and seeing things go wrong or being done badly and not having the ability to do something about it.

Mind you I've attended one or two things and ended up working at them because someone spotted me and has decided I needed to help out.

I hardly ever go to events I'm not working at these days as sometimes one needs to have a quiet weekend at home, mainly to get ready for the next event of course

[Sticker Rub]

Apart from the complimentary tickets to the Rockingham Stages for regular Rockingham marshals, in 6 years of marshalling I've spectated twice & both times it just felt wrong!

[Steven Humphrey]

I always spend a day spectating at the Silverstone Classic. My wife, kids and parents/in laws love it plus it gives me a chance to have a good look around. I've also watched the LMS at Silverstone, a couple of Fridays at the GP (before I could marshal it) and been to help out friends racing. Nothing beats being on the bank though!!

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by Steven Humphrey

Nothing beats being on the bank though!!

Well I'd argue that being in the driving seat does.....

But when I can't do that, I've done some marshalling, some spectating - mainly because as self-employed I have to work when something needs doing, and can't easily commit well in advance to being available to marshal - so if I find myself available will drop in on a meeting I'm interested in to spectate....I suppose you can offer to marshal at short notice, but it does require a bit of faffing about, and I guess its easier to spectate, and I do like to be able to move around and spend time in the paddock - particularly when I know the competitors.....

Unfortunately a lot of the time I don't get to either drive, marshal or spectate....

[Red_08]

I spectated for the first time since I became a Marshal, yesterday.

I went along to the Gold Cup at Oulton (took the other half and little lad to show them around my "other" home ).

I really enjoyed it to be honest and got to see the rally boys and girls strutting their stuff, which I've not been able to do in the past due to being on a post somewhere else. I would do it again, it proved to them how passionate I am about my hobby, because I didn't shut up about various things all day

But, I still prefer to be out there, trackside, even in the foul weather we had all weekend.

Elliot.

[pauln]

I've done the spectating thing a few times since I started and it does feel a little odd.

I'm planning on taking a day off the bank at the Classic next year, so that I can have a look round the paddock and may do the same at one or two other events.

[White flag man]

Originally Posted by dave vass

You're nearly right! I get the best view in the house; from the commentary box!!

Beg to differ Dave, you're far to far away from the track!