Donington Superstars-dinner break, what dinner break

[M Greenslade]

Originally Posted by Greem

You may or may not be aware that in current UK employment law, if a person works more than 6 hours a day then all they are entitled to is a single 20 minute break.

Yep, just 1. And only 20 minutes.

But at least they are getting paid for it......

Just vote with your feet

Bladders..................

[Greem]

Originally Posted by M Greenslade

Just vote with your feet

I shall; both will be with me at this event. They may want to leave of their own accord by Sunday afternoon but that's more a reflection of the state of my boots than the timetable!

[Slipstick]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

Donington DOES have a curfew.

But a rather late one (20.00 ?) judging from the timetable for the BRSCC Finals meeting which contains a couple of night races.

I'm tempted to volunteer for that one but only if they'll let me try flagging in the dark. Falling over into gravel in the dark I've done but there's always something new to learn .

Steve

[roys1]

Originally Posted by Slipstick

But a rather late one (20.00 ?) judging from the timetable for the BRSCC Finals meeting which contains a couple of night races
Steve

Even I haven't seen a timetable for that one... where is it

[thepits!]

Ever thought of marshalling as Pits/Startline? What lunch-break? By the time the last car is in from the circuit we have lost a bundle of time, and then we have to be on the grid ages before the pit-lane opens or assembly releases the cars to the grid, so sometimes there is barely time for a quick bite of the sarnie

I agree a [probable] break should be planned in, and clubs should recognise this, but races = money. Ever done a Motors TV Live? Now that's pressure .

All meetings have to be planned with at least 10 minutes between races for clean up time, so if there are no problems then we make up the time.

Over the years I have marshalled, in many capacities, for many clubs....

Some are better than others

[Slipstick]

Originally Posted by roys1

Even I haven't seen a timetable for that one... where is it

Oops - I was looking at one from last year Probably a bit late to volunteer for that then .

Steve

[roys1]

Originally Posted by Slipstick

Oops - I was looking at one from last year Probably a bit late to volunteer for that then .

Steve

Ah.. OK... but I believe there will be similar this year on 19/20 October...

[Steve Tarrant]

Originally Posted by roys1

Even I haven't seen a timetable for that one... where is it

Here - http://www.brscc.co.uk/assets/timeta...---issue-1.pdf

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by deley

As I have posted before - If you have a personal issue with a particular club/circuit/meeting then a quiet word with the right person is usually so much better than a public rant......... and avoids people being hit by toys coming out of the pram

I've tried that in the past, didn't make a difference.

Originally Posted by Greem

One final thing: if you really do strongly object and decide not to attend, don't just make it known by venting spleen here. Write to the BRSCC head office about it, or to the local branch of your own club (be it BMMC, BARC or something else), to pass on to the organisers. You can only change things if you make your feelings known formally.

Tried that as well (BARC in that case). Didn't work either.

Part of the problem with both approaches is you're on your own. Saying it on here means you realise others feel the same, and someone might start to take notice. I also find the club blames the circuit who blames the promotor who blames the club. I've never got to the bottom of who, ultimately, makes the decision.

And it's not so much that Donington necessarily runs late, so much as it plans to run later than is ideal in the first place. Every year we get told it's changed and every year there's one or two threads like this and every year I decide not to come back into this particular lottery. When I see consistent sensible timetabling I'll think about it because I do really like the circuit itself.

[M Greenslade]

Originally Posted by Woolley

I've tried that in the past, didn't make a difference.


Tried that as well (BARC in that case). Didn't work either.

Part of the problem with both approaches is you're on your own. Saying it on here means you realise others feel the same, and someone might start to take notice. I also find the club blames the circuit who blames the promotor who blames the club. I've never got to the bottom of who, ultimately, makes the decision.

And it's not so much that Donington necessarily runs late, so much as it plans to run later than is ideal in the first place. Every year we get told it's changed and every year there's one or two threads like this and every year I decide not to come back into this particular lottery. When I see consistent sensible timetabling I'll think about it because I do really like the circuit itself, it is not rocket science.....

The voice of sensibility as always.....

It seems that we are always banging our heads on the wall, Donington is a great circuit, I marshalled there for the first meeting when it re-opened, when I think Alistair Lyle won the first race and I would love to go back there, but won't until they (whoever they may be) sort this problem out once and for all.

Bladders..........

[roys1]

Originally Posted by Steve Tarrant

Here - http://www.brscc.co.uk/assets/timeta...---issue-1.pdf

we wasn't refering to this timetable at the time Steve,,

[m1fcf]

Doesn't Donington have an MSA Marshal Rep? Write to them about it.

[Terrible-Tones]

Originally Posted by thepits!

Ever thought of marshalling as Pits/Startline? What lunch-break? By the time the last car is in from the circuit we have lost a bundle of time, and then we have to be on the grid ages before the pit-lane opens or assembly releases the cars to the grid, so sometimes there is barely time for a quick bite of the sarnie

Absolutely - it is quite normal only to have a 5 or 10 min lunch break, or none at all, when doing Specialism.

[TerryD]

Originally Posted by Terrible-Tones

Absolutely - it is quite normal only to have a 5 or 10 min lunch break, or none at all, when doing Specialism.

Thats why we are all so slim in the pit lane!

[Terrible-Tones]

Originally Posted by TerryD

Thats why we are all so slim in the pit lane!

'Part from me of course......

[Steve Milward]

Do you Marshal because

A. You really like lunch breaks
B. You really like moaning when you don't get a lunch break
C. You're a Motorsport fan and you want to get close to the action and help with the running of the meeting.
D. You like to sit on you're backside for an hour everyday

Now admittedly I answered C, although D was an option for a while.

I really can't see why a designated break is a requirement when through simple communication skills anything can be accommodated. I've yet to be told I can't take a break when lunch has been denied.

I'm just miffed that Roy didn't put the Bacon roll delivery on the BRSCC volunteering form and I've missed out.

[Johansen2000]

Originally Posted by Steve Milward

Do you Marshal because

A. You really like lunch breaks
B. You really like moaning when you don't get a lunch break
C. You're a Motorsport fan and you want to get close to the action and help with the running of the meeting.
D. You like to sit on you're backside for an hour everyday

Now admittedly I answered C, although D was an option for a while.

I really can't see why a designated break is a requirement when through simple communication skills anything can be accommodated. I've yet to be told I can't take a break when lunch has been denied.

I'm just miffed that Roy didn't put the Bacon roll delivery on the BRSCC volunteering form and I've missed out.

Definitely c for marshalling but b when I am at my paid work lol!

[Shelagh]

When I was flagging, it got harder to do a good job as the day wore on. Especially if there had been no down time during the day (ie lunch break).

I also hate the scheduling of long races (1hr or more length) at the end of the last day. I know why it is done (easier to cut short if things running so far behind), but if you are at the end of day 3 standing on the bank then you are not going to be at your best concentration wise.

I don't know how the BMMC are set up to address this. Do we start a specific thread and find a rep?

[Teletubby]

Originally Posted by Woolley

I've tried that in the past, didn't make a difference.


Tried that as well (BARC in that case). Didn't work either.

We now have a specific 'Marshalling' agenda item at the BARC Council (Board) meetings so that items such as this can be raised directly with the CEO.

I get a few emailed grumbles from Marshals which are mostly down to miscommunication but I always raise them with the office and would have no worries about raising them at the meeting if necessary.

BARC has had a Marshal's Core Working Group for many years (the late Dennis Harris was instrumental in it's formation) which meets quarterly to discuss all things Marshal and how we interact with the MSA on behalf of those who volunteer for us.

[davelw]

I am new to this site, but not to being a marshal. In the pit lane you grab a break when you can.
We have to be diplomats, "traffic wardens & child removers" as and when the situation arises. I am sure we will need some extra help this weekend. You do not get much closer to the racing than we do. That is why I do it and put up with the inconveniences. I enjoy it.

[grantp]

So here I am sitting at home at 22:22 with the Zoo whatever it is disco event sounds threading their way through the window and reading these posts.

No scheduled lunch break and 2 nights of disco "heaven" for those camping at the track.

You have my sympathy for that combination.

I would hope that some sensible organisation could deal with the racing schedule breaks but I doubt that you can do much about the other event of the weekend. Well, other than some good earplugs or moving to a hotel.

[Shelagh]

We tend to stay at the Premier Inn at the airport when doing multi-days at Donington. If not too busy then we have managed a £19 night room! Our days of camping are well and truly over.

[thepits!]

Originally Posted by davelw

I am new to this site,

Welcome

Originally Posted by davelw

but not to being a marshal. In the pit lane you grab a break when you can. We have to be diplomats, "traffic wardens & child removers" as and when the situation arises. I am sure we will need some extra help this weekend. You do not get much closer to the racing than we do. That is why I do it and put up with the inconveniences. I enjoy it.

Exactly, we do it because we enjoy it.

Those that don't enjoy their hobby please go away and do your moaning elsewhere

Thank you and goodbye.............

[David Owen]

Cadwell Park = Lunch break

That is all.

[dave vass]

Originally Posted by David Owen

Cadwell Park = Lunch break

That is all.

With racing either side; it becomes a sort of lunch sandwich!