|
After reading for several years I have finally registered and this is my first comment, only 5 years after the thread was first posted.
I was fortunate to marshal at the GP in Monaco from 1979 to 2000 (from 1981 at the harbour-side chicane Post 13 or 14) and have continued to return to the F1 GP or the GP Historique as a spectator since then.
At sign-on marshals were issued with overalls, gloves, belt, cap, velcro backed Post number and role (intervention, fire, flag, post chief etc) badges and shoulder epaulettes. The cap, badge and epaulettes were specific to your role, green for intervention, red for fire, yellow for flag and blue for chiefs. Marshals who had distinguished themselves would receive epaulettes with additional pips (I finally achieved this in my final year!) The issue was strictly controlled by the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) and all equipment except for the cap was returned at the end of the weekend. The ACM had persuaded the FIA that with this control there was no requirement for the tabards worn at all other GPs. Overalls were therefore returned but I seemed to receive the same pair, freshly laundered, each year until they needed replacement.
I do not believe the overalls were fire retardant but they were considered more a uniform than for protection. Also there were regular Monaco firemen (many returning to the same Post each year) who were extremely proficient when called into action in my area.
The numbered helmets were introduced to give better head protection (particularly when marshals were handling cars being picked up by crane) in 2003 to replace the caps as the ACM had seen them used at the GP in Japan in 2002. It also gave a convenient method of individual identification.
Appearance was always important such that there was a plan of how to wear the overalls with location of the badges etc. in your instructions. Long hair and pony tails were not allowed (no chance for the race gypsy) and there were also age limitations - maximum age for new recruits was 35 and at 50 I received the silver bullet and retired. Fitness was also assessed with press-ups and pulse recovery rate....
Before my last race (and whenever a marshal retired) we had a Post celebration with champagne (cooled in the Croix Rouge ice box or in the fridge on a nearby yacht in the harbour) and canapes. Happy memories when you are standing in the cold, wind and snow as we were at Silverstone on Saturday!
JonT
|