Marshal Prezzies

[blueflagger]

We now enter that wonderful time of year when all marshalling gadgets are potential future possessions if family members obligingly fill your wish list. So... please answer the following two questions:

For the benefit of everyone else's potential wish list, what is the favorite piece of marshalling gear that you already own?

What is the next "must-have" item on your list?

Be sure to print your reply and post it in an obvious spot at home.

[racerkeke]

Okay, Blueflagger, here's my list (as sent to my family last month):
1. New folding cooler -- it goes flat for packing in the suitcase before I get on a plane, but keeps my drinks and lunch cool ... well, everywhere except Vegas.

2. A new pair of Mechanix gloves. Somehow I lost one this year, which is a puzzle since I hardly ever work response. But they make a size just perfect for my small hands.

3. Airline points so I can go to more races.

4. Those ear protectors with the built-in FM radio -- perfect for Le Mans!

That said, I'm very lucky, since my family has been in racing for eons, and they're pretty good at giving me things. Some of the best presents I ever received were: a big canister of cable ties; various colours of duct tape; one of those bandannas with the beads in them that keep your neck cool; and after-sun lotion!

Guess I'm easily amused.

keke

[The STIG]

Originally Posted by blueflagger

What is the next "must-have" item on your list?

Waterproof Trousers!

[deadsquirrel]

Originally Posted by racerkeke

one of those bandannas with the beads in them that keep your neck cool

Those things are great - had one a few years ago, but the dog got it! Never seen them available since.

[Rob M]

A good warm waterproof coat - essential for the 04 December meeting at Anglesey.

Rob

[Rich D]

Frogg Toggs. Wonderful, breathable raingear that WORKS! And you can get them in white or orange, depending on your colonial status!

Oh ya -- and my bucket - can't live without my bucket!

[whatapalaver]

My youngest is getting membership of the BMMC and orange rompers!

[Stoowert]

Please Father Cwishmush, Can I have a noo scanner, pleez! (Right, now to save time, assume another 50 words on the stupid phone system Vs radios/Land Line!) Oh yeth, and a noo left arm pleez! That may be too twicky!

[Rob M]

Originally Posted by Rich D

Frogg Toggs. Wonderful, breathable raingear that WORKS! And you can get them in white or orange, depending on your colonial status!

Oh ya -- and my bucket - can't live without my bucket!

I've got to ask - what's the bucket for?

Rob

[racerkeke]

A bucket's a great alternative to a corner bag, Rob. Get one of those 5 gallon ones with a lid, and not only can you use it as a chair between sessions, but all your stuff stays dry. There are inserts you can buy to make layers so you don't have to dig to the bottom every time you open it, and I've even seen soft waterproof canvas flap pockets with zippers that hang around the outside for stuff you need often. But many of us prefer to just cover the bucket with racing stickers for that insouciant world-traveller look. :-)

Very popular with marshals up here in the Great Green North, where it rains, ummm, every once in awhile... about like it does in England.

Okay, Rich, where do I get Frogg Toggs??? I need a new pair of rain pants to match the white Goretex jacket I bought this year.

keke

[Rich D]

Originally Posted by Rob M

I've got to ask - what's the bucket for?

Rob

Ahhh, seems to be a North American phenomenon.... Big bucket with sealable lid -- mine came from a DIY wine store. About 2 foot tall..

Use as a kit bag (100% waterproof, crush proof), chair, table, cooler, step (to get over high walls), somewhere to put all your racing stickers.. etc etc etc.

Also causes great amusement to Quebec marshals for some reason....


Me, Montreal GP2005, bucket (Barb's, not mine) currently serving as a picnic table

[b1ackcr0w]

Fisher Space Pen - Pen that writes on virtually any surface in any conditions - even underwater. (Doesn't the paper get all soggy? Well the same people sent a man to the moon, but didn't know what to do when they got there, so don't expect too much)

Leatherman Tool - Mmm, adaptable multitool...mmmmmm.

AutoRoute 2006 - Which I can load into my laptop, hook up to the GPS and hopefully stop accidentally driving past Prescott every time I go (oops, I'd managed to keep that one quiet until now).

[Mark Mitchell]

Like the bucket BUT.........I want one of those BIG red arrows please!!!!

[Rich D]

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

Like the bucket BUT.........I want one of those BIG red arrows please!!!!

they do give us big Black arrows at Montreal.....

[Stoowert]

I keep getting told to "Get a Bucket" every time I marshal west of the Great Divide! Be it Long Beach, Portland or Vancouver! When I first saw them I thought "They can't ALL be doing DIY after the races, can they?" No, they are very useful - unless you go racing on a bike! Nowhere to carry the thing! I got one of those red arrows, but the RAF made me put it back!

[Hepatic]

the buckets look awfully like our containers for the "cement" dust we use to treat oil spillages. I use a fishing box, equally great at keeping stuff dry and using as a seat. Um, present wise some waterproof gloves wouldn't go amiss...

[blueflagger]

Frogg Toggs rock! They are at the top of my Christmas List. PM me and I can give you a contact for a good price on the white ones.

Buckets are great too but can't go in the overhead bin when flying to Long Beach so I use a backpack and take my lunch breaks sitting on the barrier or bring a folding chair.

The best tool in my marshal kit is an old bum bag that I got as a freebie many years ago. It's scruffy now but holds my rope, Leatherman, and whatever else I might need for playing the "far safety" position. It can also hold sunscreen and water bottle for the time being, but the fabric is going to split soon. So I guess that's the second thing on my wish list.

Stoowert - does the left arm need to function? I know where I can get some manniquin parts.

[Ian Briggs]

Shamag, AKA desert scarf, AKA that thing that makes you look like Arafat, offers different degrees of wamth to the noggin depending on method of deployment, with non of the itching a bobble hat causes. Can be wrapped around the mouth and nose for doing dusty rallies or riding quads across the desert with the added bonus of scaring drivers when you emerge out of the gloom, or cause them to spin when flagging at knickerbrook. When raining, wrapped around neck to prevent the rain dripping down your neck. Secondary uses have included table cloth, towel (gotta know where your towel is) and start flag on rally stage
Cost, 3.5 Egyptian pounds, about 35p from sharm old market.
Next most usefull Marshals accsessory, certainly for rally marshals, a Range Rover

[beefy]

A decent set of waterproofs would be top of my list.

[PapaJuliet]

Originally Posted by beefy

A decent set of waterproofs would be top of my list.

Just got myself a decent set of waterproofs from a shop on the A45.

At least, I hope they are decent 'cos I've not tested them in anger yet.

PJ

[Woolley]

I need a new jacket, seem to have left mine somewhere. I mean, how can you lose a flourescent orange jacket with reflective stripes?

[BSA Susie]

Originally Posted by b1ackcr0w

Fisher Space Pen - Pen that writes on virtually any surface in any conditions - even underwater. (Doesn't the paper get all soggy? Well the same people sent a man to the moon, but didn't know what to do when they got there, so don't expect too much)

Leatherman Tool - Mmm, adaptable multitool...mmmmmm.

The Americans spent umpty thousand dollars developing a pen to work in zero gravity......the Russians used pencils!

Yep, a Leatherman is essential, loads of uses; opening public toilets, repairing flags, 'adjusting' tannoys, etc, etc.

Also Christmas is the prime oppertunity to get a silly-looking but warm hat. Who cares what you look like as long as you are warm!

[racerkeke]

Here in Canada, Lee Valley sells pads of waterproof paper that would go nicely with your Space Pen (Lee Valley is also in the States). They're normally used by forestry and surveying people so an industrial supply store may also have such a thing -- at a lower price.

keke

[roys1]

Quote... Lee Valley sells pads of waterproof paper that would go nicely with your Space Pen .
and of course when you get the waterproof paper you could then photocopy some

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally Posted by Ian Briggs

Shamag

Must get some new specs!!!
I thought you were referring to the top-shelf periodicals Ian!!!