hints and tips

[ooo-arr27]

Right, I have taken the (large) step from casual spectator to Marshal this year - my first meeting will be May 28th @ Castle Combe!
The common sense stuff is covered (flask, hats etc!) but I was looking to draw upon the vast knowledge contained within this sub-forum for any helpful hints and tips that can / have helped the lowly marshal through the long, rain-soaked day!

[Justin Moran]

Take it from another new marshal, take plenty to eat and drink and a fold away chair if you have one, its darn tiring on your feet all day, apart from that just enjoy it! I did!

[staid davenport]

Warm clothes. And lots of them.

And food....lots of food.

[garybirch]

Welcome ooo-ar.
I'm a combe regular and find these things important:

- Lots of food.
- Lots of drink (hot flask and cold). Stick a bottle of water or squash in the freezer the night before if really warm
- Suncream if hot.
- Hat & Sunglasses.
- Fold up chair or fishing box which doubles as your bag and seat.
- Bin liner to put your stuff in if it rains (or the fishing box is also good for this too)
- Sturdy but comfortable shoes
- Waterproofs

And that's about it!
Hope to work with you one day.

[Jordygirl]

Unless of course it's stinking hot like Sunday at Mallory, in which case take loads of water & sun block

[Alan Green]

Originally Posted by C9/89

Take it from another new marshal

Or better still, take another new marshal

Seriously, just the common sense stuff, sense of humour, food and good gloves & boots will see you right to start with - the collection of stuff that you end up trawling round with you 'because you might need it' will come soon enough.

On the subject of gloves, a lot of 'new' marshals I've been on post with recently have bought 'Mechanix' type gloves - For basic incident handling a pair of welders gauntlets are the much preferred option.

Have fun at Combe (I will get to that circuit one day )

Al.

[CombeMarshal]

Hey Mr Arrrrrr, I got some welders gloves I use, I buy in bulk! You can have a pair, just hit me to get my attention and they are yours!

Best thing I found is a fishing Box from Argos, think It was £10
I try and use suncream even when it's not sunny, help prevent wind burn!!
bring lots of snacks and drinks!

see you there!

[garybirch]

Originally Posted by CombeMarshal

I try and use suncream even when it's not sunny, help prevent wind burn!!

Oh yea, definately. You come home with the marshals tan even if it's not been sunny!

[Robin_D]

And on Monday morning you look like a joke at work because you are the only one with a tan. With sunglasses marks.

Bugger.

Seriously, enjoy it, take care of yourself and be prepared to learn! Combe is on my 'to do' list.

Let us all know how you get on!

[Matthews Dad]

Originally Posted by ooo-arr27

Right, I have taken the (large) step from casual spectator to Marshal this year - my first meeting will be May 28th @ Castle Combe!
The common sense stuff is covered (flask, hats etc!) but I was looking to draw upon the vast knowledge contained within this sub-forum for any helpful hints and tips that can / have helped the lowly marshal through the long, rain-soaked day!

I made the switch earlier this year at Oulton like C9/89, Done 3 days so far and really enjoyed it

An important thing to take that isnt mentioned is your sense of humour and be prepared to take some good natured jesting

Once youve donned the probans you will soon feel part of the team and when youve dealt with your first big incident you will feel good ( at least I did with the GTs at OP)

Welcome aboard

[Justin Moran]

Originally Posted by Alan Green

Or better still, take another new marshal

Al.

Perfect misquote! Love it !

Thats just what the sense of humour is all about! One day I too will have the dry whit and panache to make a suitable comment like that!

Have a ball!

[Ian Briggs]

Welcome aboard Ooo, all I would add is to take more food, if you dont eat it, I bet there will be a Marshal nearby who will! I have only been to Coombe once, it looked a nice cared-for circuit.

[Grandslammer]

Originally Posted by CombeMarshal

Hey Mr Arrrrrr, I got some welders gloves I use, I buy in bulk! You can have a pair...

Not ideal if you have to do any flagging though
All been said really,stay safe and enjoy yourself

[Grandslammer]

Originally Posted by Ian Briggs

I have only been to Coombe once, it looked a nice cared-for circuit.

As pretty as the village itself

http://www.castle-combe.com/

[beefy]

I'll be there on the 28th too. I'd agree with all the above and add that you shouldn't be afraid to ask questions if you have any - we've all been novices once!

[CombeMarshal]

No pork pies!
Or anything else meat for me ta!
There are no stupid Questions, Just Stupid Answers!

[The STIG]

To misquote someone's signiture - "The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked"

Sod the cat, be curious! also, in time, investigate all aspects of marshalling untill you find the one you like - might not be the one you expect it to be!

[ooo-arr27]

Thanks for all your comments guys and gals, definately a lot to take onboard - especially the food bit - having seen the state of some of the marshals at Combe already, there is certainly alot of food flying about

Lee, I'll take you up on your kind offer - i'll try and catch up with you on the 7th May.

[Woolley]

Yep, ask questions, and keep asking. And if someone does something that looks dumb, it's for one of two reasons.

1) Years of experience, having learned that the obvious way is not necessarily the best way.
2) They were being dumb.

Whichever it was (and we'll always try to convince you it was the first), you'll learn something from it.

Most important thing to remember - and I mention it because it doesn't get said enough these days - always face the oncoming traffic and don't sit down while the track is live.

[Grandslammer]

Originally Posted by ooo-arr27

.... having seen the state of some of the marshals at Combe already, there is certainly alot of food flying about

Have we met ?

[ooo-arr27]

Originally Posted by Grandslammer

Have we met ?

We have indeed, and if your memory serves you well from that meeting, my comment above will seem a little pot-kettle-black in nature, but I had to get it in somewhere

Really looking forward to it, enjoyment and safety are the name of the game, but the camaraderie is also a really big factor in signing up.

I will, as requested, let you all know how I get on

[Robin_D]

Cool, hope you enjoy it. I started about a week after turning 16 and the buzz I had when we had our first incident still keeps on coming back incident after incident.

Hopefully you will be hooked!

[yorkie1070]

I hope to be there on the 28th as well only my secomd time but already hooked! Scissors and a multitool where mentioned on the training day, do i need to get either?

[Robin_D]

I wouldn't think you need them, but it would be ideal if you did.

I don't carry them but I find the multi-tool handy for taking the top of the beer in the campsite!

Perhaps a new thread for what should I be taking in my big should be done!

[Dave Brand]

Be sure to mention at sign-on that it's your first day, & when you arrive on post tell the IO and/or observer.

Safety is paramount - you're moving into a strange, potentially dangerous environment. Your personal safety comes above all other considerations - if your partner/IO/observer/whoever asks you to do something you don't feel safe doing, DON'T DO IT!

Ask questions - the people you're working with should be happy to explain why the do things in a particular way.....if they can remember. Watch the way incidents are handled on adjacent posts.

.....and don't forget:

you're doing it for fun!