Brands Hatch - 17/18th August 2002

[Rod Birley]

Escort..most probably,at least that is what is closest to the trailer! 12 races on Sunday. Longest now 15 laps. So hopefully plenty of the right sort of action in quickfire races. Home by 7 not 11. Liked the Donington comment,the Formula Saloons got their race at 6.40 p.m.

[wiggles]

Originally posted by QuickBrownFox
Sign on 7.45 to 9.10 in Hailwoods
Briefing 9.20
On post 9.40
Start 10.00

Cheers QBF.

[Stephen Green]

Good luck this weekend Rod, sorry I won't be there.

On hols next week (decorating) so won't have access to the internet for a week or so. See you guys at Brands for the BTCC extravaganza...

[Peter Scillitoe]

Day One - some comments:

1. Weather hot.
2. Not enough marshals, but we got through with everyone doing an excellent job as usual
3. Decided between myself and my one course marshal that he would wear one glove only. This gets us out of the "to wear or not to wear gloves" saga and is fully in accordance with Tony Blair's middle way
4. Races 1 -5 had average to exceptional grids, and racing was commensurate.
5. Went to an incident without any gloves. I'll own up before somebody comments in a post:confused:
6. As I got very hot, Probans got very sweaty and started smelling. Made metal note to ask if any one has any advice on washing Probans
7. Failed to win the raffle
8. Did get a free beer off Bernie after the meeting (for which extremely grateful)
9. As ever thanks to all the lads (no lasses today, I'm afraid) who suffered me as their Observer on Posts 22 (and 10).
10. Gillingham beat Millwall and return to the top of Division One (OK, I know this is off topic, but with the moderator away the mice can play)

Then there was the 3 hour Uniroyal snoozathon. Still every black cloud has a silver lining. The next round is at my beloved Silverstone and will last a full 6 hours

[Dave Brand]

Originally posted by Peter Scillitoe
7. Failed to win the raffle

I won the raffle at Oulton. My prize? A programme!

More about that later.......

[QuickBrownFox]

9. As ever thanks to all the lads (no lasses today, I'm afraid) who suffered me as their Observer on Posts 22 (and 10).

It was a privelege to have you keep us awake during the three hour snoozathon Peter.

For those of you not in attendence, car 89 in the Uniroyals had a an attraction to the tyre wall at Clearways (he visited it twice). Unfortunately for him, he was the Sunday Express sponsored driver, and his photographer was on hand the second time to chronicle his mis-hap. I couldn't see anything in today's edition, but please keep your eyes pealed in case Peter's made it onto print.

[Brushpusher]

Hi Quick Brown Fox, was it you that kept me supplied with Werther's Originals and nearly caught me napping once (During the 3 hour excitement)?

I was lurking by post 10 following the shade!

Tony

[Rod Birley]

So as not to miss out I volunteered? (got persuaded/press ganged) into sitting in the safety car for 50 minutes whilst the previous occupant,namely Claire Williams,had a break during the snooze athon. Still, I had a little chat with Bernie reminding him how thirsty marshals get!Sorry we could not get more cars for the BRSCC 50kms,we did try.

[pinki]

I'll beat Diamond Geezer to this one.

Day Two.

Fairly good grids, some cracking racing (especially the legends) and quite a few incidents (well there was at Post Six).

Also nice that one of the Legend drivers who came down to the scrut' bay to see Bernie thanked the marshals for their efforts.

Oh, and the Karts were absolutley M A N I C !!!

Pinki (with a worn out pen)

[Claire]

I was on Post 10 on Sunday and we had a quiet day, I enjoyed the racing, no expereince with karts so I am pleased they had spread out by the time they got to us, I guess the guys on the first few posts where holding their breath as they came off the start.
Big thank you to Peter for introducing me to a few fellow marshals it was good to have people to talk to rather than sitting by myself.

[RMR]

What a hot day it was! You guys and girls must of cooked at the posts!

anyway to my question and sorry if this has been asked before, But Saturday was my first Brands race. Does anyone know of any photographers that were snapping away? just be nice to get some piccies. Cheers Richard

[QuickBrownFox]

Originally posted by Brushpusher
Hi Quick Brown Fox, was it you that kept me supplied with Werther's Originals and nearly caught me napping once (During the 3 hour excitement)?
Tony

Hi Tony. Yes it was I. It was good to have somewhere to walk to during the three hours (thanks to Peter for letting me wander up to your post). Did you get to bark at anyone for moving your supporters club on from their pitch?

On a seperate note, I'm pleased to see that fun was had on Sunday. I'm a bit sorry I had to miss the action, but I did manage some trolley racing around the local Tesco store instead!

[Brushpusher]

Originally posted by QuickBrownFox


Did you get to bark at anyone for moving your supporters club on from their pitch?

On a seperate note, I'm pleased to see that fun was had on Sunday. I'm a bit sorry I had to miss the action, but I did manage some trolley racing around the local Tesco store instead!

Hi QBF,

Didn't bother arguing with a closed mind who was "only doing his job". On Sunday parked the family in the disabled enclosure behind 22, which I moved up to.

They were moved again, this time by a nice chap who explained that no-one could park there as a helicoptor was taking off from the pad. Fair comment and my lot quite happily moved as this chap took the time to explain and they were allowed back later in the day.

You were not the only one with supermarket trolleys we had some of those, OOPS, they were Karts. Frightening the speeds that these things get up to, lapping faster than the Porsches.

Take care and see you soon.

Tony.

[Andy Roberts]

Just thought I would say thanks to all you marshalls at Brands on the Saturday. I was in the Formula Honda race (won it ) ) and considering how hot it was in the cars you guys and gals must have been cooking standing there all day! Thanks for your commitment again as we couldn't go racing without you.

Regards,

Andy Roberts

[Peter Scillitoe]

Originally posted by Andy Roberts
Just thought I would say thanks to all you marshalls at Brands on the Saturday. I was in the Formula Honda race (won it ) ) and considering how hot it was in the cars you guys and gals must have been cooking standing there all day!

Andy, many thanks for your kind comment. I know it will be appreciated by all marshals involved with last weekend's meeting.

Thanks for your commitment again as we couldn't go racing without you.[/QUOTE]

Problem, Andy, is that next year you may have to. The powers that be, rather than addressing the current severe problems with marshal recruitment and retention, and the concerns that marshals have over respect, facilities, and treatment, are - if rumours are to be believed - thinking about running some meetings mid-week with marshal cover similar to that as supplied for track days and private practice, backed up by "fast" intervention vehicles. So, if we have a major incident similar to the recent Clio crash at Brands, the fires will burn, and the injured drivers will wait, until the "fast" intervention vehicles arrive (assuming no communication breakdowns and/or misunderstandings). No disrespect to the rescue units and fire trucks who do a very good job, but the Clio fire was out, and the drivers extricated, before they arrived.

[TwoSheds]

Originally posted by Claire
I was on Post 10 on Sunday and we had a quiet day, I enjoyed the racing, no expereince with karts so I am pleased they had spread out by the time they got to us, I guess the guys on the first few posts where holding their breath as they came off the start.
Big thank you to Peter for introducing me to a few fellow marshals it was good to have people to talk to rather than sitting by myself.

Yes, post 3 is (very) interesting at the start of any race, but with karts 3 or 4 abreast one does hold ones breath

Other bits to note:

1. Tyre Wall vs Formula Ford, result 1 - 0, plus no race for FF, and lots of repair work to tyre wall (also tested my reflexes as he hit 2 foot from where I was standing to flag),

2. Mars Bars plus hot weather = squidgy Mars Bars

[Peter Scillitoe]

Originally posted by TwoSheds
1. Tyre Wall vs Formula Ford, result 1 - 0, plus no race for FF, and lots of repair work to tyre wall (also tested my reflexes as he hit 2 foot from where I was standing to flag)

Yes, Mr Hicks and I (alias Hinge and Bracket) both think the post 3 flag point is dangerous, which is why you rarely see us there!!