Marshall Fitness Question

[Liz]

The track at Trois-Rivieres is very narrow and especially at Turn 6 the Marshalls seemed to get quite a workout and still be able to continue jumping and pushing cars and helping guys over a rather high wall, with no diminution of energy we could notice. Some of us were discussing whether or not the Marshalls are required to take any kind of fitness training, or if y'all are just naturally fit -- that is, if only the fittest survive to become track marshalls.

Do you have to pass periodic fitness tests of any kind, like the 5 second test the drivers have to do in getting out of their cars?

We were very impressed as we watched the Marshalls this weekend. They looked as fit as the drivers, especially those at Turn 6.

[blackx]

No fitness tests are taken (as far as I know anyway)...
I expect what they were actually doing was working up a healthy thirst..............

[chezza]

Marshals...fit...don't make me giggle!!!

As far as I know there are no fitness tests...if there were we would loose half the marshals and motorsport can't afford to do that!!

[blueflagger]

I think we all develop our own fitness standards. Mine is that I must call it quits when I am no longer able to climb over a chain-link fence or through a hole in same. But even though I can still climb the fence, I'm not near as fit as I'd like to/used to be as a marshal.

[paul leedham]

Fittness comes naturally especially when there's a touring car chasing you at 120 mph.

[Stephen Green]

Strangely enough it dawned on me at Silverstone just how unfit I have become!

Liz there are no fitness scecks or levels that have to be reached to marshal, just the ability to get your sorry backside out the way quickly if attacked by a marauding car and driver.

[Mark Mitchell]

The fittest marshals do incident/safety duties - those who are not become Observers!!

[Flagman]

I always wondered why you quit flagging to become an observer...

[Stephen Green]

*makes mental note to himself* Take the chair with me to Brands next time. All that standing around is beyond me now I'm an Observer

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally posted by Flagman
I always wondered why you quit flagging to become an observer...

I'll never quit flagging - it's still the best job on the circuit. Unfortunately when you are an Observer, it's often quite hard to volunteer to flag as the number of Observers can be low, so you're asked to Observe instead. The only exception being at Donington where you Observe AND flag at the same time!

[Hog]

I'm probably as unfit as they come. But I still manage to do the startline at Lydden for any Rallycross meeting. 50 odd quick sprints is enough for me.

But I'm there, and I'm in orange. That's what matters.

[spearce]

I thought you guys had to be capable of eating 5 donuts in a minute, and practice this regularly on post.

[Cynic]

That only applies to rescue crews. On the bank, you have to be able to smoke a fag, eat a sandwich, and sweep the track all at the same time.

[Bob Pearson]

I've never yet heard of a driver being asked to demonstrate that he can get out of a car in 5 seconds. It is probably just as well.

[Cynic]

I think F1 drivers have to be able to get out of the car in seven seconds. I've never heard of anyone being asked to do it in five though.

[EvilPumpkin]

No fitness tests here either - although I've been making a bit of an effort to improve my fitness level as drivers keep trying to escape......

[Chigley]

Marshals undergoing fitness training

http://www.marshalspost.com/images/tmp/bigTHZUJp.jpg

Training completed satisfactory

www.marshalspost.com/images/tmp/big5LEvkj.jpg

Images courtesy of Crazystu.

[Stephen Green]

What can I say...I'm fit as a fiddle Red wine anyone?

[Bob Pearson]

Stephen,
I think the criteria with us is that we must be able to get out before the next event needs to use the parc ferme area.

[Stephen Green]

Nice one Bob!

[Mark Mitchell]

It took my twenty minutes to get up again after posing for this with EP


www.marshalspost.com/images/tmp/bigrGGagi.jpg

Photo: MagnetON

[Stephen Green]

EP appears to have very heavy eyebrows! and like all Observers, your overals are nice and clean

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally posted by Stephen Green
...and like all Observers, your overals are nice and clean

I'll have you know that I do have some dirty bits on my overalls from whence I last flagged at the F3 meeting at Oulton.
Steven Kane managed to stuff it in the tyres and I *leapt* out of the way and apart from twisting my ankle - got the ovies a bit dusty.

[Stephen Green]

Well you will have noticed that mine are in pristine condition being an Observer

[turbo-ww]

Yup, folded neatly next to the armchair.

Not forgetting the nicely polished red trainers....