Bell's Banter 2021

[delta]

Times have changed as we all know. I was desperate to get into motor racing as a 16 year old. I went marshaling at Brands Hatch and would use lunch time to go around the paddock to get as much info as I could to start to build a car.
I guess these days there are plenty of college opportunities for the youngsters to get into motor sport. that's an idea perhaps MSUK should make it compulsory for students to do a stint at marshaling.
I did notice at Wiscombe Park Hill climb a couple of weeks back that there was no shortage of marshals at the event, I got a wave every time I came back down the hill.

[Paul D]

Originally Posted by bauble

Meeting a great many of our friends trackside as a photographer, you realise that they are above all enthusiasts, and give their time gladly, should marshaling become a 'profession' many may feel it has lost the spirit of the job.
Being paid means commitment, and takes away freedom of choice as to where and when to work.
There is no easy solution, although I can envisage an army of 'professional' marshals who work at events like the Grand Prix and BTCC, while the enthusiasts cover the club events, possibly with a contribution towards expenses.

I would also impose a fine on any driver who did not wave at the marshals at the end of a race, that is not a lot to ask - is it?

Just a few thoughts.

Totally agree, Bob.

For many marshals, I suspect it is a hobby for them, just as the racing is a hobby for those of us that compete. I suspect the majority are motorsport enthusiasts who do it because of a passion for the sport and it's also a way of 'getting involved' for many who would love to have a go, but perhaps cannot afford to compete themselves.

If they were paid a worthwhile amount, I wonder if that runs the risk of attracting a different type of marshal? I'm not suggesting they shouldn't be paid, but just playing devil's advocate - is it possible that paying them a decent amount may attract a completely different type of person? The type, possibly, who isn't that interested in the sport or the cars, or perhaps has a passing interest and sees a day's marshaling as an easy pay cheque for a day spent watching the cars go round?

I don't know if this would happen - it just occurred to me that it might. It would be interesting to hear what the experienced marshals themselves have to say about it.

Another consideration surely has to be the implications of the differences between a 'volunteer' and an 'employee' as they would surely become, even if only for the day, if they were properly paid? I'm no expert on employment law, but I'll wager there are a huge number of potential ramifications for any club or circuit becoming an 'employer' of marshals, as well as the ramifications for the 'employed' marshals, such as having to declare income to HMRC for starters, filling in self-assessment tax forms, etc, etc. I imagine the whole idea could rapidly become a minefield, whichever side of the fence you're on (no pun intended!).

[Lancsbreaker]

Your musings are doubtless sound, Paul - we need to find some way in which a "donation" to marshals can be made without triggering employment status.


Whilst I always make every effort to acknowledge marshals at the end of a race (and I know my race partner says its the one thing he misses by doing the first stints) I'm always amazed that even an also-ran like myself gets a clap from the marshals on the slowing-down lap......I always imagine its their gratitude that I haven't caused them aggro by falling off or punting anyone else off

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

Your musings are doubtless sound, Paul - we need to find some way in which a "donation" to marshals can be made without triggering employment status.


Whilst I always make every effort to acknowledge marshals at the end of a race (and I know my race partner says its the one thing he misses by doing the first stints) I'm always amazed that even an also-ran like myself gets a clap from the marshals on the slowing-down lap......I always imagine its their gratitude that I haven't caused them aggro by falling off or punting anyone else off

I must admit that during my brief racing career the acknowledgement I get from the marshals (who I always acknowledged too) on the slowing down race was another 'buzz' I got from racing. I suppose that it was a mixture of a feeling of camaraderie, saying thank you to them as I couldn't have been racing if they weren't there and thinking that I'd hopefully entertained them with my efforts.

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

Your musings are doubtless sound, Paul - we need to find some way in which a "donation" to marshals can be made without triggering employment status.


Whilst I always make every effort to acknowledge marshals at the end of a race (and I know my race partner says its the one thing he misses by doing the first stints) I'm always amazed that even an also-ran like myself gets a clap from the marshals on the slowing-down lap......I always imagine its their gratitude that I haven't caused them aggro by falling off or punting anyone else off

I suspect in your case, it's sarcasm.

But seriously, has anyone asked the marshals why there is a falling number of volunteers? Maybe it is not simply expense that is the problem, perhaps a questionnaire might give some indication of what else is the cause.

Eee by gum, eet's becoomimg complex/

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by bauble

But seriously, has anyone asked the marshals why there is a falling number of volunteers? Maybe it is not simply expense that is the problem, perhaps a questionnaire might give some indication of what else is the cause.

Good idea but if I may recommend, dont do it the french way… priority is to ask to the non returning ones. Each time we have a consultation here, the results are obviously showing great figures, this is what happens when you ask to returning customers.

[Mike_Powell]

It's not just the falling numbers, it's the matter of retention and of an increasing average age of marshals.

[Duddha]

The marshall question is pretty straightforward I believe.

My father did marshall as one of his multiple hats and when he did I usually was the one accompanying him trackside. It's a tough job, standing all day in possible and miserable conditions depending on the weather, long days and I think the people these days are not up for taking such jobs unpaid and without any recognition.

It's something that is not just an issue in motorsport, volunteers are becoming a rare thing in many sports, I see it in athletics and triathlon too.

The world as it develops is only becoming more and more selfish and that is maybe a reason, giving has become optional but time is expensive too and marshalling is indeed a lot of time, costs as well and not necessarily recognised the way it should.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Duddha

It's something that is not just an issue in motorsport, volunteers are becoming a rare thing in many sports, I see it in athletics and triathlon too.

This may be true in some cases, but, for example, there were a huge number of individuals who volunteered for the Olympics in London back in 2012 - more than they actually needed, and it was actually a shortage of paid people for security, etc. which was the problem: I seem to recall that members of the armed forces had to be called in - and not sport, but the number of volunteers who have helped out during this pandemic is amazing.

[delta]

Originally Posted by Duddha

The marshall question is pretty straightforward I believe.

My father did marshall as one of his multiple hats and when he did I usually was the one accompanying him trackside. It's a tough job, standing all day in possible and miserable conditions depending on the weather, long days and I think the people these days are not up for taking such jobs unpaid and without any recognition.

It's something that is not just an issue in motorsport, volunteers are becoming a rare thing in many sports, I see it in athletics and triathlon too.

The world as it develops is only becoming more and more selfish and that is maybe a reason, giving has become optional but time is expensive too and marshalling is indeed a lot of time, costs as well and not necessarily recognised the way it should.

Spot on Louis.
The buzz I get from doing the Classic Marshall's BBQ is eminence, I have since made some very good friends.Also the response I get from drivers who want to do a small something in returns also special.Roll on August.

[Lancsbreaker]

The publication of our Finals for next weekend's CSCC Donington included the announcement that donations to our Marshal's fund were allowing us to give a Breakfast Baguette to all Marshals on each day. Enjoy, guys!


And at the risk of opening a can of worms........why do some spell it "marshal" and others "marshall" ?.... oddly, I always use the former, but would always use a "ll" in "marshalling"........

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

And at the risk of opening a can of worms........why do some spell it "marshal" and others "marshall" ?.... oddly, I always use the former, but would always use a "ll" in "marshalling"........

https://tentenths.com/forum/showpost...57&postcount=6

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

donations to our Marshal's fund were allowing us to give a Breakfast Baguette to all Marshals on each day. Enjoy, guys!

Whilst the can is open - is the fund for one marshal (marshal's fund) or for all marshals (marshals' fund)?

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

https://tentenths.com/forum/showpost...57&postcount=6



Whilst the can is open - is the fund for one marshal (marshal's fund) or for all marshals (marshals' fund)?

Hoist by my own petard, I suspect


I shall go off to marshal my thoughts for a suitably martial response

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by delta

The buzz I get from doing the Classic Marshall's BBQ is eminence, I have since made some very good friends.Also the response I get from drivers who want to do a small something in returns also special.

And it works from abroad if I'm correct…

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

And at the risk of opening a can of worms........why do some spell it "marshal" and others "marshall" ?.... oddly, I always use the former, but would always use a "ll" in "marshalling"........

Because some spell it wrong. But which ones? Aye, there's the rub.

Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

And at the risk of opening a can of worms........why do some spell it "marshal" and others "marshall" ?

Well, marshal goes together with sir, more likely, yes sir. You write it like that when one of those people give you an invite to the race direction. Yes sir, not my fault, did not see the marshal, dont like the yellow color and so on…
As to marshalllllll it comes to your mouth in certain circumstances, like when you rolled the car or when a strong smell of warm electric wires and gazoline are dominent in your b*lls area.
Please note Rich', that several "Ls" often come with a single "F". Like "cant you open the f door" or "cant you cut the f belt" or "cant you use the f FE".

[grantp]

Presumably at least partly because it has been Monaco GP weekend, this popped up as a YouTube suggestion.

1955 GP.

Some interesting camera locations and angles.

Mercedes not doing as well as expected.

Good film quality, in colour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWFZ9TnD35w

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by grantp

Presumably at least partly because it has been Monaco GP weekend, this popped up as a YouTube suggestion.

1955 GP.

Some interesting camera locations and angles.

Mercedes not doing as well as expected.

Good film quality, in colour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWFZ9TnD35w

Thanks for posting this. Just how GP racing should be. No need for artificial measures, just pure driving skill and much more respect between competitors. Still what happened to Ascari makes me thankful for increased safety standards. Also nice to see Monaco, despite now having the swimming pool section, hasn’t changed much down the years. And the usually dominant Mercs failing at Monaco show some things haven’t changed

[bauble]

for info only.

[delta]

I went into work early this morning.Through a country lane there was the most beautiful brown owl sitting on a 30 MPH road sign.
I have just been reminded today is the anniversary of Mike passing away.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by delta

I went into work early this morning.Through a country lane there was the most beautiful brown owl sitting on a 30 MPH road sign.
I have just been reminded today is the anniversary of Mike passing away.
Attachment 68747

That's a year that seems to have flashed by in some ways but not in others.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by delta

I went into work early this morning.Through a country lane there was the most beautiful brown owl sitting on a 30 MPH road sign

Don't be fooled these decoys are the latest police speed cameras

[Mike Harte]

Just a little update about my local medical centre, that I wrote about some while ago. Following on someone one from here suggesting making a formal complaint, I now note that they were placed into special measures by the QCC because of a number of inadequacies, my problem with them included.

A short time ago they also received, what I would describe as, a letter with a rude smell included from one of my hospital's consultants, with the result that they decided to open my local surgery down the road from me to administer my injections as well as providing nursing services to other local patients.

However, they are still an absolute shambles and a huge struggle to deal with, often taking up to 4 telephone calls to get things sorted out. Never mind though, at least my hospital is on the ball, and I actually had a face to face on Friday last with my surgeon who has laid out a plan to lead up to the operation that will, hopefully, finish off what they started last year. The unfortunate thing is that, because of the ginormous backlog, it's unlikely to happen soon. Still, never mind, as long as it gets done.

[midgetman]

Count yourself lucky to get a face to face with anyone. It's not happening herein Wiltshire.

Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

[Lancsbreaker]

Our local practice, and I understand several others in the local area, had a phone system "upgrade" recently. Predictably it is a disaster, with reports of people trying repeatedly (up to 100 times) to get through to reception as soon as the 8.00am "opening of the gates" for daily appointments - which are rapidly taken, of course.


The situation is compounded by lengthy recorded announcements, if you do get through, about covid-related issues, before you get into "position x in the queue" after another bout of "press X for this, press y for that etc" - all of which means the available lines are hugely overloaded.....and of course the doctors are primarily doing telephone consultations after you've been triaged.