Drivers & Marshals

[JimW]

Refusing to allow Jackie Ickx through the tunnel at Brands as he did not have a pass.



Jim

[JimW]

On the other side I was an observer at one of the Birmingham Super Prix meetings. Someone comes to the pedestrian entrance during a race seeking to get to Race Control. (We were on the route for that.)

He was pointed towards me and came over. Stuck his hand out and said "Hello, I'm Nigel Mansell and I need to get to RC at some stage for a meeting. When would that be possible?".

Respect. That was the year in which he was World Champion, a Brummie hero and yet he bothered to open his request by saying who he was and not expecting me to know.

Part of why I have always liked and respected him.

Regards

Jim

[Terrible-Tones]

A few weeks ago, during the WEC I think, I was in pit-lane talking to one of the Audi engineers who had wandered up to chief flag position asking about a black and white. We talked about weather, Silverstone and the car. Turned out it was Alan Mcnish, but I hadn't realised at all LOL. Even if I had, it wouldn't have made a jot of difference to the conversation.

Many years ago, in a younger incarnation I was covering the "Olivier Awards" with the BBC. It was televised and Koo Stark was presenting (she was infamous at the time for dating royalty and being a soft porn actress).

Obviously when you work with people you build up a rapport, and she was a nice lady and we got on well. One evening after rehearsals, we both went out the rear theatre door together chatting away and walked straight into a barrage of paparazzi.

Next morning one of the Sunday rags had a big spread with the headline "Koo coo's over mystery man!" - with a picture of her and yours truly looking like an idiot.

Fortunately she saw the funny side! I, however, did not at the time, and got a ribbing for weeks. I am glad I am not famous!

[numbersix]

Mr Mansell asked to cross the track during the FIA systems check on the Thursday of the BGP. Permission was actually denied but he crossed anyway. I heard it on the radios. Couldn't help but smile.

[pauln]

On the Abbey pit wall by the Wing for the Friday of the Silverstone Classic the trainee with me came over to double-check a particular colour of wristbands weren't allowed and then said "I was right to tell Stirling Moss he couldn't come over to the pit wall then?"

[The Fat Clerk]

Originally Posted by numbersix

Mr Mansell asked to cross the track during the FIA systems check on the Thursday of the BGP. Permission was actually denied but he crossed anyway. I heard it on the radios. Couldn't help but smile.

I heard it as well, and thought .............

[ascarracinguk]

I remember being at the pod a few years back and was chatting to a nice fellow about oulton park, and that if been there the week before watching nw formula ford and that there was a brilliant driver called pete Daly. Little did I know, he was actually pete and Gavin wills was standing behind him, chuckling to himself!

[Pitsmarion]

A few years ago at my first Classic there were two "mature" gents standing chatting on the pit wall long after a race had finished, so I asked them to move across to the garages as we needed the wall clear to start the next race. One looked at me, chuckled and said "sorry, I should know that by now" before they both moved off. It was only later someone told me I'd just chucked Stirling Moss off the pit wall..........

[ascarracinguk]

Originally Posted by Pitsmarion

A few years ago at my first Classic there were two "mature" gents standing chatting on the pit wall long after a race had finished, so I asked them to move across to the garages as we needed the wall clear to start the next race. One looked at me, chuckled and said "sorry, I should know that by now" before they both moved off. It was only later someone told me I'd just chucked Stirling Moss off the pit wall..........

LMFAO!!!!!!

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Pitsmarion

A few years ago at my first Classic there were two "mature" gents standing chatting on the pit wall long after a race had finished, so I asked them to move across to the garages as we needed the wall clear to start the next race. One looked at me, chuckled and said "sorry, I should know that by now" before they both moved off. It was only later someone told me I'd just chucked Stirling Moss off the pit wall..........

I've been chucked off pit walls by marshals, does that make ME famous?


bauble

[deley]

Originally Posted by bauble

I've been chucked off pit walls by marshals, does that make ME famous?


bauble

Most people get asked to move so being "chucked off" probably makes you infamous

[Shelagh]

We were doing "Copse In Link" (ie end of pit wall) for the BGP years back (haven't done BGP since 2002) when they were clearing the pitwalk folk out. A very young marshal asked the bloke we were talking to if he could please leave. Our comment: "You don't ask Barrie "Whizzo" Williams to shift, he will leave in good time."

Young marshal was very embarrassed and we felt very guilty at having had a bit of fun at his expense.

[icklimp]

I remember my late Grandmother asking me why I'd bothered checking Prince Michael of Kent's wristband at a fund-raising do, in her usual inimitable style she asked me that in a loud stage whisper right in front of him (I don't think my Nan did subtle sometimes). My answer was if he's going out on track then he needs the armband, walk away to see HRH calling over my Nan and then hear a rather booming voice laughing and saying to her 'the young lady is bloody right you know!'

I seem to remember Nan trying to get an autograph from Mr Moss, he was changing his trousers at an event and made some rather risqué comments to her which they both found hilarious.

[stevebrown]

There is of course the other scenario; being recognised by a famous driver.

Got chatting with Desire Wilson & Bobby Rahal at the Revival one year. I used to wear a baseball cap advertising my former employer which had a lot to do with Mr Rahal at the time and we got chatting about work. I met him again at the Champcar meeting at Brands the following year. This time I asked for his autograph for a friend. He was happy too but was disappointed I didn't want one. But I got yours last year I said. He looked at my cap and said "Oh yeah, it was at the Revival wasn't it? You were talking to Desire & I kinda butted in."

Also at the Champcar meeting The Chief Flag Marshal came to our post on the Sunday morning with a very important looking gentleman in tow. Asked how we were, that kind of thing. He was familiar but I couldn't place him. It wasn't until a couple of years ago when I watched a documentary on 9/11 that I realised the important gentleman was former Solicitor General Ted Olsen, whose wife Barbara was killed on one of the aircraft.