Why you should join the orange army

Seven years ago I was introduced into the world of marshalling, and I have been amazed how much it has changed my perception of motorsport and cars in general.
Writer Rob Lee on marshalling dutyWriter Rob Lee on marshalling duty
Writer Rob Lee on marshalling duty

Originally taken along by my uncle just to push cars, when I reached the age of 18 I was on my own two feet at marshalling and quickly found out just how good it is.

Never before had I realised how good of a seat you can have at a race track, compared to the spectators, until I stood trackside.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

You feel much more involved that side, as if the racing is only happening because you’re there making the track safe, and whilst you do have work to do, especially when a car has an incident, or you decide to volunteer as a flag marshal for the day, you tend to follow the racing that closely, you find everything enjoyable!

At this point I haven’t mentioned cars, and why am I talking about motorsport marshalling.

If you sign up for marshalling you can pick and choose which events you want to do.

So, if you want to get within inches of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and McLarens doing well over 150mph, then the GT meetings are for you.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Similarly, if you like the older more vintage cars, which are still being thrashed around the track like it was yesteryear and Sir Stirling Moss would still be counted as a youngster, then there are plenty of historic meetings which bring you close to the world’s most iconic cars.

How many times will you get to say to someone that you pushed a 1960s Ford GT Le Mans car out of a gravel trap?

Or that you helped to push a stricken Lotus Cortina British Touring car to safety?

The most important point about marshalling is the people you would be with at the circuit.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Every other person marshalling is as much as a car fanatic as you are so that means you can have a proper conversation with someone without seeing their eyes roll or them yawn.

You can talk about 4.9 litre injection engines and push-rod suspension and not have the other person walk away, because the marshal you are with will have been wanting to chat to a car lover for a long time.

To get involved visit: www.msauk.org

Related topics: