NOMINATIONS OPEN
FOR 2015 AWARDS
YOUR MEMBERSHIP entitles YOU to vote, and gives YOU
the opportunity to publicly recognise the CONTRIBUTION
TO MOTOR RACING of one of your BMMC colleagues.
Nominations are sought in the following categories:
MARSHAL OF THE YEAR
TRAINEE or CADET MARSHAL OF THE YEAR
NORRIE BERGIN TROPHY
JOHN DAVALLOU TROPHY (Brands Hatch ‘regular’
only)
The first two awards relate to the 2015 season only....any
grade; any specialty. The second two awards relate to the
longer-term contribution to marshalling.
A brief rationale for your nomination is required.
Maximum one nomination per member per award.
Send nominations to [email protected]
NOMINATIONS CLOSE on MONDAY 9th NOVEMBER
BMMC(SE) Committee will judge nominations at the No-
vember Committee Meeting
Awards/Trophies will be presented early in 2016
July / August 2015
The BMMC is on Twitter. Follow @BMMC_UK
for updates from National BMMC
Win Some Great Prizes In Charity Raffle
Following on from the suc-
cess of last year’s charity
marshals’ calendar, Na-
tional PRO Paul Sutcliffe ,
is holding a charity raffle
to support supporting
MELANOMA UK.
There are some fantastic
prizes up for grabs includ-
ing A Lotus F1 Team fac-
tory tour; Jackie Stewart
signed photo and a cap
signed by Jenson Button.
See page 6 for more
Chairman’s Thoughts
In the last issue of Marshals’ Post you
will have read Tony Weatherly’s report
on Snetterton to the Association of Brit-
ish Motor Racing Clubs
(ABMRC).Elsewhere, in this issue, you
will see my report to ABMRC which
relates to recent discussions I have
had with Mike Groves, Circuit Manager at Brands Hatch.
I guess my report is longer than Tony’s, since there was
quite a bit of catching-up to do......and once you’ve read
it (published with the full agreement of Mike Groves), you
will see that much remains to be achieved, both from the
point of view of actions discussed and agreed, but inevi-
tably from that of issues about which we didn’t get
around to talking.
The great thing is that both Tony and I have found both
MSV Circuit Managers to be very positive in their re-
sponse to our suggestions and requests....and long may
that continue (Mike was a very supportive ally in BMMC’s
quest to convert Brands’ radios from ‘closed channel’ to
‘open-channel’).
You will also note that we have set up dates for a Post-
by-Post walkabout during which we can talk about spe-
cific issues at specific Marshals’ Posts. We have also
committed to meeting twice more in the next 6 months or
so; once, just hours prior to the SE Region’s next AGM,
and once again, prior to the Brands Hatch Marshals’
Training Weekend (for which a date is yet to be con-
firmed, so we settled for meeting on 3rd February).
Openness and transparency will be the cornerstones of
our discussions and with communicating the outcome of
these discussions with you...and also with non-member
marshals, too.
I look forward to meeting with Mike, again, and I’m sure
you won’t be slow to nudge me, if you think any expected
changes/improvements to the environment in which we
marshal at Brands, aren’t happening within the timescale
you’ve been led to expect.
As I’m sure I’ve said previously, your SE Committee is
very much aware of how ‘Brands Hatch-orientated’ it is. I
guess that’s almost inevitable, partly because we have
no Lydden or Snetterton ‘regulars’ on the Committee;
partly because of the geography of the region. Having
said that, if you are a ‘regular’ (of any grade, including
Trainee) at any of the 3 principle race circuits in SE Re-
gion you might like to think about being nominated to
become a SE Committee Member at our AGM in Novem-
ber. Committee meetings tend to be held once a month,
in Chislehurst, and attendance by individual Committee
Members need only be 7-8 times a year, to make it
worthwhile and to allow all members at all our circuits to
be successfully represented.
...and finally, and on a similar note, I welcome Barry Mor-
ris to SE Committee as Lydden Hill’s BMMC Representa-
tive (not to be confused with the ABMRC’s Representa-
tive, Chris Bird). Barry is a ‘virtual’ Committee Member,
and his presence will be largely, or entirely, in the shape
of correspondence.
Barry, of course is well-known to most of us at race cir-
cuits. However, as Secretary of.....here goes.... ‘South-
East Association of Motor Clubs’(ASEMC), Barry is also
closely associated with Rallies and Sprints in SE Eng-
land; activities of which the SE Committee is pretty na-
ive. So don’t be surprised if you read a little more about
Sprints and Rallies, mostly in relation to requests for
marshals, no doubt, in forthcoming issues and on the SE
website.
Neil Stretton
BMMC (SE) Chairman
2
We have more new members to the region: Charlie Cox,
Ben Martin, Katie Shipp, Geoff Gear, Kevin Ray, Steve
Marston, Bridget Rivers-Moore, William Thompson, Ai-
dan Ross, Christopher Humphreys and Simon Gregory.
Please make them all feel welcome.
It’s been a busy season so far with a veritable plethora
of events, some on the same weekends, which has left
some events stretched a little thin in terms marshals. It’s
all hands on deck sometimes and your willingness to do
what needs to be done is always appreciated.
Membership News
If you find yourself free and haven’t volunteered, do drop
the relevant chief marshal or co-ordinator a line to con-
firm your attendance and organise entry to the circuits –
they will welcome your support.
The weather is typically changeable this summer, so
don’t forget suncream and water. I’ve already spotted a
couple of people this year sporting the lobster glow –
don’t let this be you. Also don’t forget that we offer dis-
counted wet weather gear as well. Check out the club
home page for details on how to order and claim your
reimbursement.
Lynn Sencicle
SE Membership Officer
3
In this edition I would like to update you with a few basic
rules of upgrading, which, if followed, will stop any issues
with upgrading in the future. This is a continuation from
the May newsletter. First let’s cover some basic require-
ments:
1. Signatures must only be for one duty completed on
one day. There must be no dual duty recorded i.e.:
flag/track etc.
2. All signatures can only be obtained at MSA licensed
events. For those who like 2 wheels, please record
your meetings according to the governing body or
club rules for the motorcycle events.
3. Any person acting as, or is, a PC or XPC can sign
your PRC.
4. Continuation sheets must be used when the PRC sec-
tion for the grade being obtained or maintained is full.
Please do not use any other section of the PRC.
5. All ‘on post’ attendance signatures must be collected
first, followed by a Training Day signature and finally
by 'on-post' assessments.
6. ‘On post’ assessments can only be completed at a
sanctioned MSA event and cannot be completed at a
foreign circuit.
7. All completed PRCs for upgrade must be sent to the
Regional Grading Officer of the club of your choice.
Included must be an MSA registration form.
8. Read regional newsletters as they do contain the in-
formation you may need to upgrade.
By following some of the above pointers, and those in the
May newsletter, it will stop any issues with upgrading
which have been experienced over the number of years I
have been Regional Grading Officer.
If you are a Trainee Marshal you must volunteer and con-
firm when attending post in the morning you are a Train-
ee. Until you have upgraded, you are only registered as a
trainee, so please do not volunteer for a different grade/
duty. If there is no option for trainee when volunteering,
please contact the relevant chief marshal/co-ordinator to
confirm your grade.
All regional members are advised to please check which
region you belong to. I am aware that a lot of our friends
from the SW region do many meetings at Brands Hatch
but I am unable to complete any upgrades for a different
region. If you wish me to check which region you belong
to I can confirm your region and can also advise you on
how to change region should you wish to do so.
SOUTHEAST REGION UPGRADES
The following marshals have upgraded:
Sean Cooper, Anthony Almond, Ben Martin, John Pacitti,
Paul Garcia-Sierra Experienced Race
Gordon Barnes, Hannah Cooper, Chris Cooper Track
Marshal
Matt Dolan Incident Officer
Shaun Herilhy, Daisy Lait Specialist Race marshal
Well done to you all and keep up the good work.
And lastly, when contacting me or any other committee
members, please remember we are volunteers. Please
send an email in the first instance for your questions and
only phone if urgent. At this time of year your committee
may be taking vacation with families, so if you have had
no reply after 4 days then we may be on holiday. Give it
8-10 days and if no response do contact us by phone.
Contact details: 3 Savoy Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 5AN
Tel: 07802 652 556
Andy Bumstead
SE Grading Officer
Grading News
BMMC (SOUTH-EAST REGION) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Wednesday, 4th November 2015, 19:30 for 20:00 start.
Hailwoods Bar & Restaurant, Brands Hatch.
More details in October.
1) Acknowledgement of Work Done
New marshals huts on GP Circuit, incl. solid shelves
Long-handled shovels (very useful for lengthy oil spills)
New brooms and rakes on GP Circuit
Broken windows replaced at Posts 10 and 25.
New Portaloos at Post 7
Replacement of cloth flags with nylon flags
Post 16 Portaloo flushing mechanism sorted
2) Marshals’ Camping & Parking
Signage showing where to find the Chemical Waste Dis-
posal site is to be improved.
Re-grading work will be undertaken to remove the ruts at
the entrance to the marshals’ Lower Triangle car park.
This work to be completed in time for that car park’s next
estimated use at the BTCC meeting in October.
3) GP Circuit
The leak in the roof of the new hut at Post 14 to be recti-
fied (rainwater is likely entering the hut via a hook on the
roof used to assist with lowering the hut into place; the
shelf on to which water drips risks being damaged by
continual exposure to rainwater).
Green bins for the storage of marshals’ gear can be eas-
ily dried out and then placed inside the new marshals’
huts without taking up too much space.
Regarding the green bins on other posts, these will be
looked at when MG & NS do their circuit walk in the next
few weeks.
A couple of coat hooks will be attached to the rear wall
inside the new huts, as has been done at Snetterton.
4) Indy Circuit
Post 2: kick boarding or similar will be installed between
the decking and the Armco.
Post 4: Steel uprights along a stretch of Armco at Post 4
are to be installed in the near future. These are much
more durable than wooden posts. They are sunk to a
level of 4ft below ground. Additionally, the tyre walls will
be stripped down and rebuilt.
Post 5: Large stones in the gravel, adjacent to the flag-
ging point, will be removed.
Post 9: Broken window next to the door to be replaced.
Post 25: MSV to look into the feasibility of improving the
handrail leading up to the debris fencing. Several factors
have to be considered and liaison with ALL circuit licens-
ing bodies is required.
New hard bristle brooms and new rakes to be provided
on the Indy Circuit; especially required where there are
gravel traps.
Black hut doors: 5 of these are being replaced. That at
Post 2 will swing open the opposite way to its original
operation. (Dave “Haystack” Pollitt has offered to make
these improvements, and is working closely with MSV
Maintenance on this)
5) Safety Car Boards
MG to discuss with his counterpart, Jamie Hopper, at
Snetterton how best to mount SC Boards so that they do
not need to be hand-held by marshals when required.
This will be a job to be completed prior to the 2016 rac-
ing season.
6) Flags
MG to undertake an audit of flags at a date tbc, with the
intention of replacing flags where required.
Bent “Oil” flag at Post 22 has been replaced.
Further investigations to take place regarding the short-
ening of flag handles.
7) Portaloos
MSV to liaise with the toilet hire company with a view to
replacing all current Portaloos with new ones like those
behind Post 7 for 2016.
Brands Hatch Circuit
Representative Report
4
SUMMARY OF OUTCOMES OF MEETING BETWEEN:
Mike Groves, Circuit Manager, Brands Hatch and Neil Stretton, Marshals’ Representative, Brands Hatch
30th June 2015
5
MSV to ensure that toilets are thoroughly cleaned and
serviced prior to each GP circuit meeting. Service rec-
ords/check sheets to be installed within the toilets detail-
ing when checks have taken place.
Pump-action bottles containing hand-sanitising solutions
to be placed at all wash basins in Portaloos and supplies
to be replenished as required.
MG to look into options to increase toilet facilities in the
GP Paddock.
8) Next Meetings
NS/MG to walk the circuit and undertake a marshals’
posts audit on 10th August.
Next 1:1 meeting – 4th November (immediately prior to
BMMC(SE) AGM)
Further Meeting: 3rd February (provisionally; dependent
on date of Marshals’ Training Weekend)
Neil Stretton
(ABMRC Brands Hatch Circuit Representative)
ABMRC (Association of British Motor Racing Clubs)
Circuit Representative:
This role gives marshals (BMMC members and non-
members, alike) a channel through which to have contact,
via the Circuit Rep, with circuit management. The ABMRC
Circuit Rep can discuss issues directly concerning the circuit
environment in which marshals work, and liaises, directly,
with circuit management in order to address issues raised to
the mutual satisfaction of circuit management and marshals.
In S.E. Region, the ABMRC Circuit Representatives are:
Lydden Hill: Chris Bird
Snetterton: Tony Weatherley
Brands Hatch: Neil Stretton
BMMC Circuit Representative:
This role is one which gives the BMMC Circuit Rep the op-
portunity to communicate to BMMC members items of poten-
tial interest to members, e.g. appeals for marshals at forth-
coming meetings, social events, stories or anecdotes of in-
terest, or anything they might think is of interest or use to
members.
In S.E. Region, the BMMC Circuit Representatives are:
Lydden Hill: Barry Morris
Snetterton: (vacant)
Brands Hatch: BMMC(SE) Committee members,
collectively
Who Are The Circuit Reps?
HAVE A GO ON A RACING CAR SIMULATOR
This isn’t a PlayStation
It isn’t an Arcade Game
This is as close as you can get to THE REAL THING
without risking everything
An evening at RACE-HUB below the Stewart Brabham
Centre is organised by your Committee.
There are just 12 places up for grabs!!
It’s FREE to current members!
If you wish to be one of the lucky 12, text your name and
your BMMC membership number to 07875 797188:
Nothing else!
Closing date for texting is Monday, 17th August.
Committee Members or co-opted members are not eligi-
ble to enter.
Winning names and those of 5 reserves will be drawn out
of a hat at the BMMC(SE) Committee Meeting on 19th
August.
Winning entrants and reserves will be notified by Mon-
day, 31st August.
Race Hub Social Event
SOCIAL EVENT
BMMC South-East Region
Brands Hatch
8pm Wednesday, 23rd September
6
Continued from front page
Following on from the success of the Marshal Charity Calen-
dar, this year I am doing a Marshal Charity Raffle. All pro-
ceeds will go to Melanoma UK. Tickets are £1 each and you
can buy as many as you wish. I have 12 prizes so far and
the list is still growing. Prizes so far are :
A session in the IZone Performance Simulator at
Silverstone developed by Andy Priaulx.
A track day drive donated by Performance-247.
A Lotus F1 Team factory tour.
An original Ferrari painting mounted and framed,
donated by Steve Jones Artist.
FIA official’s shirt signed by Charlie Whiting and Herbie
Blash.
Martin Brundle signed print.
BTCC Photo signed by all the 2015 Drivers.
V8 Supercars Bathurst poster signed by all the
drivers, donated by Race Director Tim Shenken (CAMS).
Jackie Stewart signed photo.
Porsche Le Mans teddy bear.
A chronograph Accurist watch.
A museum and stadium tour of Manchester United for 2
adults and 2 children.
A McLaren cap signed by Jenson Button.
Radical Sportscar’s cap signed by Sir Chris Hoy.
A signed Marshal Charity Calendar.
I will be selling tickets throughout the next few months and
the draw will be completed at the end of October. If anyone
wishes to donate a gift or prize, please get in touch through
either:
Facebook: Paul Sutcliffe
Twitter: @suttie50
E-Mail: [email protected]
Paul Sutcliffe
National PRO
Great Prizes In Charity Raffle
Kensworth Taster Car Trial
Falcon’s Taster Event Car Trial takes place again this
year on Sunday 13th September. Everyone is welcome to
come along and take part either as a driver, passenger or
marshal.
The aim of the Kensworth Taster Trial is to introduce new
competitors, marshals and passengers - young, old, male
or female - to the sport of car trials without the need for a
competition license or club membership card. Competi-
tors as young as 14 years old can take part (subject to
conditions) in this event.
For more details and regulations, visit
www.marshals.co.uk/regions/south_east/index.htm
7
The rather aptly worded ‘Bienvenue au Quebec’ sign
may no longer reside at the infamous ‘Champions Wall’
at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, but the welcome British mar-
shals received at the Canadian Grand Prix was second
to none. Once again, the Automobile Club de l'île Notre-
Dame (ACIND), extended its invite to British marshals to
attend one of the most favoured circuits on the F1 calen-
dar. After hearing nothing but positive feedback from
fellow marshals who had attended in previous years, I
jumped at the chance.
The application process was a breeze with just a few
quick forms to fill out and send back before waiting with
fingers crossed in the hope of being selected. The re-
sulting ‘oui’ email left me feeling like a kid at Christmas,
and I could not wait to get everything sorted to make this
dream a reality. Having never been to Canada before,
and therefore no knowledge of, well, anything that side
of the Atlantic, Marshals' Co-ordinator, France, was ex-
tremely helpful in providing information to make the trip
as easy and comfortable as possible. I’ll come on to the
specifics later, but first, let’s go racing!
As is tradition, members of the ‘International Crew’ met
at an Irish bar (just to keep up with the international as-
pect…) on the Thursday afternoon before the Grand
Prix. This was not only a fantastic ice breaker for new-
bies like myself, but also a great chance for returning
marshals to meet up again with friends from around the
world. It just showed how popular the Canadian Grand
Prix is to those from overseas – there were marshals
from the USA, France, Ireland, Mexico, Monaco, Abu
Dhabi, and the UK of course. It also gave us a chance to
meet our ‘leader’, Lou, who, for years, has taken over-
seas marshals under his wing to help us be part of the
action at this prestigious event. Straight away Lou made
each and every new marshal feel a part of the team and
welcome. It didn’t take long for me to forget I had never
been here before because everyone was so welcoming
and chatty, telling all the first timers what to expect and
some valuable tips and tricks to help us along the way.
Another highlight of the ‘ice breaker’ was a charity raffle.
There were some fantastic prizes up for grabs, including
an array of driver signed merchandise, including a Red
Bull top signed by Daniel Ricciardo, which I came away
as the proud owner of. Not bad for a CAN$10 invest-
ment in tickets… The raffle did go on for about 2 hours
or so, yes, 2 hours, phew, but it was for good reason it
lasted that long – the host was special guest Will Bux-
ton, who is the Formula 1 pit reporter for NBC and
NBCSN.
Living The Dream At The
Canadian Grand Prix
8
Every prize came with its own story or memory from Will,
who entertained the crowd the whole evening.
After the Thursday night festivities it was time for the
serious shenanigans to start, the first day of the 2015
Canadian Grand Prix. One of the excellent aspects of
the Canadian event is the fact that everyone is on a dif-
ferent post each day. This was an added bonus for
someone who might not be able to attend again for
some time because it gave us the opportunity to experi-
ence 3 different parts of the track and work with 3 differ-
ent teams of people. Brilliant! On Friday I was on post 4a
– the third corner chicane and first of the circuit’s ‘brush
the wall if you dare’ challenge. How the drivers can get
that close without actually hitting it I’ll never know! The
photographer’s favourite spot at post 2b (exit of the sec-
ond corner) awaited on Saturday, where the main task
during the F1 sessions was fending off snappers with
the blue flag… Considering I had experienced 2 pretty
decent posts, I didn’t expect too much for race day, but
to be given post 13, the last chicane, was, well, wow!
There are no words to describe the experience of stand-
ing just a few feet away from the track on the first lap
with 20 cars whizzing past at 200mph just before the
braking point. I didn’t want the race to end!
Over the 3 days I met some fantastic people from all
walks of life from all over the world. This is the thing I
love about being a part of the ‘Orange Army’, we all
have one thing in common – motorsport – and it doesn’t
matter where you’re from, or what language you speak,
we are all in it together.
Apart from the fantastic vantage points the circuit has to
offer (I don’t think there’s a post more than 10 feet or so
away from the track…) another big bonus was the on
post facilities. Sometimes it’s the little things that make
all the difference. Each post had its own, clean, Portaloo
(as Newsletter Editor, I’m contractually obliged by Chair-
man, Neil Stretton, to mention the toilet facilities…) and
a cooler full of ice and a selection of cool beverages
(non-alcoholic of course) to choose from throughout the
day. It was quite refreshing come the end of the day to
not have to succumb to drinking water which has been
warming up in your bag all day to the point you could
brew a tea bag in it….
The cooler was replenished at lunchtime, just as our
complimentary lunch bag was delivered to us on post.
No more soggy sandwiches, hooray! Like I say, some-
times it’s the little things that make a big difference. The
hospitality didn’t stop on post, after each day it was back
to the marshals’ tent where we had the morning brief-
ing (alongside coffee, doughnuts, and pastries) for com-
plimentary beer, food and a chance to mingle and chat
about the day. This was a great way to pass the time
after the race rather than get caught up in the 100,000
plus crowd trying to exit the circuit using the one Metro
station available…
9
The time also allowed us to hear from our ‘leader’ Lou,
who was celebrating his 60th Grand Prix and had ample
of stories to share from the years gone by! His achieve-
ment did not go by quietly, instead he was presented
with a picture by Charlie Whiting, which had been
signed by all of the drivers, as well as gifts from fellow
marshals. With Lou being a bit of a connoisseur, the ma-
jority of the gifts, unsurprisingly, were bottles of ‘posh
plonk’. Some did joke that Lou might have to drink it all
before leaving rather than take it back to the States in
case he exceeded customs regulations. I never did find
out which way events unfolded, but, I have since seen
via Facebook that Lou made it home safely, so all’s well
that ends well as the saying goes…
I had only known Lou for a few days, but it was a pleas-
ure to be a part of the celebrations because it didn’t take
long to see why he was such a popular character. His
enthusiasm and dedication was clear from the start.
Although this article is pretty long, it only really touches
the surface of the wonderful experience and hospitality
of the weekend which will stay fresh in my memory for a
long time. I have not only marshalled at, in my eyes, one
of the world’s greatest circuits, I have also met and
made friends with dozens of overseas marshals as well
as other Brits who went over for the event. To really ap-
preciate what I’ve been talking about, you HAVE to do it!
With an automatic place for next year’s event, I now just
have to wait for the fresh 2016 ‘office planner’ to be
placed on the wall at work to book my time off for next
year, money dependant of course!
So now for the bit we try to forget about – the financial
side of the trip! Aside from the flights, the main expense
would always be accommodation for an event like this.
Let’s face it, even ‘budget’ hotel chains can be pretty
‘cha-ching’ anywhere near a race circuit during a big
meeting. However, France recommended the McGill
University New Residence Hall in Downtown Montreal,
and at £500 for the week (Tuesday-Tuesday) - it was a
no brainer. Even more so considering I only paid half
that because I was sharing with a fellow marshal. The
flights themselves were around £700 return from
Heathrow, but we travelled via New York in order to
make the most of our time on the other side of the pond
after the Grand Prix, and spent four days in NYC. Fights
from London to Montreal ranged from £550-£700 de-
pending on dates and times. Transport was not a major
financial concern – a weekly pass for the Metro and bus
network was around CAN$32 – about £18 which allowed
us to travel to and from the circuit each day (3 stops on
the Metro from our hotel) as well as explore Montreal
during our ‘free time’. Food and drink wasn’t a major
concern for the reasons mentioned previously, but there
was ample of places to eat and get supplies, including
the supermarket UNDERNEATH our hotel. A brilliant
concept considering it was a University Hall of Resi-
dence which is sure to have ample students with the
midnight munchies… There are other things to take into
consideration, such as spending money, but that really
does depend on the individual.
All in all, flights, accommodation, travel and travel insur-
ance (not forgetting the excellent £10 BMMC repatriation
Insurance) based on my experience, can comfortably be
done for less than £1,000 per person. OK, it’s still a big
consideration, but not as bad as you might have thought.
Same time next year? Yes please!
Martyn Dolton
Newsletter Editor
10
The committee is here to help you with any
questions or queries you may have. Below are
details of all the members on your committee.
Feel free to get in touch if there is anything we
can help with, but please remember, we, like
you, are volunteers and carry out our duties in
our spare time. We also have jobs and some-
times may not be contactable during the day.
Committee Contacts
If you wish to contact any of the com-
mittee members by phone then please
be courteous and make you calls be-
tween 9am and 6pm Monday to Friday.
Emails are by far the best option to con-
tact committee members on and we will
get back to you as soon as possible.