hankster
11-29-2004, 02:00 PM
There seems to be a lot of confusion and contention as to the proper way to Marshal a race.
So using information from a post soliciting our readers, we have accumulated these guidelines in hopes that it might help to provide better racing, and a good time had by all who attend a race.
What is Track Marshalling?
A Track Marshal is the same as a Corner Worker in full size road racing.
The responsibilities are:
To help maintain a clear race course for competitors.
To assist vehicles that have become unable to move because of a crash or spin.
To remove from the track and disable vehicles that are unable to continue because of mechanical problems (By the shut off switch whenever possible or unplugging the battery with electric vehicles. and the appropriate method to shut down a gas vehicle).
Providing an open race course for the rest of the racers as QUICKLY and SAFELY as possible.
Requirements:
If you race you have an obligation to Marshal.
Different tracks handle it differently. Some have numbered pylons corresponding with your starting position to indicate where you assignment is. Others just allow you to pick a corner.
In Either situation...After your race is over. Disable your vehicle and return the transponder as quickly as possible and go to your Marshalling position to help the race day go smooth and as quickly as possible.
Be sure you are not standing in the drivers line of sight and blocking a view of a portion of the race track.
Stay focused on your assigned portion of the racetrack. It is easy to get caught up in watching the race and miss getting someone on their way or clearing the track quickly in a crash.
First to crash... First to leave in multi vehicle pileups.
Be impartial- EVERY Driver and Car should be treated equally. ( You don't reset a friend or family members vehicle first if they were on the tail end of a crash.)
For Safety Reasons... NEVER Step into oncoming traffic to get a disabled car. These vehicles, Electric or Gas are traveling at a speed that could easily injure you if you are struck by one of them. Wait for a reasonably clear place to move to the disabled vehicle. MOVE QUICKLY.
Never Put a vehicle in the path of oncoming traffic. The proper method is either wait until traffic is past and reset or remove the car. OR Lift the car off the track to keep other cars from hitting it and then place it back in the race.
ALWAYS set the vehicle on the track Going In the PROPER DIRECTION! Don't just free it from the boards and allow the driver to make a large turn to get back in the right direction. DON'T take the vehicle and THROW it down the track. Set in a position that the driver can quickly reenter the race on his own.
BE AWARE OF VEHICLE THAT HAVE JUMPED OVER BARRIERS!!!
Put them on the track where they left the track. NOT WHERE THEY LANDED. On tracks with alot of switch backs this could advance the vehicle unfairly ahead of competitors.
Attempt to repair minor damage if you can quickly, (Popped Rod ends, Loose batteries, Dislocated Dogbones, Wedged in body parts, etc. Remember... The Cars still in the race have priority!!!! If you have to, hand the vehicle over to a friend of the driver or just shut it off and tend to the track.
If you are not able to Marshal the next race, it is your responsibility to inform the track officials or find a replacement marshal. At many tracks you are penalized a lap or disqualified for not Marshalling and not informing the officials.
Please remember when you are driving, Don't scream at the marshals. Abusive language is not acceptable. If they don't see your vehicle, then yes you can get there attention. But in a proper manner. Treat people like you want to be treated.
Some other things to be aware of:
Be conscience of areas of the vehicle that can harm you.
Gas engines and Electric motors get VERY HOT. exhaust systems on Gas motors also.
Be cautious of moving parts. Wheels, axles, Flywheels, all can cause injuries.
When on the drivers stand, please wait until the Marshal has released your vehicle for their safety, before hitting the throttle.
Make sure you don't have things in your pockets that can fall out on the track as you are assisting vehicles.
Closing thoughts.
Everyone should remember.... Marshal Like You Want to be Marshaled
There is a time and place for everything. When you are marshalling a race, it is not the time for a smoke or to eat. Surely you can wait until the race is over for those things.
There is a saying that holds true... If you don't like being Marshaled don't crash.
In some races it is very difficult.
The most important thing to remember is that we are all out there to have fun!!!!!
Drive Smooth.
Thanks go to Dan Burnham (DJ1978) for putting together these guidelines and all of our Forum members for their suggestions.
So using information from a post soliciting our readers, we have accumulated these guidelines in hopes that it might help to provide better racing, and a good time had by all who attend a race.
What is Track Marshalling?
A Track Marshal is the same as a Corner Worker in full size road racing.
The responsibilities are:
To help maintain a clear race course for competitors.
To assist vehicles that have become unable to move because of a crash or spin.
To remove from the track and disable vehicles that are unable to continue because of mechanical problems (By the shut off switch whenever possible or unplugging the battery with electric vehicles. and the appropriate method to shut down a gas vehicle).
Providing an open race course for the rest of the racers as QUICKLY and SAFELY as possible.
Requirements:
If you race you have an obligation to Marshal.
Different tracks handle it differently. Some have numbered pylons corresponding with your starting position to indicate where you assignment is. Others just allow you to pick a corner.
In Either situation...After your race is over. Disable your vehicle and return the transponder as quickly as possible and go to your Marshalling position to help the race day go smooth and as quickly as possible.
Be sure you are not standing in the drivers line of sight and blocking a view of a portion of the race track.
Stay focused on your assigned portion of the racetrack. It is easy to get caught up in watching the race and miss getting someone on their way or clearing the track quickly in a crash.
First to crash... First to leave in multi vehicle pileups.
Be impartial- EVERY Driver and Car should be treated equally. ( You don't reset a friend or family members vehicle first if they were on the tail end of a crash.)
For Safety Reasons... NEVER Step into oncoming traffic to get a disabled car. These vehicles, Electric or Gas are traveling at a speed that could easily injure you if you are struck by one of them. Wait for a reasonably clear place to move to the disabled vehicle. MOVE QUICKLY.
Never Put a vehicle in the path of oncoming traffic. The proper method is either wait until traffic is past and reset or remove the car. OR Lift the car off the track to keep other cars from hitting it and then place it back in the race.
ALWAYS set the vehicle on the track Going In the PROPER DIRECTION! Don't just free it from the boards and allow the driver to make a large turn to get back in the right direction. DON'T take the vehicle and THROW it down the track. Set in a position that the driver can quickly reenter the race on his own.
BE AWARE OF VEHICLE THAT HAVE JUMPED OVER BARRIERS!!!
Put them on the track where they left the track. NOT WHERE THEY LANDED. On tracks with alot of switch backs this could advance the vehicle unfairly ahead of competitors.
Attempt to repair minor damage if you can quickly, (Popped Rod ends, Loose batteries, Dislocated Dogbones, Wedged in body parts, etc. Remember... The Cars still in the race have priority!!!! If you have to, hand the vehicle over to a friend of the driver or just shut it off and tend to the track.
If you are not able to Marshal the next race, it is your responsibility to inform the track officials or find a replacement marshal. At many tracks you are penalized a lap or disqualified for not Marshalling and not informing the officials.
Please remember when you are driving, Don't scream at the marshals. Abusive language is not acceptable. If they don't see your vehicle, then yes you can get there attention. But in a proper manner. Treat people like you want to be treated.
Some other things to be aware of:
Be conscience of areas of the vehicle that can harm you.
Gas engines and Electric motors get VERY HOT. exhaust systems on Gas motors also.
Be cautious of moving parts. Wheels, axles, Flywheels, all can cause injuries.
When on the drivers stand, please wait until the Marshal has released your vehicle for their safety, before hitting the throttle.
Make sure you don't have things in your pockets that can fall out on the track as you are assisting vehicles.
Closing thoughts.
Everyone should remember.... Marshal Like You Want to be Marshaled
There is a time and place for everything. When you are marshalling a race, it is not the time for a smoke or to eat. Surely you can wait until the race is over for those things.
There is a saying that holds true... If you don't like being Marshaled don't crash.
In some races it is very difficult.
The most important thing to remember is that we are all out there to have fun!!!!!
Drive Smooth.
Thanks go to Dan Burnham (DJ1978) for putting together these guidelines and all of our Forum members for their suggestions.