Cadet Marshal of the Year 2009

From the Motorsport desk of the Leicester Mercury

Race marshals may not attract headlines but, without them, motorsport would be stuck firmly in the pits.

One of the most enthusiastic is Conor Linnett, of Enderby, who, at the age of 13, is one of the youngest in the country.Now, he has received national recognition by being named young marshal of the year by the British Motorsport Marshals Club.

Conor has been marshalling for two and a half years, and is following in the footsteps of dad Dean, who has 16 years experience.Proud mum Donna said: "Conor has always been interested in racing and started going to meetings with his dad.

"The first time was at Mallory Park where he spent all day in race control. Since then he's carried on doing it, from making tea and delivering messages to more hands-on trackside duties as he has got older. "Conor never misses a meeting and stands out on all weathers. He even managed to break a wrist in a fall while marshalling, but still turned up for the next meeting. "He absolutely loves it, is enthusiastic and always has a smile on his face."

All seven regions of the marshals club nominated candidates, but Conor won the day to receive the David Leslie Trophy, awarded in memory of the British touring car driver who was killed in a plane crash in 2008. The trophy itself is something rather special, one of Leslie's racing helmets mounted on a wooden plinth.

Chris Hobson, National Chairman of the BMMC, said: "The age of marshals is creeping up all the time. At the moment it around 50 years, which is worrying."We created an initiative to attract younger people and this award recognises the work they do and rewards those cadets who have shown the most enthusiasm and have always done their best. And, don't forget, they are all volunteers."

Conor may enjoy his motor-sport but, surely, he would love to be racing instead of marshalling? "Yes, he would love to race," said Donna. "But is all a question of finance and affording to race. Perhaps when he's older."

Chris Finn
Leicester Mercury
3rd February 2009