April club news

Secretary’s Noggin
All BMMC members should now have received an invitation to attend an EGM on Tuesday 21^st April 2026 at 19.00. This meeting has been arranged for members to ratify the proposed changes to the BMMC Articles of Association covering the introduction of a Vice Chair to assist the Chair. Please, review the documents sent and either attend in person, via ZOOM or nominate a Proxy on your behalf. It is important that as many members attend to enable the Club to move forward and provide the members with a strong Council. 

On Tuesday 16^th March 1926, Sir Henry O’Neal de Hane Segrave driving a Sunbeam Tiger broke the world land speed record driving at 152 mph on Ainsdale Beach, Southport.  The Tiger was the last conventional circuit racing car rather than a vehicle specifically designed and built to become the fastest in the world.  Fast forward to Monday 16th March 2026 and the same Sunbeam Tiger ran again on Ainsdale Beach in celebration. Not at 152mph but a more sedate 50mph driven by its owner, Vijay Mallaya and Wing Commander Andy Green OBE (world land speed record holder at 763.035mph.

Congratulations to the Aintree Circuit Club for organising such a special event and to Cataclean for sponsors. A small number of NW region Marshals (including myself) along with volunteers from the Aintree Circuit Club attended and enjoyed a great morning of watching classic cars once again running on such a famous stretch of beach. 

My 1^st circuit event of the 2026 season was at Donington Park for the BARC event. However, the 1^st day’sracing was not the best. The opening Britcar 1.5 race had 3 safety car periods, the 1^st at the end of the 1^st lap, less than 2 minutes racing followed by 20 minutes under the safety car. The following races also had safety car periods. The last race of the day was the Junior Saloons and they showed the way to all the other competitors with a clean race. One race was postponed to the Sunday. 

This weekend the CSCC are at Donington Park with over 400 entries. Looking forward to some good, clean and close racing. 

The answer to the March Trivia Question, what is the name of the circuit shown below and when did it close.

Well done to anyone that knew it is the Crystal Palace Circuit. Opened in 1927, with the 1^st race being for motorcycles on 21^st May 1927. The circuit was 1.6 miles long and ran along existing paths, the corners were tarmac whilst the straights were hard packed gravel. The circuit was extended in 1936 and on 17^th July 1937, the inaugural London Grand Prix was held, won by Prince Bira in the famous ERA R2B “Romulus” Later in 1937, The International Imperial Trophy was held and was won by Prince Bira, it was also the 1^st televised motor race from the BBC. 

The circuit reopened again in 1953 after being commandeered by The Ministry of Defence during the Second World War. The circuit was now 1.390 miles long but complaints for local residents reduced racing to just 5 days per year. In 1970, Jochen Rindt (that year’s World F1 Champion) set the 1^st 100 mph lap, also racing was increased to 14 days per year. 

The last International Meeting was held in May 1972, with Mike Hailwood setting the final lap record of 103.39 mph.  The final meeting was held on the 23^rd September 1972, but club events continued until 1974, when the circuit finally closed. 

April’s Trivia Question, which no longer circuit is this?

Answer in May’s Newsletter

National Volunteer
Volunteering system
We have identified an area of the volunteering database which may not be clear – particularly to new members.

When volunteering for an event you should always select a role – where this is an option. There was a button entitled “Registered marshal” which has now been renamed as “Other non MSUK pathway role.”  Intentionally this was for use for anyone volunteering for a role which is not listed.  Hence the renaming for clarity.If you have used this button incorrectly – please unregister for the event and re register using the correct duty roles available.

Apologies for any confusion and inconvenience.

Regalia
Draw Winners 

On Line Shop

Training
As the training season for some disciplines draws to a close, thank you, all BMMC members, both old and new, who attended training events, giving up your free time to best prepare yourself for the 2026 season.  Also a big thank you to all the trainers who put together the theory and practical sessions that made up the days and of course the Regional Training Coordinators whose months of effort in pulling everything together to ensure the days went well is especially appreciated by us all -thanks to all involved.
I will soon be starting the ‘number crunching’ based on the evaluation forms you completed and in the next newsletter I will provide the breakdown of the numbers trained, the highlights from the events, and areas that can be addressed in future training days etc.
The Regions below still have some training day planned, so if you are still wanting more, please contact the Regional Training Officers:
NI Region
Marshal training has been arranged in association with the MMPfor Sunday 12^th April 2026 at the Training Services, Nutt Corner.  Topics to be covered include Race, Electric and fuel, Auto Test and Training. 
Sign on is between 09.00 and 09.30 and lunch shall be provided.
Please contact either Rory O’Neill or Colin Robinson if you intend to attend, so lunches can be ordered.  
Contact emails are Rory O’Neill ni.sec@marshals.co.uk , Colin Robinson ni.chair@marshals.co.uk
SE Region                     Marshals Training – July 
Contact Anna  se.training@marshals.co.uk
Midland Region            
There will be a number of additional 1 day training events throughout 2026 – dates TBD
Contact Steve: m.training@marshals.co.uk
BRMC                           
The BRMC have released their evening webinar training programme which can be found on both their Facebook page and their website at https://brmc.org.uk/training  There will also be various practical training days delivered throughout the year, although dates and locations are still to be advised. 
Contact chair@brmc.org.uk
Please contact the organisers directly to register an interest in attending any of these events. 
As always, please feel free to contact me should you need to – nat.training@marshals.co.uk
Membership 
The current BMMC membership stands at 3347 as of 21.03.2026. However, to date the Club has lost 83 members who have not renewed their membership and an additional 17 resignations due to ill health or have unfortunately and sadly passed.
New Members 
A very warm welcome to the following new marshals. I hope you have a long and enjoyable marshalling experience and remember everyone is willing to help you along the way.

Marshal Upgrades
The following Marshal upgrades the month of March 2026 are: – 

Regional Reports
Midlands 
Caterham Academy test day May 8th, May 9^th Marshals Club Sprint with Caterham Academy, Curborough Championship and Caterham/Lotus 7 Club
Marshals required. Contact Steve Hill- 07710 131130 or steve@kelvicbec.co.uk
August 30^th joint event organised by BMMC which is Curborough Champion and Caterham/Lotus 7 Club Championship.
Same contact details as above.

North East 
One of the BMMC Northeast marshals has an aim to be on the grid in 2027. Ray Hunter is disabled and loves motorsport. He started marshaling to get closer to the action and now wants to take that next step to be behind the wheel, Ray is seeking help and support and would love for anyone to be part of his journey. 
‘Hello, my name is Raymond Hunter and I suffer from Charcot-Marie-Tooth (formally known as CMT UK) a progressive neurological disorder that damages peripheral nerves, causing muscle weakness, atrophy (mainly in feet/legs), and sensory loss.
I am preparing to compete as a novice disabled racing driver in the 2027 Mighty Minis Racing Championship, with the 750 Motor Club.’
If you would like to know more on how you can help Ray, please contact him via email, raymond.hunter7@talktalk.com
New secretary. 
In the recent few weeks the Northeast has appointed a new secretary. We would like to welcome Jim Little on board and we are looking forward to having Jim on the committee! 

Northern Island 
BMMC NI Region, in partnership with the Motorsport Marshalling Partnership shall be holding its annual training day on Sunday 12th April at 09.00hrs at Transport Training Services, Nutts Corner, Antrim.  Contact Colin Robinson, Northern Island Chair for details, ni.chair@marshals.co.uk
The Region shall also be making 2 trophy presentations on our first race meeting on 28th March. 
Appointment of Deputy Race Director for F1
Northern Ireland Region is delighted this week with the announcement that member, Paul Burns, has been appointed by the FIA as deputy Race Director for F1. Paul has been a member for many years and was a regular on the bank until a leg injury forced him to look at other roles. He began timekeeping at various circuits, before working for FOM and WTCC in timekeeping roles. He then moved back to F1 where he ratified the results. He then became deputy race director in F2 before his new appointment last week.  And he still has time to make the odd appearance on the bank at Kirkistown, a role he assures me that he will continue when his diary allows.  Well done Paul”. 

North West 
It’s been a busy few weeks in the NW region events wise. Marshals across the region attended the Race Retro event and Maria Goode organised a marshals go-karting trip at the TeamSport venue in Warrington. Everyone involved lots of fun.
The Region celebrated International Women’s Day, profiling a number of NW Region female marshals who contribute so much to motorsport across the region. You can see those profiles on the BMMC NW Instagram feed. Our support for the day didn’t end there, as we supported an International Women’s Day Autosolo event in Blackburn which was organised by an all-female organising team.
Our marshals were also out in force for Oulton Park’s first meeting of the year, the 2026 Tour of Cheshire. This is an Historic Road Rally for classic cars that also takes place on public roads and focuses on timekeeping, navigation and precision driving. 

South East 
CKL Developments visit:
In Late February, The SE Region had their first visit to CKL Developments, an Alladin’s cave of Historical cars wherever you looked, from the race cars that are seen at Historical Race Meetings to those that attend concourse events. The owner of CKL, ably supported by one of his staff, showed us around, both with incredible knowledge and passion for what they do. With a post visit lunch & social nearby to round off the visit.
Classic Team Lotus Visit:
This was the SE Regions annual pilgrimage to CTL, where as always, an enjoyable visit exploring the workshop and upstairs in the gallery of cars covering the era of Lotus Racing. Guided by a very knowledgeable & amusing member of staff, followed by post visit lunch & social nearby to round of the visit.

 On Thursday 26^th March, the SE Marshals spent the morning at Team Brit along with Team Principle Mike, supported by Al on the technical side and driver Mike (sat in the GT3). Always something to learn at these visits including the discomfort that Mike experiences in his amputee leg if involved in an incident, the insulation of leg restraints and hand controls. Time was spent with the race simulator and Blaze reactions. Another visit is planned for later in the year. 

South Midlands 
Evening social arranged for 1st April at 19.00 at White Hart Silverstone, a ‘Noggin and Natter’ with Stuart Pringle OB, the CEO of Silverstone Circuit. This is open to all marshals and guest. Come along for a fascinating evening and an insight into the Silverstone circuit and its future developments and plans, karting, F1 and WEC.

Upcoming Events 

Rally

WRC Returns to UK – Rally Scotland 
Hugh Chambers announced on Monday 16^th March, that Motorsport UK had secured an agreement with World Rally Championship Promoter GmbH to bring the FIA World Rally Championship back to the UK, with a new event titled Rally Scotland, beginning in 2027.
Following funding agreements with the Scottish Government, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council, Rally Scotland is confirmed for an initial three-year run from 2027 to 2029.
The return of the championship is a landmark moment for UK motorsport. As a cornerstone of the World Rally Championship since 1973, Britain’s place on the calendar is restored—reconnecting the series with one of its most passionate and knowledgeable fanbases.
Based in Aberdeen, Rally HQ and the Service Park will be located at P&J Live. The event will blend world-class forest gravel stages with dynamic urban spectator sections, bringing the action closer to fans than ever before.
More than a sporting spectacle, Rally Scotland is designed as a platform for progress—demonstrating how motorsport can contribute to wider societal and environmental goals. This includes:

• Advancing sustainable fuel and low-carbon technologies, with WRC cars already running on 100% fossil-free fuel
• Inspiring communities through STEM and future mobility initiatives
• Supporting volunteer development across the motorsport community
• Expanding diversity and inclusion within the sport
• Delivering tangible economic and tourism benefits to the region

Motorsport UK will work in close partnership with the WRC Promoter, government and local stakeholders, and the rally community to deliver an event of the highest standard.
Further updates will be shared as plans develop. Visit www.rallyscotland.org to sign up and follow @RallyScotland for the latest news.

Volunteers Wanted 
Race

1. Marshals are required at RAF Portreath Sprint run by the Truro and District Motor Club on Saturday 11^th and Sunday 12^thApril 2026. 

This is the 1^st event of the season and there has been a fantastic response from competitors, if you are local and would like to attend, please contact Paul Plummer on WhatsApp 07707456853.
There will be toilet facilities at all posts and a hot lunchtime meal along with plenty of snacks will be provided.

Rally

1. The Alan Healy Memorial Rally organised by the Borders Motor Club on Sunday 26^th April 2026 at Cadwell Park still need additional stage marshals. A goodie bag as well as breakfast vouchers will be available at sign on. 

Interested then please register at bordermotorclub.co.uk/ahmr/marshals or email to chiefmarshal@bordermotroclub.co.uk.