Posts by: National Social Media

Martin Brundle 

Congratulations to Martin Brundle upon his appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2025 New Year Honours list. 

Chair’s Statement.
After the horrendous incident in the British Supersport race at Oulton Park earlier in the month, last Saturday was another very sad day for motorsport in this country.  It makes you realise that, even with all the safety measures we have in place, our sport can still be very dangerous.

On the Jim Clark rally co-driver Dai Roberts died at the scene after emergency services were called at around 10:50 whilst his driver, James Williams, 27, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries. The remainder of the closed-road event, held near Duns, was cancelled along with the Reivers Rally, scheduled for Sunday.

Julian Grimwade was competing at the Vintage Sports Car Club’s race event at Donington Park when he was fatally injured.  Known for his spirited participation and prowess behind the wheel of pre-war machines, Grimwade was driving his Oakland Romano Special in the Mephistopheles & Lanchester Trophy event but tragedy struck during the first lap, leading to an immediate red flag. The second and third races went ahead about an hour behind schedule but then a simple announcement was made that the meeting was being abandoned.

To the families, friends, team members and others who knew Dai or Julian, we send our deepest sympathies and condolences.  We also hope James recovers fully and speedily from his injuries.  To those involved in dealing with the incidents we offer our complete support.
Whenever there is an incident, be it minor or major, simple or serious it is the marshals and officials who are called on to deal with the consequences.  All of us react in different ways – some can shrug off the incident, others find it more difficult to deal with.  Whether you are closely involved or just see or hear about it, if you feel you have been affected, we would implore you to talk to someone – a fellow marshal, a friend, your GP, Motorsport UK, anyone who will lend a sympathetic ear to help you realise your feelings.
BMMC, the organising clubs and Motorsport UK offer counselling services to all registered officials.  We encourage anyone who thinks they may benefit to contact us so we can ensure the correct support is in place.  
We also encourage all marshals and officials to attend a “First Marshal on Scene” training module, where you can acquire and practice the required skills needed in the event of a serious injury event.  Understanding what needs to be done and being confident in your actions helps enormously if you are involved in this type of incident.  The need for this module was discussed in a trainers Zoom call only last week – BMMC is ensuring our trainers are fully conversant with the requirements for this module to be given to all who want it.

Motorsport is a fantastic sport, we will continue to ensure that, wherever possible, all precautions and actions needed are taken to ensure your safety and enjoyment.  Please remember that your safety and that of your fellow marshals and officials is our primary focus alongside the necessity to ensure everyone from the competitors to the spectators can enjoy their motorsport in the safest possible environment.

Chair’s Noggin
As an MSUK Steward I get to see many different aspects of our sport.  Around November or December each year we are sent an allocation sheet where we indicate which weekends we have available to act as a steward. We then wait, in eager anticipation, as January and February roll around to see to which events we have been allocated. If you are lucky, you will be appointed to one of the national championships where a panel of stewards oversee two or three events each, otherwise it will be a random selection of events.

This month I have had the pleasure of stewarding a BARC weekend at Snetterton, the MSUK hill climb championship at Craigantlet and a kart race meeting at Clay Pigeon Raceway. Very different events but all marked by the same enthusiasm and dedication from the officials and the marshals.  At all the events it is great to see our BMMC badged overalls helping to protect our members as they perform their duties.

Whilst enjoying all aspects of our sport we still need to keep in mind the dangers to which the officials and competitors are exposed. Our training sessions are centred on ensuring our members have the skills and knowledge to be able to perform their duties in the safest manner possible. The recent tragic events in different aspects of the sport have only served to show that we need to always be alert to the safety aspects.  

This month I also had the pleasure of visiting MSUK headquarters at Bicester for a meeting with Hugh Chambers, John Ryan and senior members of staff responsible for our marshalling activities. In a wide-ranging discussion we looked at topics such as the use of lights and flags, the training and grading scheme, representation at Motor Sport UK, feedback from the 2024 Grand Prix questionnaire and numerous others. I’m happy to say that it was a very positive meeting with both sides promising to increase the interactivity between us and to work more closely together in the future.

I know that Ian Whiting, Midland region chairman, has been actively working with MSUK and Silverstone to ensure that the problems encountered by marshals at last year’s Grand Prix are not repeated this year.  We will be manning a recruitment stand at the GP where I hope we will be able to entice some of the spectators to come “over the fence” and join our great team.

Whatever discipline of the sport you are involved in I hope you will enjoy the rest of the season. Stay safe and remember that if you have any queries, questions or comments about the club your regional committees are there to help you as are the national officials.

Secretary’s Noggin
The tragic events during this month highlight the fact that motor racing (in whatever form) can be very dangerous and that anything can happen, anywhere and at any time. So, please everyone stay vigilant, be careful and watch out for one another at all times. 

May has been a busy month of marshalling for me. Starting with the Donington Historic Festival. This event is now under new management and organisation and things have changed. The event was spread over 3 days and the set up in the paddock included clearly defined and marked class areas. The racing along with the weather was great and to top it off, on the Saturday night a great evening’s entertainment from Rick Parfett Jnr and his band. 

For those marshals that have never been to the Cadwell Park, please add it to your bucket list of circuits to visit. Nicknamed the “Mini Nurburgring”. A really wonderful circuit offering both drivers and riders a great and challenging experience. I was there recently for the 2 days of the CSCC meeting. An event with an eclectic collection of cars racing in each class and for the majority of races full fields.

My favourite races had to be the Morgan Challenge (2025 is the 40^th anniversary of the Morgan Challenge), the sound of the leading 4 Morgan Plus 8’s roaring past Post 12 Barn Approach was something to see and hear.  Closely followed by the big Jaguars and the scream of their supercharged engines and the sight of a Jaguar X Type Estate car mixing it up with its bigger brothers.  

Regional News
Midlands

For all marshals and race goers visiting Donington Park over the last couple of events, will have seen a new addition in the paddock opposite Garage 39. This is Marshal Post 40 (MP40). A homage to the now redundant marshal post numbering, the new FIA standards has led to this format change. 

First envisaged a few years ago, it was Johnathan Palmer who suggested that permanent fixture should be created to showcase the kind of activities marshals carry out at a typical circuit. What followed was a lot of hard work and with support from MSV, MP40 at Donington was quietly launched during the BTCC opening race weekend, with Richard Harris being interviewed by Alan Hyde for his BTCC Tin Top Tuesday podcast. An official opening ceremony is being planned in the near future.

MP40 is a dedicated recruitment space is in a prime position in the main paddock with the centerpiece being a particularly beaten-up Ford Focus race car. 

This car has been kindly donated by the Focus Cup and really highlights to the public, the kind of incidents that track marshals are trained to deal with and is a testament to modern safety standards (the driver survived with minor injuries). It’s certainly a great catalyst for starting conversations with the general public who don’t have much of an understanding what marshals do. 

There are also posters, leaflets holders and a large information wall detailing useful information for anyone wanting to get into marshalling. Plus, a large video screen showing the BMMC video content or marshals in action with QR codes directing anyone wanting a more digital experience.

The next time you are either marshalling or just spectating at Donington Park, drop by and say hello. 

SE Region 
The South East region was finally able to present our trophies in March and I having missed the deadline for the last newsletter, here are the SE Regional & National winners. Well done to all who won. Don’t forget if you feel a marshal deserves a nomination then use the form on the SE website or email your regional chair with the name and why you think the marshal deserves an award.

The South East committee has met every month so far with many topics being discussed in order to improve the region and the club. Feedback regarding any concerns is always welcome and appreciated, please contact committee reps or chairs. We do listen and take every opportunity to try and make changes for the better and to be safer in our roles. Changes won’t happen overnight but are works in progress.

The South East has a new exciting project in the early stages of development and discussions are underway with key stakeholders of which the outcome will provide information, guidance and training for every marshal. Stay tuned for further updates.

The South East is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Social Media coordinator. Jatha Sundarapalan has taken on the role and has already got the South East more social media focused with new accounts on some of the more trending platforms. Do go and check us out on the socials as the young folk say!!

Andy Bumstead (SE Chair) has been fortunate to travel to some of the other circuits across the other regions and numbers of marshals seem to be healthy. What is concerning is that marshals seem to forget the basics in dealing with incidents and this was evident at a race meeting where the marshals set off 1 fire extinguisher in the car, thinking this was the electric cut off switch. Another was trying to pull the extinguisher pull without success when he should have been pulling the electrics. 

If you are unsure ASK and remember mistakes cost drivers money on top of repair bills they may already have.
Membership

The membership currently stands at 2841 (as per 22/05/2025) with 428 non-renewals for 2025.

 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
Congratulations and well done to the following marshals who have successfully upgraded:

Volunteer Marshals wanted
The following events are currently looking for additional marshals to attend 
Race

1. Donington Park is still looking for marshals for the BRSCC Club Race meeting on the weekend of 7^th and 8^thJune. Contact either Nina Fountain 07810 358318, email nina.fountain@brscc.co.uk or Mel Baggaley 07795 275211 email admin@doningtonesteam.org.uk if you would like to attend either day or both days. 

Rally

1. Marshal registration is now open for the Nicky Crist Stages (Saturday 12^th July 2025) on https://www.rallystageteam.co.uk or by contacting the Chief Marshal, Ian Evans at marshals@nickygriststages.co.uk. A HSE compliant Individual First Aid Kit is being offered as a thank you gift to all attending marshals. 
2. Registration is open for the Rali Ceredigion on the 5^th to 7^th September 2025. Marshals wishing to assist at this year’s event and get the full experience of another exciting JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion. Online registration is available here: https://www.rallystageteam.co.uk if you need any further information, please contact our Chief Marshal Wenna Roberts on marshals@raliceredigion.co.uk

Further off-stage locations, such as the start, finish and service park, shall be added in the near future.

1. Registration is now open for the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire 26^th to 25^th September 2025 at https://www.rallystageteam.co.uk
2. The 2025 Roger Albert Clark Rally shall have a new Northern base when it moves to Carlisle for the Saturday, Sunday and Monday legs of the November 20^th to 24^th Event, following the 1^st 2 day’s competition in Wales.

The rally shall be based at Carlisle Airport, with competitors arriving on the Friday evening or early Saturday morning through to the end of the event on the Monday. The departure lounge shall be available for both visitors and competitors with café, toilets and showers for all. Outside there are 450 parking places for support vehicles and spectators.

Krazy Races Update.
Further to last month’s appeal for marshals to assist with the Krazy Races, Nadine has advised that:

1. For Lincoln on Sunday 22^nd June, Nadine has two volunteers but still required another 1 or 2.
2. For Newbury on Sunday 24^th August, to date no offers of assistance received.
3. For Bristol on Sunday 7th September, Nadine has a single volunteer, however, another 2 or 3 marshals are still required.

If you can help and volunteer to attend any of the above, then please contact Nadine Lewis, email nat.volco@marshals.co.uk
Additional information can be obtained from www.krazyraces.co.uk

After the horrendous incident in the British Supersport race at Oulton Park last month, Saturday was another very sad day for motorsport in this country.  It makes you realise that, even with all the safety measures we have in place, our sport can still be very dangerous.

On the Jim Clark rally co-driver Dai Roberts died at the scene after emergency services were called at around 10:50 whilst his driver, James Williams, 27, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries. The remainder of the closed-road event, held near Duns, was cancelled along with the Reivers Rally, scheduled for Sunday.

Julian Grimwade was competing at the Vintage Sports Car Club’s race event at Donington Park when he was fatally injured.  Known for his spirited participation and prowess behind the wheel of pre-war machines, Grimwade was driving his Oakland Romano Special in the Mephistopheles & Lanchester Trophy event but tragedy struck during the first lap, leading to an immediate red flag. The second and third races went ahead about an hour behind schedule but then a  simple announcement was made that the meeting was being abandoned.

To the families, friends, team members and others who knew Dai or Julian, we send our deepest sympathies and condolences.  We also hope James recovers fully and speedily from his injuries.  To those involved in dealing with the incidents we offer our complete support.

Whenever there is an incident, be it minor or major, simple or serious it is the marshals and officials who are called on to deal with the consequences.  All of us react in different ways – some can shrug off the incident, others find it more difficult to deal with.  Whether you are closely involved or just see or hear about it, if you feel you have been affected, we would implore you to talk to someone – a fellow marshal, a friend, your GP, Motorsport UK, anyone who will lend a sympathetic ear to help you realise your feelings.

BMMC, the organising clubs and Motorsport UK offer counselling services to all registered officials.  We encourage anyone who thinks they may benefit to contact us so we can ensure the correct support is in place.  

We also encourage all marshals and officials to attend a “First Marshal on Scene” training module, where you can acquire and practice the required skills needed in the event of a serious injury event.  Understanding what needs to be done and being confident in your actions helps enormously if you are involved in this type of incident.  The need for this module was discussed in a trainers Zoom call only last week – BMMC is ensuring our trainers are fully conversant with the requirements for this module to be given to all who want it.

Motorsport is a fantastic sport, we will continue to ensure that, wherever possible, all precautions and actions needed are taken to ensure your safety and enjoyment.  Please remember that your safety and that of your fellow marshals and officials is our primary focus alongside the necessity to ensure everyone from the competitors to the spectators can enjoy their motorsport in the safest possible environment.

Chris Hobson

National Chairman

 Tel: +44 (0) 7789 206 809

Website: www.marshals.co.uk

It was with great sadness that we heard about the tragic incident at Oulton Park during the Super sport race on Bank Holiday Monday.  Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the families of Owen Jenner and Shane Richardson for their terrible losses and we send best wishes to Tom Tunstall and hope for a speedy and successful recovery from the injuries he sustained.

We would also reach out at this time to all the marshals and officials who had to deal with such a challenging incident. Whether they are long time experienced marshals or newcomers to the sport it is only afterwards that the full impact of what has happened is felt by those involved.

Any member of the BMMC who may have been at the meeting and want to talk to someone should remember that we have a free, confidential counselling service available to all our marshals and officials 24 hours a day On 0117 934-0105.  Even if you are not a member but wish to speak to someone then please call any of our national officials who are here to listen and to offer help and support.

No matter what form of motor sport you are involved in BMMC is here to offer our help and support.  The sport will continue and, we hope, those so tragically involved in this type of incident will be remembered.

Chairman’s Chat 
It’s Spring and the fixed venue season is well underway, I hope everyone is enjoying the events they attend. So far, I’ve been stewarding at two kart events, two circuit races and a sprint.  At all the events it was gratifying to see so many BMMC members and to have the opportunity to talk to some of you. (I also watched the dodgem car racing (AKA BTCC) from Donington on TV, but had better not say anything about that – except “well done” to all you hard working marshals clearing up the carnage)!

Whenever you see my name down as MSUK Steward at an event you are attending, please come and say “Hello” and let me know what we are doing well and where we can improve.  I am especially interested in how we can improve communications inside and outside the club.  I had a meeting recently at MSUK and that was one of the main topics of conversation, so please let me have your thoughts.

I hope the circuit marshals amongst you are getting used to the new post numbers – I have to say that after 50 years of referring to “Druids” or “The Old Hairpin”, or even “Post 4A” or “Post 13”, it will be hard to use “1.5” or “2.3”.  But that is what we need to do to be FIA conformant – such is progress!

Our regional training officers are getting together to plan how we will run training in the coming season and at the start of 2026 – have you got any ideas as to how we can improve/make more interesting our events?  Please let me or Alan Page, our National Training Officer have any thoughts that might help.

Are you collecting signatures for your upgrades?  We, and the other clubs, seem to have a low number of people applying for upgrading – and I am not sure why.  Is it the grading scheme itself?  Is it the process?  Or are you simply happy with the grade you hold?  As with all volunteer run events, the clubs see a turnover of members each year, plus all of us are getting older (said he with feeling!).  We need to ensure we are bringing members up through the grades to fill those slots and keep our sport healthy.  

Please let us know what, if anything, is getting in the way of your upgrading, or indeed any comments re the grading scheme in all disciplines.  We can then discuss this in the club and take your comments to MSUK.  

I look forward to seeing you around the UK and hearing your thoughts on our club and motorsport in general.

Regalia
BMMC is excited to announce that, in celebration of the British Motorsports Marshals Club’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community through the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant A new sew-on patch has been commissioned and is now available for just £2.50 plus postage. To place your order, please email Adrian Liddiment at nat.regalia@marshals.co.uk

Club Sponsorship
The BMMC as a club is on a mission to find new sponsorship partners who can help the BMMC ensure that our marshals’ overalls are fully sponsored and subsidised. If any marshal has any inspirational ideas or valuable contacts that could lead to new sponsorship opportunities, please connect with Adrian Liddiment at nat.regalia@marshals.co.uk.

Donation 
Club Time Attack, 2025 Fundraising for the BMMC 
For 2025, Club Time Attack has selected the BMMC as its chosen beneficiary of its charitable efforts.  Throughout 2025, Club Time Attack shall raise funds in aid of the BMMC by various initiatives;

1. Late payment entry fee penalties.
2. Drivers’ raffles. 
3. End of season Club Time Attack raffle at their 2025 Gala Awards Dinner 
4. Additional Ad Hoc opportunities introduced throughout the 2025 season. 

All proceeds raised by the above initiatives shall be donated to the BMMC at their Gala Awards Dinner in Daventry in November 2025. 
In addition, to celebrate 20 years of Time Attack and to thank the marshal community for their support since the Clubs inception in 2005. A number of special gifts shall be given to marshals at each meeting

1. Rucksacks specifically designed for marshals. 
2. A commemorative sew on patch badge foe every marshal at each meeting. 

Training 
Following pre-season regional training days and now that the season is in full swing the Regional Training Coordinators are busy reviewing all the evaluations forms in order to establish what went well, what could be improved and how best to incorporate any identified requirements and needs. 
 If any marshal has had time to reflect on the training days and wishes to contribute your thoughts and ideas, it is not too late. Email them to your Regional Training Coordinator or the National Training Coordinator and they will be reviewed.

Regional News
North East
 If you are unable to attend the 2025 24hrs of Le Mans, The Motorist in Sherburn in Elmet is organising “The 24 Hours of Le Mans Festival”. There are 50 camping plots available and tickets are available now. For more details contact The Motorist. New Lennerton Lane. Sherburn in Elmet. LS25 6JE. Telephone 01977 233200. Email bookings@themotorist.com

South Midlands
BMMC South Midlands has been asked to organise and man the recruitment stand for the 2025 F1 British Grand Prix, planning is underway.

BMMC Suth Midlands along with BRMC are planning a tour of the Prodrive facilities in Banbury for up to a max. of 20 people on Wednesday 16^th July 2025, to be run over two sessions, morning and afternoon.  This should be a very interesting tour, so if interested in attending contact Ian Whiting ASAP. 

The following Silverstone events that are short of volunteers;

If you have not already volunteered and would like to attend, please log on to Silverstone Marshals portal for more details.

A group of volunteer BMMC marshals have committed to working with Team BRIT to enhance safety standards linked to disabled racing drivers.

Representatives from the South East Region of the British Motorsports Marshals Club (BMMC) visited the Team BRIT headquarters in West Sussex on Friday 28^th March to learn more about the team, the technology and cars, and to hear about the challenges facing disabled racing drivers at UK race circuits.

After hearing the team’s history and goals, and learning more about the hand controls, the marshals were shown how the team’s wheelchair users approach driver changeovers and vehicle extraction, with a disability.

GT4 drivers Aaron Morgan and Paul Fullick are pairing up in the Britcar Endurance Championship this year, and demonstrated both what is required of them as competitors, but also how race marshals could help them in an emergency situation.

Motorsport UK, the sport’s governing body, requires that disabled drivers prove they can extract themselves from a vehicle within 10 seconds in order to qualify for a race licence. Disabled drivers therefore have to submit video evidence of this as part of their licence application – something able-bodied drivers are not required to do. Aaron demonstrated how he achieves this as a paraplegic, by pulling himself out of the car and on to the floor, using his upper body strength.

Aaron and Paul then demonstrated how they have perfected driver changeovers whilst being dependent on wheelchairs, and explained how marshals could best assist them if a safety incident was to occur on track.

With many marshals keen to receive bespoke training on responding to disabled drivers during a race, and to improve the procedures in place at race circuits, Team BRIT has committed to working with the group to share ideas and opportunities for best practice.

The team plans to work with the SE BMMC on the creation of a safety guidance video to be shared across the UK, and Team BRIT drivers have agreed to attend training sessions for marshals to provide an input on disabled racing drivers.

Team BRIT driver Paul Fullick explains, “It was really great to meet the marshals this week. Race marshals are hugely under-appreciated – there wouldn’t be any motorsport to take part in if it wasn’t for the many, many hours they give up to make our races safe. We’re incredibly grateful to them for that

“Whilst it was great to share the story of the team and our technology, what was most useful was to understand the procedures in place from their perspective when a disabled driver is competing, and to hear more about their own questions or concerns on how best to support a driver with a disability.

“British motorsport is such a well-loved, well-organised sector, that leads the way in so many elements of racing. A lot of work has been undertaken in recent years to make sure that it is as inclusive and as accessible as possible, but there are some simple things we can do, in partnership with race marshals to further improve on safety standards and the experiences of disabled drivers.

“There are some things that just haven’t been addressed, such as making podiums accessible – we should be able to get on the podium when we win – and making sure there’s more than one accessible toilet on a race track. The more critical issues are making sure that all marshals at every race meeting are briefed on any disabled drivers taking part, and how they can assist them should a safety incident occur.

“We’re looking forward to working with the South East BMMC on addressing some of these points, and sharing this learning and best practice right across the UK.”

Ian Bowles, Membership Co-ordinator of the SE BMMC said: “Taking a group of BMMC SE Marshals to the Team BRIT HQ was very informative, especially the joint discussion around ways to improve how we can work together as one in motorsport in the future. 

“Working with Team BRIT will allow us to develop new and additional training, not only for the BMMC SE region marshals, but nationally for all, no matter which club marshals belong to.

“We’re excited to be working with Team BRIT on this joint project, which will ultimately benefit everyone in motorsport. Disability should not be a barrier, something the team is proving in their success and development. We can also work together to finding funding streams to support this fantastic opportunity going forward.” 

BMMC SE Training Co-ordinator Anna Lambe said: “Our visit to Team BRIT was both enjoyable and insightful, highlighting the importance of communication and training for all marshals and rescue teams on how we can best support disabled drivers. Securing resources and funding for these kinds of initiatives is one the key roles of the BMMC. And one of the reasons the UK is recognised as having the best motorsport marshals in the world.”

BMMC SE Chair Andy Bumstead commented: “My thanks go to Team BRIT for their support of the marshals this year. Their enthusiasm to support us with training and information to allow us to be more informed and supportive, not only of their own drivers, but of all clubs and championships that may have drivers with disabilities. In my role as a rescue crew chief, I look forward to working with Team BRIT to learn more about how we can work better with drivers with disabilities, and explore best practice ideas for other rescue teams.

“On behalf of all marshals, no matter which club we belong to, thank you Team BRIT for your support.”

At a special Directors meeting last week (6/3/25) it was unanimously agreed that Chris Hobson (currently a Vice-President of the club) would assume the role of National Chairman on a pro-tem basis until the next AGM in December.

Following the resignation of the previous National Chair, the club advertised the position and was intending to run an election as per the club’s constitution.  

Unfortunately, no volunteers have been forthcoming.  It was therefore proposed that Chris Hobson (who was National Chair from 2004 to 2016) be appointed to lead the club whilst ongoing efforts are made to find a permanent replacement.   

Chris has assumed the role with immediate effect and will step down from his role as Vice-President whilst acting as National Chairman.

One of the first acts for Chris is to review the allocated activities for all Council members to identify how they may be more equitably spread across the directors and executive members to ensure no role (including that of National Chairman) requires a disproportionate amount of effort from the volunteer incumbent.  

He will also be looking at the representation of the club with outside bodies and will be seeking volunteers from the membership as a whole, to seek election to Motorsport UK’s various committees and working groups.

Chris can normally be seen at various events around the country acting as a MSUK Steward and always tries to find time to walk the venue and talk to all the volunteers.  If you see him at an event, please say “Hello” and let him know of any concerns or items you want to raise.

Chris would welcome any comments, thoughts, suggestions or criticisms you may have that might contribute to the future direction of the club.  Please email him at:  BMMC.chair@marshals.co.uk.

Award winners at North West Training Day

Welcome to the first newsletter of 2025. 

Earlier this month we were pleased to announce that Ian Ashcroft and Mike Sargeant will be taking over as National Secretary and National Treasurer, effective 1st February.

There is still time to apply for the National Chair role, please contact nat.secretary@marshals.co.uk  for an informal discussion about this key role.  

Marshal DBS checks 

Over the winter of 2021/22 Motorsport UK asked marshals in selected roles, where Safeguarding would be a particular issue, to apply for a Disclosure and Barring System (DBS) check if they lived in England, Wales or Northern Ireland (a separate scheme is in operation in Scotland). These roles included Kart marshalling, Drag Race marshalling and those marshalling in Speed Paddocks. DBS Certificates are valid for three years, and many are now coming to the end of their validity period. Motorsport UK is asking all impacted marshals to renew their certificates, and reminders are being sent out direct from Sport80 within 30 days of the expiry date of the current certificate.

If you are no longer marshalling in the impacted roles then Motorsport UK does not need you to renew your certificate and you need do nothing at this time.

If you are still marshalling in the impacted roles, and you do not receive a reminder within 30 days of the expiry date of your certificate, please contact the Safeguarding team, as your information may not be correct in Sport80.

If you are still marshalling in the impacted roles but you are now living in Scotland please contact Motorsport UK as you will need to apply for a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check instead.

Within a few days of receiving the reminder from Sport80 Motorsport UK will send you an invitation to renew, including a link to their chosen partner “Know Your People”. If you do not receive this second email within a week of the first, please contact the Safeguarding team, giving your Registration number and outlining the type of marshalling you do, so they can send you the renewal invitation with the appropriate link.

The Motorsport UK Safeguarding team can be contacted on safeguarding@motorsportuk.org.

Around the regions 

The South East region has kicked of the season with our second visit to the Jota factory to see the progress on the new WEC Cadillac that they are campaigning this year.  Details of the visit will be in the SE newsletter as our newsletter coordinator managed to get an interview with the team owner. 

Following on from this success South East region members have the chance during February and March 2025, to visit team lotus and a trip to Tech Mahindra who marshals have been supporting with testing activities in 2024.

These race teams have dedicated their time as a thank you for all the work that marshals do every weekend. 

The first meeting took place at Brands Hatch with the winter rally and marshals got to blow away the winter blues with a few incidents. 

Volunteering database 2025

The volunteering database has been populated with circuit and hill climb / sprint events.  Kart and some other events are being added as we receive the updated information – so please keep checking.

Note that for some events you are unable to apply directly through our system.  In these instances, please check the “external website” link which may take you to a form and / or event organisers webpage.  If instructions are still unclear, please contact regional volunteering coordinator and / or chief marshal for the event.

Furthermore, if you volunteer directly with organising club, please do not volunteer using the BMMC site – but just tick the “volunteered direct with organising club” box.  This means your application is not duplicated but also registers your use of our system for statistical purposes.

Rallying

As normal, rallying continues through the winter with the following planned in February :

• Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd                   Cambrian Road Rally    
• Saturday 8th     Snetterton Stages         Anglia Motor Sports Club           
• Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th                    Hexham Historic & John Robson Rallies
• Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th                    Taunton Road Rally       
• Sunday 9th                                           Riponian           
• Saturday 15th                                       Dishforth Targa & Classic Rally  
• Saturday 15th                                       Baldet Trophy   
• Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th                Valentine Road Rally     
• Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th                Moonbeam Rally           
• Sunday 16th                                         Border Access Knockhill Stages
• Sunday 16th                                         Bramley Targa              
• Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd                     Race Retro                               
• Saturday 22nd                                     Fivemiletown Rally                    
• Saturday 22nd                                     Bath Festival Targa       
• Sunday 23rd                                         The 2025 East Riding Stages Rally        
• Friday 28th – Saturday 1st March           Guernsey Rally

For more information please see https://brmc.org.uk/contacts

Motorsport UK Response to Natural Resources Wales – Thursday 16 January 2025

Motorsport UK has been informed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) that significant damage to the forestry estate incurred during Storm Darragh in December 2024.

As a result of this damage, NRW have cancelled the running of Rally North Wales on 29 March, and Severn Valley Stages, on 12 April, two events that were due to be held on their estate.

Motorsport UK have been informed by NRW that they have surveyed 20% of their estate with a drone, due to difficulty in obtaining safe access to their estate. Furthermore, they have not been able to access some forest blocks at all to properly assess the damage. NRW are expected to continue their surveying over the coming weeks.

Updates on future events beyond the end of April are subject to the conclusion of the surveying.

Hugh Chambers, Motorsport UK CEO commented, “Motorsport UK has worked continuously with NRW in recent years to ensure a long-term future for the sport on the estate. Whilst we are disappointed about the cancellations, we understand the position of NRW and have offered our assistance to them and their staff at this difficult time.”

Motorsport UK and Rally4Wales are committed to assisting affected Events, Clubs, Organising Teams and Championships in ensuring solutions can be found where possible.

Motorsport UK remains in contact with staff members within NRW and will update the motorsport community when further updates are available. All queries should be directed towards Rally4Wales and Motorsport UK with NRW resource focused on clearing the damage in as timely manner as possible.

Membership and Grading 

A big thank you to all who have renewed memberships by card payment from October 1st, 2024. This has kept Mike and Colin busy all through the Christmas period

New membership applications are still increasing  with 23 new applicants pending acceptance into the club. The database now shows 3045 fully paid-up members.

A reminder that digital Membership cards will be sent out at the end of January / beginning of February, once all of the direct Debit payments have been collected and the database updated.

Congratulations to the following members who have upgraded:

Alex Horne                    Race Grade 1

Gwyn Alford                  Race Grade 2

Jason Smith                  Race Grade 2

Ben Seaton                   Race Grade 3

Paul Simon                    Race Grade 3

Geoffrey Pearce             Race Grade 3

Anthony Brown             Race Grade 3

Christopher Davenport   Speed Grade 3

Joshua Walters              Off Track Grade 1

Training 

With the 2025 Training season underway it’s time to spruce up the overalls and get our learning heads on!

British Motorsport Trust (BMT) supported Marshals and Officials Training, 2025.

With the BMT grant aid now confirmed the following regions will be delivering marshals and Officials training as below:

Midlands                       Marshals Training now completed

North West                   8^th / 9^th February 2025 – Race Marshals training

South West                   22^nd February 2025 – Race Marshals training

South Midlands 2^nd March – Kart marshals training

BRMC                          Keep an eye on the BRMC website for details on their online and face to face training sessions throughout the year.

Sunday 16^th Feb   PFi Kart Circuit nr Grantham (NG32 2AY)   

For more information, please contact Clare Mills – clare@tvkc.co.uk

Please contact your Regional Training Coordinator for further details.

Al Page hopes to attend as many of these events as possible, so if you are attending and have any training related questions It would be great to chat.  Remember to keep a lookout for the publication of additional training dates in your, and other, regions and sign up early to avoid disappointment.

Don’t forget you can still keep your marshalling knowledge topped up over the winter season by visiting the Motorsport UK Learning Hub where online modules are available.  You can access this through your Sport 80 login.

Autosport International 9-12 January 2025 (Steve Hill) 

A big thankyou to those that set up and spent seemingly endless hours manning the stand.

Thursday was a day twiddling our thumbs, very quiet but we all caught up friends and acquaintances.

Friday more productive but a trade day is not a way to sign up new members although many Marshals visited us to chew the cud and give their views on their marshalling life. 

Saturday a busier day and most productive with many younger cadet potential Marshals which was great to see and hear their interests.

Sunday started quiet but mainly down to train services not running (John Edwards spent several happy hours hanging around in Wolverhampton for a train that never appeared)

Overall a show that needs reenergising, what happened to the 12 halls it used to be in.

A big thankyou to Ollie O’Donovan from The Shannon Group who kindly lent us his WRX Proton competition car and also Sam Clennal who delivered it from Darlington early on Wednesday and picked up at the end of the show.

We awarded two very deserving Marshals trophies at the show.

Jayne Poston being presented by Stuart Oliver British Truck driver.

Jane Beale being presented by Ollie O’Donovan World Rallycross driver

Happy Christmas from BMMC
As we enter the festive season and the end of 2024 we would like to wish all of our members and your families a very happy Christmas and thank you for your continued dedication as volunteers in supporting motorsport in its many forms, both in the UK and overseas.  

Whilst Christmas is a period of great joy for many, it can also bring challenges for others. Remember BMMC members have access to a counselling service provided by DAS. This is available 24hour on 01179342112 , policy number 100580442CCI. Other helpful services include Samaritans, MIND and Anxiety UK.
 
National AGM 
The 67th Annual General Meeting of the British Motorsports Marshals Club took take place this year on Sunday 1st December 2024. Huge thanks to TV presenter and Club Ambassador Paul O’Neill, who shared  his insights into racing and marshalling.
 
Minutes of the meeting have been posted on the BMMC website for your information 
 
Financial and Insurance
A quick review of the finances throughout 2024.
The Club’s financial position at Nov 2024 is a profit of £6,743 – which is slightly less than the planned profit of £9,021.
 
Membership income was £3,389 higher (6%) with c£2,000 non recoverable due to funding of Life Membership.
 
The loss of Tiga’s sponsorship and an issue with REIS was a blow to our finances, however with the support of our sponsors we are able to still fully subsidise overalls, with the Club contributing around £8,000. The club is very grateful to those organisations who are still supporting us, namely:-  Prodrive, NGK, CSCC, GGR Motorsport, Polyflor, Cataclean, and Ginetta.
 
Regalia sales more than doubled to £3,854 thanks to the efforts of Adrian Liddiment and his team of Regional Regalia Officers. Race income was down £2,160 which led to a loss on the Sprints of £1,030. Overall, other than Insurance costs, club costs were much lower than the previous year.
 
Going into 2025, not all of our sponsors have renewed as yet, and we could be looking at a further £10,000 contribution from the Club to ensure marshals’ overalls are fully sponsored.
Despite that, our overall finances remain in good health.
 
If anyone has any good ideas/contacts for new sponsorship, then please let Steve Woolfe nat.treasurer@marshals.co.uk. or Adrian Liddiment  nat.regalia@marshals.co.uk  know.
 
Rallying 
As normal, rallying continues through the winter 
 

• Sunday 13th   TW251 Knutsford & District Motor Club          
• Saturday 18th The MJG Engineering Brands Hatch Winter Stages
• Saturday 18th ME Rallysport Showground Stages   
• Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th            J.J. Brown Memorial Road Rally 2025           
• Thursday 23rd – Sunday 26th            Rally Monte Carlo       
• Friday 24th & Saturday 25th Far North Winter Classic Targa Rally
• Sunday 19th Albermarle Targa Rally Whickham & District Motor Club/Newcastle area 

For more information please see https://brmc.org.uk/contacts

Membership and Grading 
We have now hit the 3000 member mark, welcome to all those who have joined us in 2024.  
 
For those who renew via direct debit, a reminder these payments will be taken in early January. 
 
Congratulations to the following members who have upgraded:
 
·       Adrian Cross                          Off Track Grade 1
·       Charles Vye                            Race Grade 1
·       Martin Balaam                        Race Grade 1
·       Phillip Wright                          Race Grade 1
·       Mathew Petch                         Race Grade 1
·       Emma Hunter                         Race Grade 1
·       Steven Surridge                      Race Grade 2
·       Daren Buffey                          Speed Grade 1
·       Sue Allsopp                            Speed Grade 1
·       Keith Miller                             Speed Grade 3
 
Motorsport UK re-Registration – ( from Motorsport UK Marshal Bulletin) 
Please remember to re-register with Motorsport UK . Please see the instructions taken from Marshal News  
 
If you haven’t recently logged into your account please use https://www.motorsportuk.org/login/ go to MEMBERS LOGIN and then put your email address and click on Forgot Password? to be sent a reset password link. However if you do not receive it please check your Spam Folder first before emailing marshals@motosportuk.org and they will forward your request to Membership.
 
Once logged into the Motorsport Management platform, please go to Edit Profile and upload a headshot which will be used for your Marshal Registration card only and held on your record. 
Then go to Marshal Registrations. For each discipline held, please click on the green Current and then work through the questions. Once you have renewed, you will see that the date has changed from Valid To 31/12/2024 to Valid To 31/12/2025.
 
You will also receive an email with your digital card showing the Marshal Registration; this can also be requested by clicking on the three dots to the righthand side of the Registration Type and then use Resend Marshal Registration Email for each of the grades held.
 
Your 2025 Motorsport UK Marshal Registration card will be sent out to you later this month, however please remember that your 2024 cards are valid until 31/12/2024.
 
If you are marshalling with a colleague who does not have access to emails, and they would like a renewal form posted to them, with their permission do please  email  marshals@motorsportuk.org  and MUK will put a form in the post to them
 
Training 
Keep an eye out for your reginal training dates , these are being arranged by your Regional Training Officers currently in preparation for the 2025 season. 
 
Autosport International 9-12 January 2025
Why not start your 2025 off with a visit to Autosport International at the Birmingham NEC. Remember , as a Motorsport UK member, you can get £15 off your ticket by using the code Fifteen.

This year includes a celebration of 75 years of Formula 1 plus many other key attractions.  The BMMC stand will be in Hall 3, manned by our volunteers over the 4 days. 
 
Enjoy the festive break, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2025.
Please provide any feedback on the BMMC club news to nat.secretary@marshals.co.uk
John Edwards 
National Secretary 
07800 587391

National AGM 
The 67th Annual General Meeting of the British Motorsports Marshals Club will take place this year on Sunday 1st December 2024 commencing at 14.00 at Motorsport UK, Bicester Heritage Museum OX27 8FY, and, also as a virtual event. Our guest speaker will be TV presenter and Club Ambassador Paul O’Neill, and we look forward to his insights into racing and marshalling.
 
Minutes of the meeting will be posted on the BMMC website by 10^th December for your information 
 
Regional AGMs 
Since the last issue of Club news, the following AGMs have been held: 

• Southeast 31^st October 2024 at Hailwoods restaurant Brands Hatch and Zoom.
• Northeast 6^th November by Zoom 
• South Midlands 29^th October venue Zoom 
• Northern Ireland 7th November 
• Rally 29^th October Zoom 

We welcome Colin Robinson as the new Regional Chair for Northern Ireland, Ian Whiting as the new Regional Chair for South Midlands, and ratification of Ang Garbutt as the new Regional Chair for North East. Our thanks go to Robert Coursey and Chris Whitlock for their service as Regional Chairs.  
Minutes of the regional AGMs will be posted on the regional websites in the near future. 
A number of members have volunteered for new committee roles within the regions. For details, please contact your regional secretary for further information. 

BMMC signs Armed Forces Covenant 

We are proud to announce our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community through the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant which took place on November 10, 2024, at Trac Môn, Anglesey, before the start of the 10th Mission Motorsport Race of Remembrance.

The signing was conducted by Group Captain G J J Currie OBE ADC MA RAF on behalf of the Armed Forces, and BMMC National Secretary John Edwards representing the British Motorsports Marshals Club. 

The Mission Motorsport Race of Remembrance, held annually at Trac Môn, Anglesey, provides a fitting setting for this commitment, honouring the service and sacrifice of military personnel. The BMMC looks forward to establishing this formal pledge, further strengthening its ties with those who have dedicated their lives to serving the United Kingdom.

Financial and Insurance
The finances of the Club remain healthy and year to date we have a surplus of just over £3,000.

Steve Woolfe (Treasurer) is in the process, along with Adrian Liddiment National Regalia Officer, renewing our sponsorship deals. To date, Ginetta, CSCC and Cataclean have committed to 2025. Prodrive, Clapham North and NGK are still considering their budgets for 2025. Adrian has a list of potential new sponsors that he will be contacting soon.

If anyone has any good ideas/contacts for new sponsorship, then please let Steve know at nat.treasurer@marshals.co.uk. 
Should anyone be interested in the Treasurer’s role (and you needn’t be an accountant as we have an exceptional bookkeeper who does most of the work), please contact Steve Woolfe for a chat.

Around the regions.
Whilst the Race, Speed and Kart discipline season is just about over, the Rally discipline continues on with a number of high-profile events still to go before the year is out.  If you fancy a go at something different rather than putting your feet up, contact the BRMC (recruitment@brmc.org.uk) and they will try to arrange for you to attend an event.  There is a rally marshals Taster Day at Donington Park on the 1^st of December if you wish to ‘try before you buy’, again contact the email address for further information.

December 2024
·       1st                    Northside Truck & Van Dukeries Rally    
·       7th                   Grizedale Stages Rally  
·       7th                   Phil Collings Memorial South Down Stages         
·       7th & 8th           The Fox Road Rally                   
·       14th & 15th       The Preston      
·       29th                  Rixy Stages      
·       29th                  West Wales Spares Jaffa Stages           

For more information, please see https://brmc.org.uk/contacts

Membership and Grading 
Welcome to our new members (to date) in November by region:
Midlands 2, North East 6, North West 6, South East 6 , South Mids 2

Membership now stands at 2996; only another 4 and we hit the 3000 mark! 

Congratulations to the following members who have upgraded:
·       Mark Spafford                            Race Grade 1
·       Brandon Green                          Race Grade 1
·       Darran Connolly                         Race Grade 1
·       Leslie Joyce                               Race Grade 3
·       Samantha Goodge                     Race Grade 3
·       Stuart Germon                           Race Grade 1
·       John Gunner                              Race Grade 1
·       Phillip Beeson                            Speed Grade 1

Motorsport UK re-Registration – (from Motorsport UK Marshal Bulletin) 
Please remember to re-register with Motorsport UK. Please see the instructions taken from Marshal News  

If you haven’t recently logged into your account, please 
use https://www.motorsportuk.org/login/ go to MEMBERS LOGIN and then put your email address and click on Forgot Password? to be sent a reset password link. However if you do not receive it please check your Spam Folder first before emailing marshals@motosportuk.org and they will forward your request to Membership.

Once logged into the Motorsport Management platform, please go to Edit Profile and upload a headshot which will be used for your Marshal Registration card only and held on your record. 
Then go to Marshal Registrations. For each discipline held, please click on the green Current and then work through the questions. Once you have renewed, you will see that the date has changed from Valid To 31/12/2024 to Valid To 31/12/2025.

You will also receive an email with your digital card showing the Marshal Registration; this can also be requested by clicking on the three dots to the righthand side of the Registration Type and then use Resend Marshal Registration Email for each of the grades held.

Your 2025 Motorsport UK Marshal Registration card will be sent out to you later this month, however please remember that your 2024 cards are valid until 31/12/2024.

If you are marshalling with a colleague who does not have access to emails, and they would like a renewal form posted to them, with their permission do please  email  marshals@motorsportuk.org  and MUK will put a form in the post to them


Regalia

This week is Orange becomes the new Black! week, please see the email issued via Mailchimp or the BMMC Facebook page for information on your regalia discount. 

Now is the ideal time to order these Lille always get a large influx of orders early in the year and to assist managing that demand get your orders in early? Please contact https://www.marshals.co.uk/regalia/regalia-how-to-order

Additionally, we always look for ideas for new items and would love to hear your suggestions. Feel free to email us at nat.regalia@marshals.co.uk with your ideas.

Training 
Your Regional Training Coordinators are already hard at work devising their training plans for 2025.  Please keep a lookout for the publication of training dates in your, and other, regions and sign up early to avoid disappointment.

Whilst the Race, Speed and Kart discipline season is just about over, the Rally discipline continues on with a number of high-profile events still to go before the year is out.  If you fancy a go at something different rather than putting your feet up, contact the BRMC (recruitment@brmc.org.uk) and they will try to arrange for you to attend an event.  They do have a rally marshals Taster Day at Donington Park on the 1^st of December if you wish to ‘try before you buy’, again contact the email address above for further information.

Don’t forget, Motorsport UK have a wide range of online training modules you can revisit at any time to refresh your knowledge – just visit their Learning Hub for the full list and away you go.

From Motorsport UK – Marshal Bulletin:
Please note, not all Marshal Training Modules are currently available to Trainers for their Marshal Training Sessions. Motorsport UK are currently working to complete the full set of modules; in the meantime, they are happy for individual Motorsport UK Trainers to give training in this instance to the level required. Motorsport UK have confirmed they will not stop individuals from upgrading if those modules are not available to those wishing to upgrade. 

The following are currently unavailable:

• Kart                  03A  Incident and Safety Management
• Race                02A  Incident Response (and used for Off Track)
• Race                02C   Advanced Flag
• Off Track          02C   Advanced Off Track
• Rally                 03A   Incident and Safety Management
• Rally                 03D   Advanced Radio

British Grand Prix 2025
Finally, for those interested in marshalling at the British grand Prix in 2025, remember to get your application form submitted 
 
Please provide any feedback on the BMMC club news to nat.secretary@marshals.co.uk

The British Motorsports Marshals Club (BMMC) is proud to announce its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community through the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant. This momentous event took place on November 10, 2024, at Trac Môn, Anglesey, before the start of the 10th Mission Motorsport Race of Remembrance.

The signing was conducted by Group Captain G J J Currie OBE ADC MA RAF on behalf of the Armed Forces, and BMMC National Secretary John Edwards representing the British Motorsports Marshals Club. By signing the Covenant, the BMMC joins Mission Automotive and other organizations in recognizing the unique challenges faced by those who serve or have served in the military and ensuring they and their families are treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge made across the United Kingdom, acknowledging the contributions and sacrifices of the Armed Forces community. It affirms that military personnel, whether Regular or Reserve, past or present, and their families should not face disadvantage in accessing public or commercial services. In addition, special consideration is extended to those who have been injured or bereaved through their service.

John Edwards, BMMC National Secretary, commented, “We are honoured to support our service personnel by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. Our members hold deep respect for the dedication and sacrifices of the Armed Forces, and we are committed to upholding the values of fairness and respect toward those who have served our nation.”

The Mission Motorsport Race of Remembrance, held annually at Trac Môn, Anglesey, provides a fitting setting for this commitment, honouring the service and sacrifice of military personnel. The BMMC looks forward to establishing this formal pledge, further strengthening its ties with those who have dedicated their lives to serving the United Kingdom.

For more information, please contact:

• British Motorsports Marshals Club Website: www.marshals.co.uk
• Mission Automotive Website: https://www.missionautomotive.org/
• Race of Remembrance Website: https://www.raceofremembrance.com/

The 67th Annual General Meeting of the British Motorsports Marshals’ Club will take place this year on Sunday 1st December 2024 commencing at 14.00 at Motorsport UK, Bicester Heritage Museum OX27 8FY, and also as a virtual event.

Anyone wishing to attend should email nat.secretary@marshals.co.uk, no later than Friday 24th November 2024, advising in person or virtually in your response.

Reports from Directors (i.e., Regional Chairs and Special Interest Group Chairs) and Functional coordinators will be contained in an Annual Report published on the BMMC website after the AGM and will be available to all members.

Agenda
1 Attendance and Apologies
2 Minutes of Previous AGM
To agree the minutes of the 66th AGM of the BMMC Ltd dated December 3rd, 2023; available to view on the BMMC website
https://www.marshals.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-AGM-pack-1.pdf
Note: The proposer and seconder must have attended the 66th AGM
3 Matters Arising
4 Chair / Secretary Report – John Edwards
5 Treasurer’s Report – Steve Woolfe
5.1 Approval of Accounts
https://www.marshals.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2023-Accounts-DRAFT.pdf
6 Election of Officers
6.1 National Chair
6.2 Introduction of new Regional Chairs post Regional AGMs
7 Reappointment of Azets as Auditors
8 Guest Speaker
9 Annual awards
BMMC Marshal of the Year – Barrie Williams Trophy
BMMC New Marshal of the Year – John Nicol Trophy
BMMC Cadet Marshal of the Year – David Leslie Trophy
10 Any Other Business
11 Close