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The Monoposto Racing Club recently has made a donation to the the British Motorsports Marshals’ Club (BMMC) of £1500 in recognition of its 60^thAnniversary to support funding for marshals training equipment.

BMMC Midlands Regional Chair Jayne Poston who received the cheque on behalf of the club said: “It was an honour to be asked to receive this very generous and thoughtful donation from the Monoposto Racing Club on behalf of the BMMC.

“Training is a vital element of our preparation to ensure the 2,400+ volunteer BMMC marshals that work tirelessly all year round are ready to execute their duties to the best of their ability and skills.”

David Cox, President of the Monoposto Racing Club, said “Our Club has always admired, respected and valued the tremendous contribution that the volunteer marshals make to British motor sport and wanted to honour and support that during our 60th Anniversary Year in 2018.
 
“To that end we launched a fundraising campaign, to provide financial assistance for the training function within the British Motorsport Marshals Club and were delighted that our members’ generosity enabled us to donate this cheque for £1500. The presentation was made on a day when we had 60 cars entered on two grids, for the first round of our Championship at Donington Park.”

Four well known media commentators and journalists have accepted invitations to become BMMC Brand Ambassadors in recognition for their support for our hard working 2,400+ volunteers.

Former British Touring Car Championship driver turned ITV4 commentator, Paul O’Neill, now part of a dynamic presentation trio alongside Steve Rider and Tim Harvey is the first of the fab four to be unveiled.

Paul currently spearheads the delivery of the channel’s BTCC social media strategy on race weekends and his support for marshals recently led to a deluge of request for taster days from potential new members.

Paul said: “It is an honour and a great privilege to be asked to become a Brand Ambassador for the BMMC.  I see first-hand through ITV4’s great coverage of the BTCC and its support races how hard the girls and boys of the British Motorsports Marshals’ Club work.”

Joining him is John Hindhaugh, commentator, broadcaster and the voice of the Radio Le Mans and IMSA radio and can also be heard on motorsport commentary on ITV, Motors TV, Mobil 1 The Grid, XM Satellite Radio and the video game Need For Speed: Pro Street. 

John said: “I’m delighted to have been invited to become a BMMC Brand Ambassador, we all value the thousands of hours the guys and girls put in week after week to help us enjoy our racing.”

Next up is Mark Werrell who is one of the UK’s top motorsport commentators, providing informative, energetic & enthusiastic commentary at most major racing circuits & venues throughout the UK.

Mark first started his involvement in motorsport as a volunteer marshal at his local circuit Cadwell Park during the 1980’s. As a member of the British Motorsport Marshals’ Club (BMMC) he progressed through the grading scheme from Trainee, Course, Fire & Flag Marshal to the grade Incident Officer.  

He recently raced for GMP Developments at the Silverstone C1 24hr event and is the main TV commentator for the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series as well as providing circuit commentary for the likes of the British GT/British F3 Championship, BTCC, DTM, Blancpain Endurance Series and many other key events.

Mark said: “As somebody that started my motorsport career as a BMMC Marshal, I always have and continue to remain passionate about British marshals, the BMMC and the vital role that all volunteers play in Motorsport UK recognised events, whether it be karting, rallying, speed events or circuit racing.
 
“I’m delighted and honoured to become a Brand Ambassador for the BMMC and relish the opportunity to represent and promote the club and also work with its members and my fellow Brand Ambassadors.”

Completing the line-up is Chris Hartley who has been a motorsport commentator for over twenty years now – having first been persuaded by an old racing pal to pick up the mic at Little Rissington, back when he was still competing in karts. 

For the past few years he’s been privileged to be part of David Addison’s commentary team for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the BTCC’s lead circuit commentator taking over from the great Ian Titchmarsh, and his production company – Chris Hartley Media – produce and edit motorsport programmes for championships like the Fun Cup, Britcar and TCR UK.

Chris said: “Quite simply, without marshals, the rest of us wouldn’t be able to have all of the fun we have watching and being involved in racing. They give up their own time and considerable expertise to be the eyes and ears of the officials and competitors – keeping everyone safe and events running smoothly. And they do it with a smile on their faces. 
 
“Come rain or shine, you can always rely on the marshals to be there. But with more and more race meetings and only a finite number of volunteers, we need to support our existing marshals and get more people involved. I’m therefore delighted to have been asked to support the excellent work of the BMMC.”

BMMC National Chair Nadine Lewis said: “The help and support we receive as a club in recognising the hard work of our BMMC members form all four of these guys is very much appreciated and we hope that by inviting them to become Brand Ambassadors they now feel part of our very special Orange Family.”

The British Motorsports Marshals’ Club has announced a trio of new and updated discounts for its members.

Dread, which hasestablished itself as a leading supplier of corporate, promotional, team clothing and merchandising solutions throughout Europe, is offering marshals a 10% discount on all items from its expansive range of products. This offer is available either on track or online (http://dread.cc) via a unique BMMC discount code.

New for this season Flare Audio (https://www.flareaudio.com), manufacturers of ear protectors and earphones to over 170 countries, are offering a 25% discount on its Isolate ear protectors, Sleeep plugs and replacement foams. 

The Isolates are comfy to wear and come with 3 different sizes of ear foams to fit different ears, while the Isolate Minis have smaller bodies for people with smaller ears. Unlike disposable foam ear plugs Isolates effectively just turn down the volume without distorting sound. and not distorting the music

The Isolates are also currently on offer of buy one get one free too so is a great opportunity for marshals to get them at a very reduced rate.

Finally, Nimbus Motorsport (https://www.nimbusmotorsport.com) Nimbus Motorsport are one of Europe’s leading suppliers of thermal control products, motorsport lubricants and fuels, specialist gloves and equipment for the motor racing industry, have extendedtheir discounts for marshals on Ringers Gloves safety and extrication products used by many BMMC members.

Full details of the discounted prices that are available exclusively for members can be found via the BMMC website.

Speaking on behalf of the BMMC, Chair Nadine Lewis said: “We are extremely grateful to Dread, Flare Audio and Nimbus Motorsport for providing these generous discounts to our members.
 
“The BMMC has over 2,400 volunteer marshals who dedicate many hours in all weathers to their hobby free of charge week in week out and any offers that help them fund the equipment they need to make life more bearable or safe trackside is welcome.”

Acespeed Historic Motorsport owner Andy Harrison has joined the ranks as a BMMC Brand Ambassador in recognition of his many years of service to the sport.

Andy’s journey started as a marshal at Harewood Hillclimb as a 13 year old which led him to join BARC and also Shipley and District Motor Club, where he continued to marshal on club autotests and road/stage rallies until he got his driving licence which led to him competing.

His first experience of the good work marshals undertake was at Mallory Park in 2007 when after an almighty race accident he was tended so well by the circuit marshals and medical team who removed him from a very badly damaged car and took him safely to the medical centre.

Andy is now a sponsor at the Harewood Hillclimb, the place where all this started and regularly attends events at the hill while he is also proudly a Goodwood regular at all 3 events; the Members Meeting, Festival of Speed and the Revival.

Andy Harrison said: “As Barrie Whizzo Williams team mate and close friend I was delighted and very honoured to be invited to be a Brand Ambassador to the BMMC, a role I happily and proudly accept. 

The job marshals do at circuits, rallies and club motorsport is incredible when you think this is all voluntary and enables events to take place smoothly and efficiently and I for one never ever forget to acknowledge track side officials when I’m on cool down lap.”

BMMC National Chair Nadine Lewis said: “It’s a great pleasure to welcome Andy as a BMMC Brand Ambassador and our extended Orange Family! Andy has a long and proud history in the sport and will undoubtedly be a strong vocal supporter of the BMMC and its members.”

The British Motorsports Marshals’ Club has announced the winner of the David Leslie Trophy for 2018 is North West cadet Harry Mitchell.

The David Leslie trophy was established in memory of this multi -talented racing driver tragically killed in a plane crash in 2008. The trophy is one of David Leslie’s racing helmets donated to the club by his family. It is awarded to a cadet marshal for outstanding performance of duties.

 
In his nomination North West Chair Mike Broadbent also cited that Harry was aquiet lad during his first season, but his true personality emerged in 2018. He is “ever ready” to do any and all of the tasks asked of him, is a willing and enthusiastic cadet and a worthy winner.

The David Leslie Trophy was also sponsored this year for the first time by Cataclean who are providing an exclusive British Motorsport Marshals Club (BMMC) racing jacket recognising Bill’s achievements, a British Touring Car Championship official merchandise kit as worn by the Rowbottom team and a free set of BMMC overalls.
 
Speaking on behalf of the BMMC, Chair Nadine Lewis said: “It’s great to recognise and reward young marshals who are at the start of what promises to be a long and enjoyable career as a motorsports volunteer and Harry certainly fits that bill.

“I’m delighted to have been able to present Harry with the David Leslie Trophy and look forward to watching him develop in the years to come.”

Harry said: “I was really surprised and shocked to learn I had been nominated for this award but am delighted and honoured to receive it.”

Two former Formula 1 drivers and Le Mans 24 Hour winners are the latest BMMC Brand Ambassadors to be announced with Mark Blundell and Derek Warwick the latest to be announced by the club.

For more than three decades Mark Blundell has honed his expertise in the upper echelons of elite global sport, firstly as an athlete, then TV pundit and in more recent years, as an extremely successful talent manager.

Mark started his sporting career at just 14, and for nearly twenty years he competed at the very top of world motorsport, including Formula One, IndyCar and World Rally. His wins even include the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans Endurance Race. 

Mark returns to competitive action this weekend in his maiden Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season in 2019 driving an Audi S3 saloon for Trade Price Cars Racing.

Mark said: “I’m delighted to have been invited to become a BMMC Brand Ambassador, the men and women who volunteer trackside week in week out deserve our gratitude and support for the many hours they put in so we can all go racing.”

Derek Warwick also boasts an impressive CV as a veteran of 147 Grand Prix and a Le Mans 24 Hour winner in 1992. Derek has recently stepped down as President of the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) at Silverstone, he is currently a Vice President of the Club.

Derek is also a FIA Formula 1 Drivers Steward at Grand Prix’s and will be fulfilling that role next weekend for the 1,000 Grand Prix in China, while he also previously competed in BTCC in 1995 and 1998 with Alfa Romeo and Vauxhall respectively.

Derek said: “It really is an honour to be invited to become a BMMC Brand Ambassador and to help support the work of marshals and raise awareness of the dedication of so many. They really are the unsung heroes of motorsport, without them it’s very simple? There would be NO motorsport.”

BMMC National Chair Nadine Lewis said: “We’re delighted to welcome both Mark and Derek to growing team of BMMC Brand Ambassadors and the Orange Family! I’m sure in both their respective roles they will help raise the profile of the BMMC and the work our 2,400+ volunteer marshals do week in week out.”

Race driver, Marshal and BMMC Brand Ambassador Dawn Boyd is planning a unique and innovative way to recognise and promote the work of the 2,400 plus volunteers who are vital to motorsports safety.

Dawn, who has been racing for 14 years and is also herself a keen marshal, is competing this season in the BRSCC Teekay Couplings Production GTI Championship.  Dawn will race all 13 rounds in her Team B42’s Motorsport Golf GTi Mk5 prepared with an orange colour scheme with BMMC logos and characters adorning the car. Look out for the B42’s Motorsport/BMMC team clothing as well.

Dawn is looking forward to meeting marshals on duty at Silverstone this coming weekend (7th April 2019) for the first two rounds of the championship. Marshals who visit Dawn in the paddock this weekend will be welcomed with a hot drink and possibly even a goody bag of items donated by her commercial sponsors and supporters, just look for the orange windsock and chequered flag flying.

Speaking about her unique idea to promote BMMC Dawn said: “Marshals are the unsung heroes of motorsport, out in all weathers.  I’m a marshal too and have asked supporters to offer donations, not for me, but for marshals.  Donated items, like snacks, should be available at marshals sign on, but following some more valuable and exclusive donations, the only fair way to share them is in prize draws. 

“So, I’ve created an exclusive BMMC “Peekaboo” sticker for sale (that I hope all drivers will buy for their race car) and any Marshal who buys a sticker will also be entered into ALL the B42’s prize draws ALL YEAR!  Any profits from the stickers goes back into organising donations for the Orange Family, see dawnontrack.co.uk for more details”

BMMC Chair Nadine Lewis said: “We’re delighted with the support and brand awareness Dawn’s kind gesture will achieve for the BMMC and I’m sure all of the marshals at Silverstone this weekend will enjoy a welcome hot drink while hoping Dawn has a successful day on the track.”

Teekay Couplings Production GTi Championship dates

7th April 2019

Round 1&2 Silverstone

5th May 2019

Round 3 & 4 – Croft

8th & 9th June 2019

Rounds 5, 6 & 7 – Anglesey

30th June 2019

Round 8 & 9 – Snetterton

18th August 2019

Round 10 & 11 – Donington Park

At its annual awards dinner dance evening the Classic Touring Cars Racing Club (CTCRC) raised a magnificent £1195 which was donated to the British Motorsports Marshals’ Club (BMMC) in recognition of the marshals support for the sport.

BMMC National Chair Nadine Lewis welcomed the very kind and generous donation and said: “I was delighted to receive this very generous donation from Stuart Caie and the members of CTCRC on behalf of the BMMC. 

“It is a very kind gesture and will be much appreciated by all the 2,400 volunteer BMMC marshals that work tirelessly all year round in rain and shine to play their part to ensure our sport is enjoyed as safely as possible at every level.”

CTCRC Vice Chair Stuart Caie added: “The club recognises just how important our friends in the BMMC are. They enable us to enjoy our sport in a safe controlled environment, Marshalls up and down the country, give up time and money so we can race and as a club, we wanted to take a moment to say thank you.

“We raise funds each year at our awards evening and look forward to giving the next donation at the 2020 Autosport awards.”