The BARC North West season opener at Oulton Park provided the opportunity for BMMC Chair Nadine Lewis to present two more Brand Ambassadors with their official insignia.
Helen Allen has over 20 years’ experience as a racing driver and is currently the Vice Chair and Secretary of the British Women Racing Drivers’ Club, while Ben Kasperczak is competing in his second year in the Junior Saloon Car Championship.
Speaking after receiving her insignia Helen Allen said: “The BMMC means a lot to me because without them I wouldn’t be able to have so much fun and be so well looked after when things don’t go quite the way they should.
Ben Kasperczak added: “I feel proud to be part of the BMMC by becoming a Brand Ambassador, I look forward to working with the team of members and marshals of the BMMC that help to keep us safe on the circuit!”
BMMC National Chair Nadine Lewis said: “We’re delighted to welcome Helen and Ben into the ranks 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.”
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.”
The British Motorsports Marshals’ Club has announced the winner of the inaugural Barrie “Whizzo” Williams BMMC Racing Marshal of the Year Trophy is North West marshal and Regional training co-ordinator Bill Gray.
This year, the BMMC Racing Marshal of the Year Trophy honours a prolific racing driver and Club President Barrie “Whizzo” Williams who retired after a 60-year career in 2018 before passing away after a fall.
A much-respected Post Chief and an Examining Speed Marshal, Bill has also been Chief Marshal for Liverpool Motor Club at Aintree for many years.
In his nomination North West Chair Mike Broadbent also cited Bill’s work as North West training co-ordinator where he has enhanced our training with his quietly efficient way of working, and his proven organisation skills.
It is also worth noting Bill narrowly missed out on the accolade of Motorsport UK Marshal of the Year.
The inaugural Barrie Williams 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: “Bill is a very deserving winner of the inaugural Barrie Williams Trophy and a much-respected marshal.
“His quietly spoken manner belies his unflappable, calm and pragmatic approach to the various roles he undertakes, and I am delighted Bill has been recognised for his many years of service and sterling work.”
Speaking after Cataclean Sales Manager Zach Baigent presented him with the Barrie Williams Trophy, Bill said: “I am extremely proud to be the inaugural winner of the Barrie Williams Trophy as the BMMC Marshal of the Year and thank the North West Committee and National Council for the award.
“The award reflects the training, mentoring and support from the members of the Orange Family that I’ve had during my time as a marshal.”
British GT4 driver Martin Plowman was the first of the new BMMC Brand Ambassadors to receive their official insignia when he attended the North West marshals training weekend at Oulton Park this month.
Martin, who will race again with team mate Kelvin Fletcher this season, has joined Beechdean AMR in a fully liveried ‘Imagine Cruising’ GT4 Aston Martin, received his insignia from BMMC Chair Nadine Lewis.
Martin has a wealth of experience spanning over two decades and has shown himself to be an incredibly successful racing driver, becoming both a Le Mans class winner in LMP2 and WEC World Champion in 2013.
On accepting his invitation to become a Brand Ambassador for BMMC Martin said: “I was delighted to be invited to become a Brand Ambassador, marshals the length and breadth of the UK do a fantastic job supporting motorsport at all levels. While I hope not to meet too many of them on the side of the track this season, I’m extremely grateful for their support when needed!”
BMMC National Chair Nadine Lewis said: “We’re pleased that Martin accepted our invitation and look forward to working with him to help raise the profile of the club, especially within the British GT circles. We wish him and Kelvin a successful season ahead with their new Beechdean AMR team.”