Club gossip
BMMC Chair – FINAL REMINDER
Further to the Club update dated 11th March 2024, we are looking to appoint a new Chair to lead the club into the 2024 season and beyond. The National Chair is a key role within the club, working with the Board of Directors to set the strategy for growth and development of the Club. The Chair represents BMMC in a number of stakeholder forums, including working closely with Motorsport UK and the organising clubs. This is a great opportunity for a member to get involved with how our club is run.
The role description for the National Chair role can be found here https://bit.ly/3IAImP6.
Should any member wish to stand for election to the role of National Chair please submit the above information by email to nat.secretary@marshals.co.ukby 30th April at 5 pm.
North East Chair
We are also looking to recruit a new Chair to lead the North East region, to support the development and growth of marshalling in the North East and Scotland. A Zoom meeting was held with representatives of the North East and some of the Directors on 16th April – thank you to all those who attended.
Should any member be interested in this role please contact nat.secretary@marshals.co.uk
Personal Details
We have had a number of membership packs returned due to incorrect addresses, and a number of emails that have returned as undelivered. Just a reminder that you can update your personal details in the volunteering portal, after logging in, click on the person icon to bring up your account details, to ensure we can communicate key information to you.
You can also update your subscriptions to receive newsletters etc . If you have unsubscribed from Mailchimp and wish to resubscribe please use the link below https://bit.ly/3JweMuA
Around the regions.
Despite typically British weather, Howards Day welcomed participants back to Castle Combe. The event featured healthy grids across all the championships and thrilling racing, including two 500 Owners Club races showcasing these historic and rare cars at impressive speeds.
At the Goodwood Members Meeting attendees fondly remembered Barry Yeatman, a revered figure at Goodwood who sadly passed away just before Christmas. Marshals paid tribute to him with a traditional afternoon tea during the weekend, where he was fondly remembered by all who knew him.
Castle Combe bid farewell to Mike Devine, who concluded over 60 years of marshalling by attending his final meeting. He received a commemorative trophy and winner’s champagne from Marcus Pye and Castle Combe Marshals Coordinator Richard Beard. Mike, although having retired multiple times before, emphasises that this time, he’s truly stepping away though you may still spot him in the paddocks and spectator areas of Thruxton, Castle Combe, and Gurston Down.
The first event of 2024 at Oulton Park was the season opener for the British GT championship along with the support races at Easter. Full grids, changeable weather conditions and numerous incidents led to all the marshals being tested and allowed them to put their training to good use. A good way to blow away the winter cobwebs, followed by the Fun Cup two weeks later.
In addition, some members ventured out on to various rally stages in the North West to get their motorsport fix, with excellent feedback in terms of organisation, driving and marshal activities.
Recruitment
Taster days for Brands Hatch have taken place for the last 2 meetings with 13 participants having taken part. Well done to Mark and the team and for the marshals for supporting these days.
The British GT meeting at Oulton Park saw the recruitment tent out for the first time this year, with 53 potential new recruits signed up – a great weekend considering the poor weather on Easter Monday.
Membership and Grading
We are pleased to welcome 72 new members to date in April, including 3 cadets and 6 student members.
We are pleased to advise that we have passed our 10,000th member since BMMC’s inception. Congratulations to Patricia Banks from Widnes who holds this very important membership number.
Bedford Auto drome Marshal Prize Every year we carry out a draw for those marshals who have renewed their membership before 31st January Congratulations to Terry Defrond who has won this year’s prize for a day out at Bedford Autodrome.
Regalia
Get them whilst you can!
Our new limited edition BMMC Shield 3D Cast Metal Keyrings are now available from your Regional Regalia or from National Regalia by post. Choose from either Antique Copper or Antique Silver. At only £3.75 each why not get one for your car key and one for the house keys. Get them quick as they won’t be around for long.
Great to see so many supporting our chosen charity this year. The Mission Motorsport patches are selling out fast. Have you got yours yet! Remember, all proceeds go directly to Mission Motorsport.
A full range of club badges, sticker and headwear as well as the new regional patches are available from your Regional Regalia Coordinators or you can drop an email to the National Regalia Coordinator with your requirements and he will be happy to pop in the post to you.
Finally, have you visited the club merchandise eShop yet https://shops.fabryx.co.uk/collections/british-motorsports-marshals-club with over 40 items of merchandise to choose from. As we immerse ourselves into the peak of the season why not treat yourself to a new tee-shirt or fashionable hat?
Just in case you needed more incentive from now until the June you can get a 10% by just use code BMMCSUMMER-10 at the checkout.
Training
Electric vehicles
Planning for EV webinar in June is underway and if you wish to register please contact se.training@marshals.co.uk This handy webinar uses material used to train the rescue teams in safely operating around Electric vehicles and dispel some myths as well!
Other news
On 27th April we are supporting the first ever Darlington Motorsport Day, a showcase of all things motorsport! The Darlington Motorsport Day is a family day where you can pop down, look at / interact with the displays watch some live demonstrations, talk to our officials and learn more about what our region has to offer for the lover of everything motorsport, some of you may be surprised to find out what’s just around the corner. If you have a few hours spare to help volunteer at this event please contact craig.hope@btopenworld.com
Similarly, we have been asked to support the Krazy Races team in 2024 – some new venues included this year too. Each event is looking for a minimum of 3 volunteers per event. Lunch voucher and drinks will be available to the volunteers – timings are roughly 9am – 4pm.
Full details will be provided closer to each event to those who have volunteered. For more info visit www.krazyraces.co.uk . Contact Nadine Lewis to volunteer at nadinelewis5@yahoo.co.uk
Events are:
26 May – Shrewsbury SY1 1JA
16 June – Warrington WA1 2QW – NEW this year
14 July – Crewe CW1 3LH
28 July – Stockport SK1 1SP
1 September – Wolverhampton WV1 1TX
15 September – Lincoln LN2 1HY – NEW this year
Charity news
A few members from the South East region are taking part in the Race! Ride! Run! Brands Hatch Charity Day, Bank Holiday Monday 27th May. www.chartwellcancertrust.co.uk If you fancy taking part, please visit the website and support these cancer charities.
BRDC Charity.
The Charity exists to help those in the motorsport industry (drivers, mechanics, marshals, officials etc) who are experiencing financial difficulties. Potential claimants are visited by the Charity’s facilitator to discuss needs which may be financial or emotional. We make either financial grants or signpost to other organisations that may help the individual. This is a very confidential service and recipients are known only to the 3 Trustees, myself and the facilitator.
If anyone wishes to discuss this further, then call Steve Woolfe National Treasurer on 07739332217.
Financial and Insurance
Finances to March 2024.
The Club has made a small surplus to March 2024 and cash balances remain positive.
There has been a slightly disappointing response to the club’s Sprint in May, although we are hoping for a late surge in entries!
We are yet to receive all our training income from the British Motorsport Trust but we am not expecting a huge shortfall of income ( NOTE – we are only granted 75% of our requested training costs.)
Volunteering Abroad.
We are getting a few requests to marshal abroad, it is appropriate to let you know the basic insurance requirements. A more detailed narrative can be found on our web site at https://www.marshals.co.uk/volunteering-information/volunteering-abroad/
This blog deals with Insurance cover and Emergency Repatriation only.
Insurances.
The BMMC policy provides 100% cover for members marshalling/officiating at “approved” non-Motorsport UK events. This is taken to mean events at properly licensed circuits or venues and includes overseas. As most of the applications are to GP/Le Mans etc then these venues will obviously be regarded as approved.
Details of the benefits in the unfortunate case of a claim needing to be made are at https://www.marshals.co.uk/marshalling/bmmc-personal-accident-insurance/
NOTE: It is very important to ensure that you take out your own travel insurance as our policy does not cover such as delays, lost luggage, cancellations etc.
Emergency Repatriation.
Our insurance covers repatriation should there be a need, however we need the following information so that we can issue your certificate of insurance.
- Name and address as per your passport.
- Payment of £20 to our account at Lloyds Bank – Sort Code 40-39-11 Account No – 71061968
- Our account name is British Motorsports Marshals Club.
- Your BMMC Membership number.
Please provide any feedback on the BMMC monthly blog to nat.secretary@marshals.co.uk
John Edwards
National Secretary
07800 587391