February Club News

Chair’s Chat 
January and February bring with them the main events in the 2026 training season. Our club along with BARC, Castle Combe, Brands Hatch and many other organisations are providing training sessions to cover the marshals’ pathway modules. I hope everyone is taking advantage of these sessions to ensure their skills are up to date and that they are ready for the new season on the hills, rally and the circuits. It doesn’t matter for which disciplines you volunteer, it is essential you attend the training to ensure you enjoy a safe, effective role.  Meanwhile the rally clubs continue to run their events along with their training sessions through all weathers and all seasons. Again, I hope that you are supporting them as much as possible.

We are also in the middle of our renewal period.  As of the end of December, we had a record 3307 registered members. As is usual we would encourage everyone to ensure they have renewed their membership before the start of the season, not only with BMMC but also with MSUK. It is essential that you renew your MSUK registration in order to take advantage of their insurance cover whilst at events. No MSUK registration means no MSUK insurance cover.  Also, if you get your renewal in before the closing date of the end of March you will be entered for the fantastic prize of a day at Jonathan Palmer’s Bedford driving facility kindly donated by MSVR.

Over the past few weeks, we have been busy reviewing the Articles of Association and the club rules. We ran an EGM for all members to approve the changes to the Articles but unfortunately there were insufficient attendees to form a quorum. This meant that we could not carry out a vote on the changes. We did however discuss the proposed changes to the Articles with all on the ZOOM call and took on board the comments that were made. As a result, a small working group has been tasked with ensuring that in the Articles, Rules, all clauses, sub-clauses etc. are correctly numbered and that the Rules and Articles are not in conflict.  This working group will be reporting back to the Directors within the next couple of weeks and then the required two directors’ meetings to approve any corrections that they have made shall be held. 

Once the Directors have signified their approval, we will again email all members to advise the date of an EGM to approve the articles. With the notice we will be including a proxy form so that those members who cannot attend the EGM zoom meeting can appoint a proxy to register their vote. This will, we hope, ensure that we have a quorum so that the amendments can be approved.

At the same time, we will be sending out notice of the election for a new National Chair. As per the club rules all members are invited to volunteer for this position if they consider they have the necessary expertise and experience. We will be including an overview of the duties etc. together with the process details and timetable.

A postal election will be held for the position if more than one candidate comes forward.  As soon as the new Chair has been elected, I will stand down and take up a non-exec, pro-tem, Vice Chair role to support the new Chair (this will be a coordinator appointment by the Directors and does not carry voting rights at Council).  When the EGM to approve the Articles, noted above, has taken place we will go out to elect a Vice Chair as per the amended rules and articles.  As soon as the Vice Chair is elected, I will revert to my Vice-President role.

This is an important point in our Club’s history. Implementing the role of a Vice Chair is essential to ensure the future of the club. The Chair and Vice Chair are the face of the Club to the outside world, essential links with Motorsport UK and the organising clubs. Having occupied the chair’s position for some 13 years, I look forward to handing the reins over to a younger, active member of the Cub, hopefully someone with the gravitas and acceptability not only to our members but to all the individuals and organisations with which we interact.

On a separate subject, I am pleased to say that I had a very useful meeting with senior members of MSUK this month at which we covered many topics that had been raised by our members. These included discussions on the operation of light panels and flags, communications between the organisations, insurance cover for our members, recruitment, training presentations and other aspects that affect our members.  These will all be further discussed now at the next national council meeting.

As I look forward to my first events of the year, I hope I will meet as many members as possible out there enjoying our chosen hobby. If you see my name down as MSUK Steward at any event at which you are officiating please come along and say hello and let me know what your feelings are about the way the club is run or indeed any aspects of motorsport that the club might be able to help with.
In the words of a famous American tv series “Stay safe out there”.  Enjoy!

Secretary’s Noggin
Nearly time to get the probans out and to check whether they have shrunk over the winter break, maybe time for a new pair? Has your marshal box seen better days? Fix that wobbly wheel, repair that annoying leaking lid and apply new 2026 stickers. Check your waterproofs, gloves, hats, flags and poles. New batteries for your stopwatches and timers. Charge up your scanner. All you need now is a race meeting! 
The new volunteering system is now fully operational; there were a few teething bugs but all seems well now. Thanks to all the Volcos for inputting events, you will see that there are Karting, Hillclimb and Sprint events listed along with circuit. Well done to all involved.

Many of you will recognise the above bridge, you pass over it when going to marshal at one of the most beautiful of circuits on the Isle of Anglesey, Trac Mon. It is the Menai Suspension Bridge and on 30^th January 2026, it shall be 200 years old. Spanning the tidal waters of the Menai Strait between mainland Wales and Anglesey, the bridge stands today not only as a vital transport link, but as a monument to imagination, courage and engineering innovation.

Designed by Thomas Telford, with construction commencing in 1819, it took 7 years to complete the suspension bridge with a central span of over 170 metres, high enough to allow tall-masted ships to pass beneath. Before the bridge, crossing the Menai Strait was a dangerous, ferries had to battle powerful currents and shifting tides and delays were com. mon. Livestock being driven to market had to swim across and many were drowned. 

The bridge was extensively rebuilt during the Second World War, new cables and steelwork were installed, the inner cables (shown below) were removed to allow the roadway to be widened to enable army convoys to pass over and remain there today. The Bridge is Grade 1 listed and is due of a repaint commencing in 2026. 

So the next time you are passing over the bridge on your way to and from Trac Mon, tip your hat to Thomas Telford for without him you would be on a ferry or even worse swimming across the Menai Straits. 

For those Marshals wanting to marshal abroad in 2026, you will need to apply for a letter of confirmation of your marshalling grade from Motorsport UK. Go to the Motorsport UK website and click on Volunteers Marshals and scroll down until you see Marshalling Abroad and Click on Request to Marshal Abroad 2026. You shall also require your EMR Insurance Cover from the National Treasurer to cover you for the dates you are marshalling.

BMMC Committee Vacancies 
Do you have Xero experience?
As you will have seen from previous newsletters, the club’s present bookkeeper,Colin Barnes, will be standing down from this position in the near future.
This means that the Club will need a volunteer to take on this vital role for the smooth running of the club.
If you have experience of the accounting software, Xero, and are interested in taking on the role of club bookkeeper then please get in touch with me for more details. Email nat.treasurer@marshals.co.uk

The Club is also looking for a Brand and Communications Coordinator as well. Dave Smithson is standing down a the end of March 2026 and the Club need a replacement. The role of a Brand and Communications Coordinator for the British Marshals Motorsport Club (BMMC) is vital for managing the club’s public image and ensuring consistent and effective communication across various platforms. This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, media relations, content creation, and brand management, with a strong foundation in communications and public relations. If you feel you have the right qualifications and would like further information please contact either The National Secretary, Ian Ashcroft on nat.secretary@marshals/co.uk or David Smithson on comms@marshals.co.uk

Draw Winners 

Training
The majority of BMMC Regions, and the BRMC, are running training events throughout the winter / early spring of 2026. Locations and dates as currently known are as follows:
North West Region       Marshals Training – 7^th & 8^th February 
Contact Sean  nw.training@marshals.co.uk
Midland Region            Marshals Training now completed
There will be an additional 1-day training event throughout 2026 – date TBD
Contact Steve mids.training@marshals.co.uk
South Midlands Region Marshals Training – 8^th February
                                    Kart Marshals Training – 1^st March
Contact Nina  sm.training@marshals.co.uk
SE Region                     Marshals Training – July 
Contact Anna  se.training@marshals.co.uk
SW Region                    Marshals Training – 22^nd February 
Contact Duncan  sw.training@marshals.co.uk
NE Region                    Marshals training at Croft alongside BARC, 14^th and 15^th February
Contact Michael  ne.secretary@marshals.co.uk
BRMC Various Training days throughout the year including both online and Face to Face events.
Contact training.admin@brmc.org.uk
Please contact the organisers directly to register an interest in attending any of these events.  Please note that many of the training events include the delivery of Motorsport UK’s generic modules, so if the Region is right but not necessarily the discipline you can still attend but do speak to the event organisers first.
As always, please feel free to contact me should you need to – nat.training@marshals.co.uk
The SAMSC (Scottish Association of Motor Sports Clubs) has announced its marshal training programme for 2026, mainly the training shall be on line via ZOOM but also some in person practical training has been included. 

Training dates for June onwards shall be in the March Newsletter.
If you would like to attend any of the above go to the SAMSC website and go to 2026 Training programme for more details and how to apply.

Membership 
The membership currently stands at 3316 as of 24.01.2026.

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:

Upcoming Events 
Rally

Volunteers Wanted 
Rally

1. If you are on the Isle of Wight or close by on the mainland. The Weaver Brothers Ltd Island Stages are looking for marshals for the event on Sunday 15^th February 202. Contact The Chief Marshal, Rob Highmore for details, email marshals@iowcc.co.uk
2. The Manx National Rally is scheduled for the 8^th and 9^th May 2026. The Manx Auto Sport are looking for the following volunteers: Marshals, Radio Operators, Time Keepers and Service Area. 

For none Island Volunteers, The Manx Auto Sport are offering support for each volunteer towards travel and accommodation costs. They are also offering camping and motorhome parking.
For all travel and accommodation deals, please contact their travel partner Isle of Man Event Services on 01624 664460 or email 
To register email  or telephone Alison on 07624 205705 or via Facebook and Website manxautosport.org

1. Jon Cordrey has been asked to run the Sarnau Stage SS1 and SS5 (Cwmysgawen) on this years Severn Vally Stages on Saturday 11^th April 2026. If you can help Jon then please volunteer via Rally Stage Team https://www.rallystageteam.co.uk/
2. Jon has also been asked to run the Dyfnant North Stage SS2 and SS5 at this year’s Trailhead Get Jerky Rally North Wales on Saturday 28^th March 2026, again please volunteer at https://www.rallystageteam.co.uk/

And finally……

Press Release Malcolm Wilson Rally 2026
It is with great sadness that we have to release the following Statement.
The North Lakes forests became unavailable due to the cost of regrading and although we tired tirelessly to work out a plan with Forest England without those forests there was simply no answer to the logistical issues.
Therefore, this year, the 49^th Malcolm Wilson Rally will not run.
Apologies to all those who wished to enter and also those support teams we rely on. 
We will continue to talk to Forest England and hope that the issues can be resolved for the future.
Press Officer – Richard Forster