July Club News

Chair’s chat 

The racing season is in full swing and I hope you are all enjoying your active participation in our sport. We had a National Council meeting at the end of this month to continue the management of the club. We were pleased to welcome Kim Grogan to her first meeting as our new National Communications Coordinator together with Steve Wolfe who has assumed bookkeeping responsibilities for the club.

As always, the meeting had a very full agenda covering all the regions of the club together with the supporting activities required to ensure its continued growth and success. An awful lot of work goes on behind the scenes that members are usually unaware of. An important part of this is the need to maintain the systems that support everything we do. This has entailed moving our website providers and implementing the migration of our membership database and volunteering system to a new provider plus the transfer of our documents and records to a new system. All of these have been carried out successfully but the work continues. The next priority is the necessary upgrade of the membership system which will hopefully be implemented well before renewals start coming in at the end of the year.

As I write this, I know many of you will be preparing for the annual pilgrimage to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix. I marshalled and officiated at this event from way back in 1969 until 1996 when I decided that the enjoyment of the event for me was overshadowed by all the restrictions placed on volunteers. I can well understand why many people feel that this is the pinnacle of their year and enjoy the event but whilst doing whatever I can to ensure that marshals are treated correctly I will be engaged in other activities and will watch the Grand Prix on catch up on the dear old TV.

Hopefully the weather at the Grand Prix will be of a nature that allows everyone to enjoy the event without the dangers that we have experienced during the recent heatwave. As always, I hope everyone ensures that they have the correct clothing, food and drink to ensure they stay fit and healthy over the whole event.

On a personal note, I have enjoyed a relatively easy month of Motor Sport, acting as MSUK Steward at the British hill climb championship at Gurston Down and Shelsley Walsh together with a karting event with Camberley Kart Club. Although, both the hillclimbs were relatively relaxed events both showed that you can never fully relax whenever competitive vehicles are involved. Both events had major incidents requiring rescue unit intervention and hospitalisation of competitors. I was extremely pleased and proud to observe the actions of the marshals at these events as they calmly dealt with what could have been very serious incidents. Our members’ professionalism is outstanding.

Secretary’s noggin

Already the end of June, half way through the year and the 2026 race season. The weather over the last couple of weeks has not been very nice for marshalling, the heat and humidity has been unbearable at times. I hope everyone is taking on plenty of fluids, plenty of sunscreen, wearing hats and getting in the shade whenever possible. I shall be returning to Le Mans a the end of June, this time for the Le Mans Classic, our Vice President Mike Newton shall be racing there in his MG-Lola, EX257. This is the car he won the LMP2 Class at the 2005 Le Mans before finishing 2^nd in the Le Mans Series the same year. Forecast is for temperatures between 28 and 31C for the event. 

For those marshals lucky enough to be selected for the F1 at Silverstone from the 3^rd to 5^th July, I hope you are happy with the posts you have been allocated. Enjoy the experience, as we do say, we do have the best seats in the house when racing is on.  Stay cool and hydrated and enjoy the spectacle. 

The answer to the June Trivia Question, what is the name of the circuit shown below and when did it close?

The answer is Blandford Circuit, based at the home of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Blandford, Dorset. The very 1^st post World War II car road race in England was held at Blandford on Saturday 27th August 1949 and consisted of 3 sports car races, one for F3 cars, 2 heats and a final and the same for F2 cars competing for the Blandford Cup. Although deemed a success the organisers, the West Hants and Dorset Car lost money on the event. The track was 3miles long but only 20ft wide with army buildings very close to the circuit in places. There were a number of crashes with the most spectacular being P.K. Braid driving a F3 car demolished a bus stop before launching himself off a pine sapling before landing on the Battalion Headquarters. Unfortunately, Gordon Woods crashed his Frazer Nash BMW in the same location but received fatal head injuries. 

A 2^nd race was held on Whit Monday 29^th May 1950, following the similar programme as the 1^st event. It was at this post war race in England that the 1^st rolling start for F3 cars behind an “official” car which pulled off just before the Union Flag was dropped. This event was covered by the BBC on the Light Programme (Radio 2 now). Racing ceased at the end of 1950 due to the withdrawal of authorisation to race by the authorities due mainly to the number of fatalities at the circuit. 

Where was July’s long-lost circuit located?

Major or Traumatic Incident.

Major or traumatic incidents whilst we are out on the bank, are thankfully very rare. However, they do happen and if you are involved or witness such an event and subsequently find yourself replaying the incident, struggling to sleep, feeling anxious, or wanting to withdraw. Please know these are completely normal psychological responses and you do not have to carry it alone.

Talking it through with your team on post, fellow marshals and senior officials is often the best 1^st step. However, the BMMC does provide a completely free, completely confidential 24/7 helpline for all registered marshals and their immediate families. Call 0117 934 0105 quoting policy no 100580442CCI. This is completely confidential and the BMMC is never notified if you call. Your privacy is guaranteed. 

Remember, you are not alone, help is always available.

National Volunteer

Krazy Races are still needing more volunteer marshals for the following events 

1. Telford 12 July – could do with more for this as they have a bigger entry list!
2. 26 July Newbury – no volunteers yet
3. 9 August Stockport – three volunteers already

Contact Nadine Lewis on nat.volunteering@marshals.co.uk

Draw Winners

Membership 

The current BMMC membership stands at 3066 as of 19.06.2026. Of the 588 non-renewals by the end of April, 15 have renewed  

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.

Total of members per region 

Marshal Upgrades

The following Marshal upgrades the month of June 2026 are: – 

Upcoming Events 

Rally

Volunteers Wanted 

Race

1. The Mid Cheshire Motor Racing Club urgently need marshals for their event to be held at Scammonden on Sunday 26^th July 2026. If you are available and can help then please email helpus@mcmrc.co.uk for details 

Rally

1. Advance notice for the weekend of 19^th and 20^th March 2027. The North West Rally Stages will be back with long time sponsor Legend Fires returning as headline sponsor for 2027. Based as usual out of the Myerscough College and utilising the exciting and challenging Lancashire roads. The traditional ceremonial start being in Garstang. 
2. This year’s Greystoke Stages are still looking for in-stage marshals along with flying finish crew. The event is scheduled for Sunday 5^th July 2026 with the forest being open between 06.30 and 07.30 for marshal sign on. If you are interested in marshalling this event, please contact Joe Walker, Chief Marshal on 07827960560 for details. 
3. The BRMC have been asked to run the Dalbeattie Stage at this year’s 80^th Scottish Rally to be held on Saturday 18^th July 2026. To register please go to 

Marshals – http://form.jotform.com/220912691161047

Radio Marshals – http://form.jotform.com/240644932355054