June club news

Martin Brundle 

Congratulations to Martin Brundle upon his appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2025 New Year Honours list. 

Chair’s Statement.
After the horrendous incident in the British Supersport race at Oulton Park earlier in the month, last Saturday was another very sad day for motorsport in this country.  It makes you realise that, even with all the safety measures we have in place, our sport can still be very dangerous.

On the Jim Clark rally co-driver Dai Roberts died at the scene after emergency services were called at around 10:50 whilst his driver, James Williams, 27, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries. The remainder of the closed-road event, held near Duns, was cancelled along with the Reivers Rally, scheduled for Sunday.

Julian Grimwade was competing at the Vintage Sports Car Club’s race event at Donington Park when he was fatally injured.  Known for his spirited participation and prowess behind the wheel of pre-war machines, Grimwade was driving his Oakland Romano Special in the Mephistopheles & Lanchester Trophy event but tragedy struck during the first lap, leading to an immediate red flag. The second and third races went ahead about an hour behind schedule but then a simple announcement was made that the meeting was being abandoned.

To the families, friends, team members and others who knew Dai or Julian, we send our deepest sympathies and condolences.  We also hope James recovers fully and speedily from his injuries.  To those involved in dealing with the incidents we offer our complete support.
Whenever there is an incident, be it minor or major, simple or serious it is the marshals and officials who are called on to deal with the consequences.  All of us react in different ways – some can shrug off the incident, others find it more difficult to deal with.  Whether you are closely involved or just see or hear about it, if you feel you have been affected, we would implore you to talk to someone – a fellow marshal, a friend, your GP, Motorsport UK, anyone who will lend a sympathetic ear to help you realise your feelings.
BMMC, the organising clubs and Motorsport UK offer counselling services to all registered officials.  We encourage anyone who thinks they may benefit to contact us so we can ensure the correct support is in place.  
We also encourage all marshals and officials to attend a “First Marshal on Scene” training module, where you can acquire and practice the required skills needed in the event of a serious injury event.  Understanding what needs to be done and being confident in your actions helps enormously if you are involved in this type of incident.  The need for this module was discussed in a trainers Zoom call only last week – BMMC is ensuring our trainers are fully conversant with the requirements for this module to be given to all who want it.

Motorsport is a fantastic sport, we will continue to ensure that, wherever possible, all precautions and actions needed are taken to ensure your safety and enjoyment.  Please remember that your safety and that of your fellow marshals and officials is our primary focus alongside the necessity to ensure everyone from the competitors to the spectators can enjoy their motorsport in the safest possible environment.

Chair’s Noggin
As an MSUK Steward I get to see many different aspects of our sport.  Around November or December each year we are sent an allocation sheet where we indicate which weekends we have available to act as a steward. We then wait, in eager anticipation, as January and February roll around to see to which events we have been allocated. If you are lucky, you will be appointed to one of the national championships where a panel of stewards oversee two or three events each, otherwise it will be a random selection of events.

This month I have had the pleasure of stewarding a BARC weekend at Snetterton, the MSUK hill climb championship at Craigantlet and a kart race meeting at Clay Pigeon Raceway. Very different events but all marked by the same enthusiasm and dedication from the officials and the marshals.  At all the events it is great to see our BMMC badged overalls helping to protect our members as they perform their duties.

Whilst enjoying all aspects of our sport we still need to keep in mind the dangers to which the officials and competitors are exposed. Our training sessions are centred on ensuring our members have the skills and knowledge to be able to perform their duties in the safest manner possible. The recent tragic events in different aspects of the sport have only served to show that we need to always be alert to the safety aspects.  

This month I also had the pleasure of visiting MSUK headquarters at Bicester for a meeting with Hugh Chambers, John Ryan and senior members of staff responsible for our marshalling activities. In a wide-ranging discussion we looked at topics such as the use of lights and flags, the training and grading scheme, representation at Motor Sport UK, feedback from the 2024 Grand Prix questionnaire and numerous others. I’m happy to say that it was a very positive meeting with both sides promising to increase the interactivity between us and to work more closely together in the future.

I know that Ian Whiting, Midland region chairman, has been actively working with MSUK and Silverstone to ensure that the problems encountered by marshals at last year’s Grand Prix are not repeated this year.  We will be manning a recruitment stand at the GP where I hope we will be able to entice some of the spectators to come “over the fence” and join our great team.

Whatever discipline of the sport you are involved in I hope you will enjoy the rest of the season. Stay safe and remember that if you have any queries, questions or comments about the club your regional committees are there to help you as are the national officials.

Secretary’s Noggin
The tragic events during this month highlight the fact that motor racing (in whatever form) can be very dangerous and that anything can happen, anywhere and at any time. So, please everyone stay vigilant, be careful and watch out for one another at all times. 

May has been a busy month of marshalling for me. Starting with the Donington Historic Festival. This event is now under new management and organisation and things have changed. The event was spread over 3 days and the set up in the paddock included clearly defined and marked class areas. The racing along with the weather was great and to top it off, on the Saturday night a great evening’s entertainment from Rick Parfett Jnr and his band. 

For those marshals that have never been to the Cadwell Park, please add it to your bucket list of circuits to visit. Nicknamed the “Mini Nurburgring”. A really wonderful circuit offering both drivers and riders a great and challenging experience. I was there recently for the 2 days of the CSCC meeting. An event with an eclectic collection of cars racing in each class and for the majority of races full fields.

My favourite races had to be the Morgan Challenge (2025 is the 40^th anniversary of the Morgan Challenge), the sound of the leading 4 Morgan Plus 8’s roaring past Post 12 Barn Approach was something to see and hear.  Closely followed by the big Jaguars and the scream of their supercharged engines and the sight of a Jaguar X Type Estate car mixing it up with its bigger brothers.  

Regional News
Midlands

For all marshals and race goers visiting Donington Park over the last couple of events, will have seen a new addition in the paddock opposite Garage 39. This is Marshal Post 40 (MP40). A homage to the now redundant marshal post numbering, the new FIA standards has led to this format change. 

First envisaged a few years ago, it was Johnathan Palmer who suggested that permanent fixture should be created to showcase the kind of activities marshals carry out at a typical circuit. What followed was a lot of hard work and with support from MSV, MP40 at Donington was quietly launched during the BTCC opening race weekend, with Richard Harris being interviewed by Alan Hyde for his BTCC Tin Top Tuesday podcast. An official opening ceremony is being planned in the near future.

MP40 is a dedicated recruitment space is in a prime position in the main paddock with the centerpiece being a particularly beaten-up Ford Focus race car. 

This car has been kindly donated by the Focus Cup and really highlights to the public, the kind of incidents that track marshals are trained to deal with and is a testament to modern safety standards (the driver survived with minor injuries). It’s certainly a great catalyst for starting conversations with the general public who don’t have much of an understanding what marshals do. 

There are also posters, leaflets holders and a large information wall detailing useful information for anyone wanting to get into marshalling. Plus, a large video screen showing the BMMC video content or marshals in action with QR codes directing anyone wanting a more digital experience.

The next time you are either marshalling or just spectating at Donington Park, drop by and say hello. 

SE Region 
The South East region was finally able to present our trophies in March and I having missed the deadline for the last newsletter, here are the SE Regional & National winners. Well done to all who won. Don’t forget if you feel a marshal deserves a nomination then use the form on the SE website or email your regional chair with the name and why you think the marshal deserves an award.

The South East committee has met every month so far with many topics being discussed in order to improve the region and the club. Feedback regarding any concerns is always welcome and appreciated, please contact committee reps or chairs. We do listen and take every opportunity to try and make changes for the better and to be safer in our roles. Changes won’t happen overnight but are works in progress.

The South East has a new exciting project in the early stages of development and discussions are underway with key stakeholders of which the outcome will provide information, guidance and training for every marshal. Stay tuned for further updates.

The South East is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Social Media coordinator. Jatha Sundarapalan has taken on the role and has already got the South East more social media focused with new accounts on some of the more trending platforms. Do go and check us out on the socials as the young folk say!!

Andy Bumstead (SE Chair) has been fortunate to travel to some of the other circuits across the other regions and numbers of marshals seem to be healthy. What is concerning is that marshals seem to forget the basics in dealing with incidents and this was evident at a race meeting where the marshals set off 1 fire extinguisher in the car, thinking this was the electric cut off switch. Another was trying to pull the extinguisher pull without success when he should have been pulling the electrics. 

If you are unsure ASK and remember mistakes cost drivers money on top of repair bills they may already have.
Membership

The membership currently stands at 2841 (as per 22/05/2025) with 428 non-renewals for 2025.

 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:

Volunteer Marshals wanted
The following events are currently looking for additional marshals to attend 
Race

1. Donington Park is still looking for marshals for the BRSCC Club Race meeting on the weekend of 7^th and 8^thJune. Contact either Nina Fountain 07810 358318, email nina.fountain@brscc.co.uk or Mel Baggaley 07795 275211 email admin@doningtonesteam.org.uk if you would like to attend either day or both days. 

Rally

1. Marshal registration is now open for the Nicky Crist Stages (Saturday 12^th July 2025) on https://www.rallystageteam.co.uk or by contacting the Chief Marshal, Ian Evans at marshals@nickygriststages.co.uk. A HSE compliant Individual First Aid Kit is being offered as a thank you gift to all attending marshals. 
2. Registration is open for the Rali Ceredigion on the 5^th to 7^th September 2025. Marshals wishing to assist at this year’s event and get the full experience of another exciting JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion. Online registration is available here: https://www.rallystageteam.co.uk if you need any further information, please contact our Chief Marshal Wenna Roberts on marshals@raliceredigion.co.uk

Further off-stage locations, such as the start, finish and service park, shall be added in the near future.

1. Registration is now open for the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire 26^th to 25^th September 2025 at https://www.rallystageteam.co.uk
2. The 2025 Roger Albert Clark Rally shall have a new Northern base when it moves to Carlisle for the Saturday, Sunday and Monday legs of the November 20^th to 24^th Event, following the 1^st 2 day’s competition in Wales.

The rally shall be based at Carlisle Airport, with competitors arriving on the Friday evening or early Saturday morning through to the end of the event on the Monday. The departure lounge shall be available for both visitors and competitors with café, toilets and showers for all. Outside there are 450 parking places for support vehicles and spectators.

Krazy Races Update.
Further to last month’s appeal for marshals to assist with the Krazy Races, Nadine has advised that:

1. For Lincoln on Sunday 22^nd June, Nadine has two volunteers but still required another 1 or 2.
2. For Newbury on Sunday 24^th August, to date no offers of assistance received.
3. For Bristol on Sunday 7th September, Nadine has a single volunteer, however, another 2 or 3 marshals are still required.

If you can help and volunteer to attend any of the above, then please contact Nadine Lewis, email nat.volco@marshals.co.uk
Additional information can be obtained from www.krazyraces.co.uk