South east marshals and Team BRIT commit to enhancing disability motorsport safety
A group of volunteer BMMC marshals have committed to working with Team BRIT to enhance safety standards linked to disabled racing drivers.
Representatives from the South East Region of the British Motorsports Marshals Club (BMMC) visited the Team BRIT headquarters in West Sussex on Friday 28th March to learn more about the team, the technology and cars, and to hear about the challenges facing disabled racing drivers at UK race circuits.
After hearing the team’s history and goals, and learning more about the hand controls, the marshals were shown how the team’s wheelchair users approach driver changeovers and vehicle extraction, with a disability.
GT4 drivers Aaron Morgan and Paul Fullick are pairing up in the Britcar Endurance Championship this year, and demonstrated both what is required of them as competitors, but also how race marshals could help them in an emergency situation.
Motorsport UK, the sport’s governing body, requires that disabled drivers prove they can extract themselves from a vehicle within 10 seconds in order to qualify for a race licence. Disabled drivers therefore have to submit video evidence of this as part of their licence application – something able-bodied drivers are not required to do. Aaron demonstrated how he achieves this as a paraplegic, by pulling himself out of the car and on to the floor, using his upper body strength.
Aaron and Paul then demonstrated how they have perfected driver changeovers whilst being dependent on wheelchairs, and explained how marshals could best assist them if a safety incident was to occur on track.
With many marshals keen to receive bespoke training on responding to disabled drivers during a race, and to improve the procedures in place at race circuits, Team BRIT has committed to working with the group to share ideas and opportunities for best practice.
The team plans to work with the SE BMMC on the creation of a safety guidance video to be shared across the UK, and Team BRIT drivers have agreed to attend training sessions for marshals to provide an input on disabled racing drivers.
Team BRIT driver Paul Fullick explains, “It was really great to meet the marshals this week. Race marshals are hugely under-appreciated – there wouldn’t be any motorsport to take part in if it wasn’t for the many, many hours they give up to make our races safe. We’re incredibly grateful to them for that
“Whilst it was great to share the story of the team and our technology, what was most useful was to understand the procedures in place from their perspective when a disabled driver is competing, and to hear more about their own questions or concerns on how best to support a driver with a disability.
“British motorsport is such a well-loved, well-organised sector, that leads the way in so many elements of racing. A lot of work has been undertaken in recent years to make sure that it is as inclusive and as accessible as possible, but there are some simple things we can do, in partnership with race marshals to further improve on safety standards and the experiences of disabled drivers.
“There are some things that just haven’t been addressed, such as making podiums accessible – we should be able to get on the podium when we win – and making sure there’s more than one accessible toilet on a race track. The more critical issues are making sure that all marshals at every race meeting are briefed on any disabled drivers taking part, and how they can assist them should a safety incident occur.
“We’re looking forward to working with the South East BMMC on addressing some of these points, and sharing this learning and best practice right across the UK.”
Ian Bowles, Membership Co-ordinator of the SE BMMC said: “Taking a group of BMMC SE Marshals to the Team BRIT HQ was very informative, especially the joint discussion around ways to improve how we can work together as one in motorsport in the future.
“Working with Team BRIT will allow us to develop new and additional training, not only for the BMMC SE region marshals, but nationally for all, no matter which club marshals belong to.
“We’re excited to be working with Team BRIT on this joint project, which will ultimately benefit everyone in motorsport. Disability should not be a barrier, something the team is proving in their success and development. We can also work together to finding funding streams to support this fantastic opportunity going forward.”
BMMC SE Training Co-ordinator Anna Lambe said: “Our visit to Team BRIT was both enjoyable and insightful, highlighting the importance of communication and training for all marshals and rescue teams on how we can best support disabled drivers. Securing resources and funding for these kinds of initiatives is one the key roles of the BMMC. And one of the reasons the UK is recognised as having the best motorsport marshals in the world.”
BMMC SE Chair Andy Bumstead commented: “My thanks go to Team BRIT for their support of the marshals this year. Their enthusiasm to support us with training and information to allow us to be more informed and supportive, not only of their own drivers, but of all clubs and championships that may have drivers with disabilities. In my role as a rescue crew chief, I look forward to working with Team BRIT to learn more about how we can work better with drivers with disabilities, and explore best practice ideas for other rescue teams.
“On behalf of all marshals, no matter which club we belong to, thank you Team BRIT for your support.”