November Club News
Chair’s Chat
As we enter November we need to look forward to our AGM on December 7th at Motorsport UK HQ in Bicester. It is hoped that as many of you as possible will be able to attend for the official meeting followed by an informal discussion regarding the plans for the future of the club. Answer any questions you may have – and I mean ANY questions and listen to any suggestions you may have. Remember, this is YOUR club, the Council and Regional Committees are there to run the club on your behalf. This can only be achieved if the elected officials know what the membership expects and requires from our club.
An important discussion shall be on the future Chairmanship of the club. As you are probably well aware, I stepped back as Chair when it was difficult to attract suitable candidates to take up the position. Having discussed this at length in council, a proposal to create the position of Vice-Chair to take some of the weight off the Chair’s role, shall be presented at the AGM.
In order to implemented, the Club’s Rules and Articles shall require amending, an initial draft shall be presented at the AGM along with, hopefully, suitable volunteers for the roles. Council does have the power to introduce a Vice-Chair role without an election, but this would only be on a temporary basis since the person appointed would not have any of the voting rights that go with the responsibility.
In both the Chair and Vice-Chair roles it is expected that someone with experience of the different marshalling roles at all levels within the club and how it is run, along with the capability and ability to interact at all levels with Motorsport UK and the organising clubs. Ideally, they will have been a member for a good few years and have been part of one of the regional committees or held a national post. However, the opportunity does exist for anyone who considers they would fit the role to volunteer. Candidates will be invited to discussions with Chair and National Officers followed by an election.
Splitting the role is designed to enable the occupants to work together, to split the responsibilities and to try to ensure there is a succession plan in place.
The National Chair and Vice-Chair are not the only roles that need to be filled. Dave Smithson has decided to step down as Brand and Communications Officer. This is an important role looking after our image to the outside world. Again, a role description is attached, so please have a look and, if you feel you could do justice to the role, let us know so we can discuss it with you before the AGM.
Another role needing filling is that of IT officer. Until recently the club has, to a great extent, relied upon members to create internally the necessary software needed to run the club. A review of all the club’s IT requirements has been completed and major changes to the way the club operates is being implemented. The move to the use of commercially available software that has the required capabilities and to interface with the software other clubs (including MotorSport UK) use to run their organisations is being expedited. Sean Clarke has done a fantastic job of looking after our software up to now, but with the change in emphasis he is stepping down from the role – but shall remain in post long enough to enable a successor to adapt to the role.
The final role that shall require to be filled is for Bookkeeper, Colin Barnes shall stand down at the end of March 2026, so a replacement Bookkeeper shall be required to be in place by then following a hand over period. This is another important role within the Club, the management of the Membership Direct Debits and maintaining the accounts.
If anyone is interested in standing for any of the above positions, Job Descriptions can be accessed below
Secretary’s Noggin
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the BMMC shall once again be held at the Motorsport UK Headquarters in Bicester on Sunday the 7th December 2025 commencing at 14.00. As stated by Chris there are a number of key positions within the Club that need to be filled. A big thanks to all the officials, who shall be standing down for the many hours spent in the evenings and weekends working on Club matters. The Club does not run itself, so if you are interested in helping, please make contact to discuss the role you are interested in. All members are invited to either attend in person or via ZOOM, if you could please let me now via email on nat.secretary@marshals.co.uk by Friday 21stNovember 2025 latest. Details of the agenda for the AGM shall be issued shortly.
At the final North West BARC meeting at Oulton Park on Saturday 11th October in the morning qualifying session for the Britcar Endurance race later in the day, the flag marshal post at Old Hall Out was hit by a Volkswagen Golf. The flag marshal was thrown to the ground by the impact but, thankfully, was not injured. More shock than anything and following a checkup at the medical centre was stood down for the day. The flag marshal was back in action the following Saturday for the final CSCC meeting a little bruised but still smiling.
More good news concerning the marshal injured at the BTCC meeting at Silverstone in September. The marshal concerned is now receiving intensive rehabilitation and physio programme after being in an induced coma for 2 weeks. This is very good news and I am sure everyone in the BMMC sends their best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
BDRC Motor Sport Charity
The BRDC Benevolent Fund was founded in 2000 to support BRDC Members in times of need. In 2008, the charity extended its reach to include people from the wider motorsport community involved in the participation, promotion or administration of motorsport, including but not limited to, competitors, marshals, officers, employees at motorsport venues and those involved in the design, construction, testing, repair and supply of parts for vehicles intended for competition use.
In 2018, to reflect this wider reach, the name of the charity was changed to the BRDC Motor Sport Charity. The fund supports people with financial grants and advice during times of need. In recent times, families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis have been supported with winter fuel payments. Other examples of support include purchase of disability equipment and white goods, counselling support for children who lost a parent in a racing accident, and the funding of specialist therapies for children with life-changing illness or disability.
There are 4 trustees of this charity Darion Franchetti MBE, Chris Bliss, Ian Harrower and Stephen Woolfe (on behalf of both BMMC and Non BMMC marshals).
The application process is delivered in strict confidence and during the three years that Stephen has been with the Charity, a number of marshals have been assisted. If any marshal has been affected and would like help and assistance, Stephen can be contacted for an initial informal, but in completely confidential , chat on asst.treasurer@marshals.co.uk or by phone on 07739332217.
Alternatively email the BRDC Motor Sport Charity claim facilitator on charlesburch@sky.com
There is also a website www.brdc.co.uk/BRDC-Motor-Sport-Charity for more details.
November Draw winners
Regalia
Training
The BRMC has organised a practical rally marshals training day on Saturday 29th November 2025 at the National Centre for Motorsport Engineering in Bolton.
The training shall take place between 08.30 and 16.30, with delegates selecting 2 sessions from the following list.
- Radio – RY01B – Communication in theory
- RY02C – Rally Radio
- RY03D – Advanced Radio
- Timing
- RY02B – Introduction to Rally Timing
- RY02E – Rally Timing
- RY03E – Advanced Timing
- Pathway Level 1 and 2
- GE01D – Working Together
- GE01G – First on Scene
- RY01A – Introduction to Rally
- RY01C – Spectator Safety and Management
- RY02A- Incident Response
- GE02A- Supporting Your Peers
- Pathway Level 3
- GE03A – Leadership
- GE03B – Developing Others
- GE03C – Giving and Receiving Feedback
- GE03D – Report Writing
- RY03A – Incident and Safety Management
- RY03B – Event Organisation and Structure
- RY03C – Stage Set Up
Tea and coffee shall be provided, but please bring your own mug/ cup. Lunch shall not be provided, so bring your own food.
To register, please go to;
http://form.jotform.com/252032229121341
if you have any queries about this training or need additional information or assistance, please email:
training.admin@brms.org.uk
Volunteering
Regional News
Midlands Region
The dates for annual training for Midlands Marshals at Donington Park are:
- 10th and 11th January 2026 – Rescue Training.
- 24th and 25th January 2026 – Marshal Training Grade 1,2 and 3 Track and Off Track, to include fire training for those grading for Grade 1.
Full details and volunteering links shall be published soon.
For Snatch and IO Training, invitations shall be sent in due course.
On the evening of Saturday 10th January 2026 from 19.00 to late, there is a BMMC Marshals Winter Party and Awards Evening. This is your opportunity to enjoy great food, entertainment and connect with fellow marshals in a festive atmosphere. The night also includes the annual awards ceremony. There is a 3-course dinner, raffle and tombola along with a Guest Speaker and a disco.
The venue is the Crown Plaza East Midlands Airport. Kegworth. Derby. DE74 2DF. Tickets are £45 each, for further details email m.training@marshals.co.uk
NI Region
A Marshal and Motorsport Volunteer Appreciation Night is being organised by Caroline McGuinness for Saturday 17thJanuary 2026 at the City of Armagh Rugby Club, Palace Fields, Friary Road, BT60 4EN, Armagh
NW Region
The North-West region has initiated the running of monthly webinars for new marshals. The aim of the sessions is to answer all those burning questions, from how to volunteer to where to go to sign on. No question is too small and all new marshals or those who have 3 to 4 sessions under their belt are encouraged to sign up by emailing nw.recruiting@marshals.co.uk.
The NW Region AGM was held on Thursday 23rd October at the Mere and Tabley Community Club near Knutsford where 3 committee members were re-elected for a another 3 years
Following the AGM there was an informal meet and greet with Paul O’Neill, our BMMC Ambassador
South East Region
The SE Regional Committee has 4 vacancies to be filled.
- Recruitment Coordinator
- Social Media Coordinator
- Volunteer Coordinator
- BRMC Rally Representative
You do not need to be a specialist as training can be provided, just a passion about marshalling. If you feel you have something to offer, then role descriptions can be provided, contact Nick Harber on se.secretary@marshals.co.uk
Membership
The membership currently stands at 3192 as of 21/10/2025.