Revival, Respect & Refresher
September is my favourite time of the year – well it is my birthday month and a big one this year! A weekend away from Motorsport spent celebrating with my family started the month – with added days to recover.
The Goodwood Revival was a triumph again this year – some of the best racing and a great team on post with Dutch and French visitors to share the experience. Poignant and reflective contemplation in respect to the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was observed impeccably each day around the whole circuit. On the Sunday I was invited to Prize giving at the Start / Finish line to witness the presentation of a cheque to the Goodwood Marshals Club towards the purchase of a new rescue unit. The funds were raised by a Crowdfunding page set up by Alice Powell following the sad events of last July and the death of Rob Foote. Rob and his wife Rosemarys names will live on with the Rescue Unit – a fitting tribute to recognise where Rob started marshalling and the close knit community around him.
Last weekend I was at Silverstone for the BTCC – not volunteering for a change! Saturday was spent with Dan Carter from Motorsport UK reviewing and discussing the Light panels. I saw them in operation in Race Control as well as on post at Brooklands (thanks for the welcome on post!). A number of takeaways and discussion points noted and the Formula 4 on board system seen to its full extent. A few surprises and takeaways for Dan too! We await the next debriefing meeting which should take place in November and then we hopefully will have some clear steps and updates for everyone.
On Sunday I was at Silverstone for hospitality from Motorsport UK – offered to everyone who sits on a committee or working group. The marshals who dealt with the track invasion at the GP had also been invited – so able to thank them too. Plenty of networking opportunities over the weekend and catch ups with Laurence Tomlinson (Ginetta – ongoing sponsorship and potential opportunities with the move to supporting British GTs next year) and Dr Ian Roberts (CMO – before he headed off to Singapore).
The Race with Respect campaign from Motorsport UK is something that shouldn’t be necessary but recent examples and cases indicate that unfortunately the behaviour of some individuals is wholly unacceptable. Please do use their newly created reporting system mentioned in our bulletin last week if you need to raise concerns. Of course please approach committee members and Chief marshals to support you if you have cause for concern. Abuse of any nature will not be tolerated.
Finally for this month I passed the Motorsport UK Assessor Refresher course so I can renew my registration and be able to continue assessing Race marshals at events. Phew! Don’t forget that your marshals registration has to be completed by the end of this calendar year but upgrades are still possible up to June next year. The BMMC’s own membership renewal process will be opening soon and further details on this will follow by separate message from our Treasurer Steve.