September Club News

National Chair’s Chat
September already! Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun. I hope you are all enjoying your roles in motor sport whichever disciplines you support. In my role as an MSUK steward I am appointed to all aspects of the sport, including karts, sprints, hill climbs and circuit racing at venues around the country from Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands to Craigantlet in Northern Ireland, with all stops in between.  
The advantage is that I get to meet our club members at all these different events and always enjoy the banter and discussions. It is great to see such a diverse set of people enjoying our sport and to receive feedback, both good and bad, about how our club is doing together with your suggestions as to how we can improve.  
Although I represent the “Face of BMMC” it is the hard-working members of National Council and regional committees who put in the effort to run the club on behalf of you the members.  These unsung heroes often put in many hours of work each week looking after all the aspects required for the club to be a success.  Unfortunately, in this day and age, it seems to be more and more difficult to find willing volunteers to take on these roles at all levels around the club.  All the regions will be holding their AGMs in October and November prior to the National AGM on December 7^th.  If you would like to volunteer to join one of the committees please let your region know or drop me a line so that I can pass on your details.
On a personal note, I came back to the role of National Chair this year when it was apparent that we had not had a suitable volunteer step forward.  I have always made it clear that I do not wish to occupy the position long term.  I enjoyed my previous 12 years as National Chair and must admit there are some pleasurable aspects in taking on the role again. However, my intention is only to occupy the chair until someone younger volunteers to take it on.  National Council are therefore encouraging anyone who feels they have the time, skills and commitment for the role to contact one of the national officers so that we can explain what is needed and expected in more detail.  
The amount of time and effort required by National Chair depends very much on the ability of the incumbent to delegate and manage the work involved. I know a lot of people to whom I have spoken seem to think the chair does everything themselves but that need not, and should not, be the case.  We have a great team of volunteers who contribute a great deal in supporting the National Chair and whoever takes on the role can expect that to continue.
What we are looking for is someone who can represent the club at all levels, engaging with the senior people in MSUK, interacting with those representing the organising clubs, interfacing with our members and the general public and ensuring the club reacts positively to both praise and criticism.  It is expected that the chair will have some experience in most aspects of our sport at all levels and has been around the sport long enough to appreciate the different roles played by all people involved so that they can have meaningful discussions when representing the club either personally or via a delegated representative.  
Whoever volunteers to take over the role can be assured that they will receive my full support during the changeover and for as long as they wish to receive it.  I will then be more than happy to step back to my non-executive role of Vice President.  I look forward to discussing the role further with those who volunteer.

Secretary’s Noggin
Can’t quite believe it is September already, where has this marshalling season gone? Seems like only yesterday I was at my 1^st event at Silverstone in March for 2 days of CSCC racing. Been a busy season with only Goodwood Revival and 5 events at Oulton Park to round of my season. Just hoping the weather remains pleasant.
The last 2 race meetings at Oulton Park have been different. In so much that both events have finished well before the 18.30 curfew and FULL lunchbreaks were had by all the marshals. One meeting there was even, a morning and afternoon tea break. So civilised and was greatly appreciated. The racing was very good as well.
Well done to all the Oulton Park marshals on Druids and Warwick Bridge (as well as the fire marshals in the fire truck) for their actions in putting out the fire in car 82 in the Sports 2000 Championship race on Saturday 16^th August. The initial call went out from Shell and when it passed me on Hilltop it had well developed flames coming from the rear. Quite how the car managed to do over half the circuit in flames was amazing. The driver was OK and was unhurt unlike his wallet. 
One thing I have noticed when I am completing marshals’ Personnel Record Card (PRC) on Post, is the large number that do not have the marshal’s signature and Motorsport UK Registration Number in the boxes provided at the bottom of each page. Quite a few do not have personal details completed or even a photograph. These need to be provided especially if going for an upgrade and will be rejected if not completed, causing delays, wasted time and additional costs to all. 

New BMMC Overalls Sponsor

Training 
All please find below information and invitations from MSUK 
Club Workshops 
We are hosting club workshops in October and November this year, alongside Event Official Workshops. The Club Workshops are open to committee members of the club to help their club with recruitment, marketing, retention and more.  
Topics of the Club Workshops will include 

1. Sustainability – Carbon Calculator & Environmental Management System 
2. Marketing – Creating your Club’s Image & How to promote your Club and Events 
3. People – Welfare, Recruitment & Safeguarding 
4. Management – Club Development, Risk Assessments & Sport:80 
5. Event Officials – National Competition Rules, Judicial and Event Steward/Event Secretary content  

This year we will be visiting six locations across the UK with plans already in place to visit different locations in 2026. 
Saturday 11^th October – Cambridge – Huntingdon Racecourse PE28 4NL
Saturday 8^th November – Belfast – Dunsilly Hotel BT41 2JH
Saturday 15^th November – Newcastle – The Village Hotel NE27 0BY
Saturday 29^th November – Exeter – Exeter Racecourse EX6 7XS
Sunday 30^th November – Swansea – The Village Hotel SA1 8QY
There are options to participate on a Full or Half Day of workshops. Please note however, that lunch is not included in the Half Day workshops. 
ESO/SSO Training  
In addition to the above, we will be running a series of Event Safety Officer/Spectator Safety Officer courses available to those already acting in these roles, and those who are interested in becoming an ESO/SSO. The course will consist of a one-day workshop with presentations, interaction and activities and serves as a great opportunity for delegates to learn from experienced Trainers and to engage in valuable discussion with colleagues carrying out the role. 
There will be three courses taking place in 2025, although further workshops will be arranged in 2026: 
            Sunday 5^th October – Ashton Under Lyme  
Saturday 1^st November – Glasgow 
Saturday 13^th December – County Antrim 
Individuals looking to apply for the course will need to have completed the Marshals’ Accreditation Course and already be registered as a Marshal, Licensed Official or Event Official, and will require a nomination from a licensed Stage Rally Clerk of the Course.  
Spaces are limited, if you are interested in attending any of the above, please go to the Motorsport UK website.
Regional News
Midlands Region
All are invited to the grand opening of MP40, the BMMC marshals’ recruitment facility on Saturday 9^th August at Donington Park. This shall be the opportunity to see the new and permanent recruitment base at Donington and to chat to local legend Brian Bennett about all things marshalling. 

NE Region 
The NE committee have been working hard on recruitment, managing to secure availability of recruitment at Darlington Motorsports Day, Croft Classic to Modern, BTCC Croft and also an RAF MSA day at Blyton. Recruitment for taster days has gone very well. We even managed to recruit the mascot from GNAAS Great North Air Ambulance Service.

The NE chair was asked to get some photos of the Clapham North badges on overalls which gave her a perfect excuse to get up close to some BTCC names.

The NE committee is working hard to get members on the committee from other circuits in the region but with little success, we would love to welcome some representation from any venue other than Croft (we have good representation from there), if anyone would like to be considered for a role please email NE.chair@marshals.co.uk.

NW Region 
This month the NW region has been out and about with the trusty recruitment tent. This includes trying a new event, the Anglesey Autofest to try and convert new people to our favourite hobby.

The event was a great success with almost 30 people expressing an interest in finding out more.

A massive thank you to Dean Ruff, Lara Jones, Matt Goodrich and Jenson Boyd for giving up their time and sharing their enthusiasm
South East region news
The South East region was asked to support the Girls on Track (GoT) initiative by the FIA at the recent Formula E race held at the London Excel centre in London. As one of this regions showcase events, the usual the army of marshals descended to docklands to support the race event over the 3 days. 
With just under 2 weeks of planning, the team led by Anna (SE Training Coordinator), worked miracles to assemble a team of marshals to support the GoT on the Friday but also the fan zone for Saturday and Sunday. Exercises were developed for the GoT to do as part of their workshops throughout the day by the team and from the organisers there was positive feedback with a few girls returning and booking taster days.
The sessions included the use of flags and their meanings as well as communication skills alongside asking our team how to get into all forms of motorsport from volunteering through to engineering and working within the motorsport industry.    
Thanks go to Anna, Gareth, Emily, Claire, Carol, Kevin, Marta & Justine for their work in supporting at short notice and for their work and ideas to design the activities in the workshops for GoT and fan zone.

The South East committee took leave during August but all committee members were still working behind the scenes for all our regional members and some even enjoyed time with their family on holiday. Thanks go to the committee for their work so far and their support of the region.
The South East Region was privileged to attend Prodrive. Lead by Ian (SE Membership Coordinator) these days give insights to behind the scenes of how race cars get built, maintained and to the track. More dates and other teams will be announced with the next visit to Team Brit.
During August as SE chair, I was fortunate to be able to be invited to MSUK via teams to share on our current project and deliver a project proposal. Other items were discussed, all for the benefit of you the BMMC marshal and for all marshals in general. Joined by National Chair, Chris Hobson, there were some good ideas and MSUK listened with actions taken by me to put forward official proposals. Watch this space for more news on our project.
Advanced notice that the SE regional AGM will be held in Oct/Nov depending on venue and dates available and should be again a hybrid meeting so you can join from the comfort of your own homes. At this meeting we also ask for nominations for SE awards but you still have time to tell us your standout marshal for the year by going to our web page and using the voting form. Look out for notices and committee vacancies that will come out and please consider joining and helping the SE region be the region marshals wish to belong to.
South Midlands Region 
A busy summer in the South Midlands Region, following our continued engagement with MSIK and Silverstone the Grand Prix provided significant improvement for marshals.  In addition to this working with Silverstone we managed to secure similar benefits for helpers on the recruitment stands in line with all marshals.  This was apparent at the Silverstone Festival, where volunteers on the stand also received Breakfast, lunch, gift bags and guest passes.
The new Gazebo has proved a great success and at the festival around 80 names were taken for potential marshals, thank you Andy Bumstead for supplying stickers and cards to be distributed along with Silverstone Rally school for providing a Subaru car to go on the display.
The festival weekend started well with a tour and beer tasting on the Thursday evening prior to the start of the festival on Friday, great attendance from marshals across multiple regions.
Glynn our recruitment coordinator had the privilege of awarding Malcolm Flippance with a small gift (racing themed cookies) to celebrate his 89^th Birthday, having been marshalling for 36 years and still regularly attending meetings (28 so far this year and 40 planned for 2025). Thank you, Malcolm, for everything you do and all the advice you have provided over the years.

In July we arranged a tour of the Prodrive factory and were joined by BRMC, a great turnout and overall.

Membership 
The membership currently stands at 3082 as of 25/08/2025.
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:

Upcoming Events 

Rally

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

Rally
 1 Manx Auto Sport is pleased to announce the return of the Chris Kelly Rally on the 4^th October 2025, supported by J &S Handling. Volunteer Radio Marshals, Timekeepers and Stage Marshals are required. If anyone would like to join their team, please contact Alison on 07624 205705 or email masmarshals@gmail.com 
2.The Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally to be held on 10^th/11^th and 12^th October 2025 is looking for additional marshals. There is a Marshal Financial Incentive available, all Marshals shall receive £30.00 per leg. 

For marshals go to https://form.jotform.com/243033640487354

For Radio Marshals go to https://mullrally.org/radio-reg/

3. Lindsay Kittens and Craig Munro Fisher are the Chief Marshals for the Scottish Borders Hill Rally to be run over the Forrest Estate, Galloway over the 14^th to 16^th November 2025. If you would like to volunteer then email staffing@scottish-hill rally.co.uk