Sporting Trials marshalling is somewhat more relaxed than circuit marshalling but you do get more involved with the drivers and how the event is run.
The Day
Competition usually starts around 10:30am so there is no rush to get to the venue, you can usually arrive by 9:30 to 10:00 and then attend the marshals briefing. A typical event has 2 rounds of competition in the morning and 1 or 2 rounds in the afternoon (daylight dependant) and the competition will usually finish sometime after 3:30 pm.
The Scoring
As a marshal you act as the official scorer for the hill/section you are on. The scoring works backwards, so the lower the driver stops on the hill, the higher their score, with the scoring running from 12 down to 0 if they clear the hill.
The Drivers
The drivers will usually walk the hill before each attempt as they will want to see how the ground has changed and to see if any changes have been made to the hill. They will probably have a chat with the marshals to see where problem areas are and to check out how well (or badly) their nearest competitors are doing. They are generally a friendly bunch and if you are a regular marshal then a certain amount of mickey taking may take place!
Once the driver has made their attempt – they will come to you to check their score (if/when Covid rules relax then they will ask you to put the score down on their personal score card). You will also have a hill card on which you record the score for that hill of all the drivers who come to you – hopefully your card and the drivers card match!
General
Sporting Trials is unique amongst motorsport as the hills may well be amended between rounds as bits prove too easy or hard. As such the CoC will be wandering around and will pick your brains about problem area. If they want anything changed before the next round starts then they will ask you to move the relevant poles to ease or tighten the hill as required. The competitors will dismantle the course and take the poles etc back to the parking area, if you wish to give them a hand they will be happy to accept help but it’s not expected.
Normally it’s a good fun day out in the woods or some windswept hillside where you can get really up-close and personal with competitors and their cars. It is prudent to bring suitable wet weather gear as sometimes the heavens do open and as always, suitable footwear is essential.
Hope that gives you a flavour of the day.