Getting involved in motorsport is about more than the people who work within the sector. Fans of racing play huge roles during the racing weekends to ensure things run smoothly. Two of the main ways you can get involved is through being a Race Maker or a Marshal! Both are volunteer roles where you receive training to ensure you can perform essential roles during the race weekend, whether that’s directing crowds to safe locations or cleaning up the track after an incident so racing can get going again.
The Girls Across The Grid community is full of people who already undertake these roles and here is what some of them had to say about it:
Where did you learn about the position?
I personally learnt about becoming a marshal when I sat next to a group pf marshals in a restaurant in London! They had just finished marshalling Formula E in 2021 and we all started talking about the race. They told me I could sign up for a taster day online and within 2 weeks I was at my first event.
Tara is very new to the world of Marshalling and learnt about it when attending a Girls on Track event. As a sport governance/law student it immediately stood out as an exciting prospect, she has really enjoyed her first few events as a Paddock Marshal and Start-Line Marshal!
Scarlet learnt about Marshalling while attending the British Grand Prix in 2022 and started a couple of weeks later! Her parents have always been involved in motorsport, so she saw it as a blessing to be able to get involved in a different way and make a difference to race days.
Jo learnt about Marshalling through Facebook when a local car club put out a message for volunteers. She found it very daunting at first but enjoyed her day so much she came back the following year to volunteer again. It was there where two registered Marshalls convinced her to sign up full time.
Katia found out about marshalling from a marshal! He was at an event as a marshal and told her how to sign up and she got her certification in Italy in 2004 and continued marshalling until 2014 when she moved to the UK.
Beverley is a lifelong motorsport fan and after attending the 2021 British Grand Prix saw the racemakers walking around and decided to apply. She joined in 2022 and has done nearly all event where racemakers are needed so this year has been promoted to team leader.
What’s the best part about the role?
For me, the best part about being a marshal is the confidence its given me. I never thought I would have the confidence to go along to an event by myself, not knowing anyone there, and have an amazing day laughing, joking, and watching the racing! Oh, and the view isn't too bad trackside!
As told by Tara, no two days are the same. You get the opportunity to work in so many different areas from admin duties like signing in competitors, to crowd control, to clearing the track after an incident.
Scarlet loves being able to meet new and interesting people who she wouldn’t have come across otherwise. Everyone has a different background and life story with a collection of experiences to learn about while you are chatting throughout the day.
Jo loves meeting new people. Everyone is so friendly, and you are meeting people who genuinely love what they do whether its drivers, other Marshals, circuit staff, everyone is passionate about the sport.
Katia is all about being close to the action! Being trackside at a race event or being on track for a rally stage is really exciting and defiantly the best seat in the house.
Beverley’s favourite part is helping out attendees as she is always in a customer service role rather than a grandstand attendant. It is hard work and is not something to do if you’re just looking to watch the F1 for free. It a hugely rewarding role and Beverly is very proud to be a part of the Silverstone family and give something back to the sport she loves and has been able to enjoy.
Why would you encourage other women to get involved?
I would encourage as many women to get involved as possible to build on the already amazing community we have. There is so often a stigma around women getting involved in a "traditionally male" sport and the more women we have that can push that boundary means we are closer than ever to eliminating it completely.
Tara can say with certainty that there are not enough women marshalling! Despite fitting in with everyone straight away and being made to feel very welcome she was the only woman her age at the events she’s worked and on occasion has been the only woman at all! It's so friendly and there is a brilliant atmosphere so she can’t recommend it enough!
As Scarlet put it, it’s a completely unique experience and every day is different, and it builds your confidence in other areas of life. Scarlet had the opportunity to Marshal the 2024 British Grand Prix and although was terrified she knew she would be surrounded by lovely people, and she did something she hadn’t thought had been possible just a couple of years earlier!
At one of the events Jo marshalled this year, she was on the finish line in a team of all female marshals, and they were the dream team! She has always been made to feel welcome but working in an all-female team was particularly special.
Katia says more women should be marshals because why not! Women make exceptional marshals and can have a real impact on the race. Clearing things off track after an incident can drastically change the outcome of a race depending on how long it takes to clear and being a part of that action is like nothing else.
Beverley would encourage everyone to get involved! Everyone has a part to play in and motorsport is a team sport where everyone plays a supporting role to deliver a first class event and keep it enjoyable for everyone.
Your personal highlight?!
My personal highlight is from Super Touring Power 2023 at Brands Hatch. I was on a post located in the middle of the start grid. Watching the cars come around a grid up before taking off at top speed was incredible and then being there to watch the winner cross the line and the chequered flag waved was surreal.
Despite her short marshalling career so far, Tara’s favourite memory is from her first event at Llandow where on the last run of the day both the drivers and spectators went out there way to thank the Marshals and she felt very valued as a volunteer. It was one of the many things that’s kept her coming back!
For Scarlet, it’s all about the people, every time she Marshalls she makes a new favourite memory, and she hears from new people about the experience they have had.
For Jo it’s the banter and chat! Having a good laugh while doing something you love is something very special.
Katia’s favourite memory is from the 2006 Imola Grand Prix. After the race, the Marshalls can go to the box to help the technician to weigh all the cars, and she got put in charge of the Williams driven by Nico Rosberg! She was on the side of the car using the steering wheel to direct the car while other pushed it and as a huge Williams fan, she said actually getting to touch the car and direct it was surreal! After that she got to assist with the McLaren driven by Kimi Räikkönen and it was 'fantastic'.
Beverley’s personal highlight is getting to carry the giant Union Jack onto the MotoGP grid in 2023, and she cried behind her sunglasses! Another highlight for Beverley was when she was able to help reunite a lost child with his parents after searching for them almost the entire race. Seeing the look on their faces when she helped to reunite them will stay with her forever.
Being close to the action and involved in the day can be highly rewarding and great fun for everyone. There is defiantly still a higher percentage of men than women who take on the roles of Marshals and Racemakers but as word spread and more people sign up and give it a try the number are equalling out! Spending your day as a Marshal or Racemaker can be long and sometimes scary as you face new challenges and incidents, but the incredibly friendly atmosphere and the camaraderie shared between teams make is a magical experience that everyone should try. When being a part of the support groups needed to keep events safe and running you will meet people from all walks of life. For some it will be their first time at an event, and they will have no idea what to do but for others it could be their 50th year in the role. The stories shared and the memories created will stick with you for a lifetime.
Not only does being involved get you close to the action, but it can offer you the opportunity to be at the heart of decision making and have a real impact on the future of the sport. I spoke to Nadine Lewis who was the first female National Chair of the British Motorsport Marshals Club (BMMC).
Nadine first found out about Marshalling after a friend of hers heard about it on the radio. She went along to a taster day run at Oulton Park 27 years ago and never looked back! Like many of us she didn’t know it was voluntary and didn’t know you could pick and choose which events you did. Working full time, she knew she would be able to get time off but with the system in place to choose when you can attend it make it a lot easier.
Nadine had been on the regional committee for a number of years as Secretary, Membership Secretary, and Taster Day organiser. When the position of National Chair became available she had huge imposter syndrome and didn’t think she could do it but a good friend who was also on the committee said she had nothing to lose by trying! She put herself forward and got voted in. Overall, she would consider it a positive experience. There was a lot of work involved and as it is also a voluntary position it took up all her spare time and holidays to focus on. She was still out on track marshalling at the weekends as she sees this as something she can never give up! Nadine not only raised the profile of the club but raised the profile of women in the sport ensuring that the voice of not just volunteers, but females was brought loud and clear to Motorsport UK.
The highlight of her marshalling career so far is when she was asked to present the second-place trophy to Sergio Perez at the 2022 British Grand Prix. She was there to represent all the volunteers on behalf of Motorsport UK and was only told she was doing it the Wednesday before hand! Nadine said it was an honour that she will never forget.
Nadine has since stepped down as National Chair of the BMMC but has left an incredible legacy behind. She is still a marshal and now runs the taster days for newbies looking to follow in her footsteps.
To find out more about applying to be a Racemaker, click here: https://www.silverstone.co.uk/about/volunteering/race-makers
To find out more about becoming a marshal, click here: https://www.marshals.co.uk/join/
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