I'm getting ridiculously over-excited at the prospect of the forthcoming season. It's really hard not having any cars to watch for so many months. Race Retro at Stoneleigh is opening the season then there's F3/GTs at Oulton and Donington, HSCC at Cadwell and Donington to start off with before the season really gets into its stride.

Whatever you attend, enjoy it. The motorsport scene in this country is so endlessly wonderful, every year I get more and more pleasure from wandering a paddock full of powerful cars. Amazing!

No it's not! 750 Motor Club at Mallory Park on 11 March is opening the season (as always!) ;-)

What about the Pomeroy trophy last weekend?

Also can't wait for LMS, Britcar 24, Silverstone Classic, Birkett Relay, etc, etc, etc.

Season for me starts with the traditional "Stig's Birthday Meet" at Pembrey - oh yes, you know it's a new season when you get trucks in april!

<doh> Forgot that one!

Mallory's not far from Leeds, haven't been since BOSS in 1997! I'll see if the lady fancies trying motorsport for the first time that weekend...

Obvious highlights will be the Goodwoods, the Gold Cup, the Classic, GPLive, See Red, FIA GTs and LMS. In fact looking at photos of the revival meeting just brought a tear to my eye. I miss that place so bad. The sight and sound of Maserati 4CM and 6CMs flat out against the ERA hoards is a sight which could never, ever lose its appeal. Shame I was born 50yrs too late!

Anyone fancy keeping me company at the 24hrs? My dad doesn't have the stamina these days and I have no automotive friends!

Which 24? I can think of several.

I was referring to the Britcar race as it was mentioned in an earlier post...

Jolly good. A great race which I can thoroughly recommend. Perhaps you might consider marshalling the 24, plenty of company there.

Was supposed to be looking into marshalling this year but recording and touring with my band has recently been occupying my time. Can I get trained up in time for the start of the season? If so, is there anywhere near Leeds? I've been promising this to myself for about 12 months now; feel like I ought to act upon it! I love my band but motorsport is and always will be my number one passion.

It's changed a little since then!

Should be a great meeting, with full grids stock and hot hatches. It might not be quite up to your exacting standards, but as an introduction for your lady, it might be fun for her.

You should be fine by September. Oulton is not too much of a trek.

www.marshals.co.uk will have a list of training days.

I think we have some BMMC North members on here somewhere who can help you out even more.

Why don't you give Harewood Hillclimb a try? It's a wonderful place and great for getting involved in marshalling for the first time.

Oulton or Croft

you don't need formal training to start, you learn "on the job" so to speak

Find yourself a good meeting, find out who's running it and look up the club

if you get stuck, ask us.

(for reference, Croft is Darlington, Oulton is more like Liverpool, there's also Cadwell in Linconshire, or Knockhill further north)

When I lived in Wakefield I used to marshal at Oulton, Donington and Mallory (as well as Harewood). All are within a couple of hours drive.

Haha! No such thing as exacting standards, I was brought up in a village called Burwardsley just 15mins from Oulton Park so I spent most summer weekends from the age of about 5/6 going to every conceivable meeting - bikes, cars, anything! I was extremely fortunate that my father indulged me so much but I've been lucky enough to see just about every form of club racing at some point. We even went to the RAC rally when it featured a Special Stage there.

These days I mainly end up at the bigger meetings as there are so many good ones! I haven't been to a 750MC meeting in probably 10yrs so I will definately see if my better half fancies it.

This weekend I am going to Donington to pay my respects to the statue of Roger Williamson. I read the account of his death in "The Lost Generation" a few weeks ago; I haven't been so distraught since my granny died 15yrs ago. No printed text has ever had such a profound effect on me before. At least a couple of times a year motorsport drives me to tears of joy but that chapter left me feeling numb.

Sorry to end on a negative; that trip will be the start of my motorsport year though I suppose...

Yeah I went to a Hillclimb at Harewood for the first time last year, was good except for the rain! I prefer the hill at Loton really though, it's more dramatic! I keep promising myself a long overdue trip to Shelsley Walsh actually.

I will make a point of making contact with an organising club and getting involved this year...I've been on the sidelines too long! Do you guys stil get a kick out of it? Is it as rewarding as I'm hoping it will be?

I'm going very quickly mad, due to a lack of motorsport.

We wouldnt do it if we didnt still enjoy it. The most rewarding time of a race meeting is when a driver thanks you or offers his hand. I find it hard to explain but when it happens it just feels great as you know you've helped or done a good job.

I've only been doing it a year. and yes it is as rewarding as we say it is!


And I'm with Ed, the best bit is when the drivers acknowlege you're there.

I second that!

I'm now in my 16th year and whitestar's into his 21st (I think).

Yes, there are times when I question my own sanity, but on the whole I love it still.

When did sanity ever come into it?

That's awesome, thanks dudes! I've been obsessed with the sport since I could first walk and talk so this is a natural step to take I reckon. I'll keep you posted on how I get along!

What's sanity?

Looks like might be bumping into a few forum members at Mallory <yes>

Look forward to seeing cars and some familiar faces too :D

gilles - I first marshalled at a sprint - good way to get started IMO - enjoy!

I think a hillclimb at Harewood this year would probably be my best place to start; nice and close to home and the relative informality of those events would be less intimidating than starting at a bigger event. The single car format I imagine would be less confusing as well.

I'm looking into the Mallory event, a spanner has been thrown in the works for my plans but will keep you posted, would be great to meet some of you guys at some point this season whatever!