Many people who have never drove at a organized
R/C Race track may have not heard this term before.
So I am going to start off with the basic definition
of a turn marshal. A Turn Marshal is driver that
immediately returns to the track turns over cars
after his or her race. Here are the responsibilities
of the turn marshal:
1)
Help maintain a clear race course for competitors.
2)
Assist vehicles that have become unable to move
because of a crash or spin.
3)
To remove from the track and disable vehicles
that are unable to continue because of mechanical
problems (By the shut off switch whenever possible
or unplugging the battery with electric vehicles
and the appropriate method to shut down a gas
vehicle).
Provide
an open race course for the rest of the racers
as QUICKLY and SAFELY as possible.
If you race, you have an obligation to Marshal.
Different tracks handle marshaling differently.
Some tracks have numbered pylons corresponding
with your starting position to indicate where
you assignment is. Others just allow you to pick
a corner or area of the track. In Either situation,
after your race is over, disable your vehicle
and return the transponder as quickly as possible
and go to your Marshalling position. This will
help the race day go smooth and as quickly as
possible.
Here
are the basics of turn marshaling:
1)
When on the track be sure you are not standing
in a driver’s line of sight or blocking
a view of a portion of the race track.
2) Stay focused on your assigned portion of the
racetrack. It is easy to get caught up in watching
the race and miss getting someone on their way
or clearing the track quickly in a crash.
3) First to crash is first to be flipped in multi
vehicle pileups.
4) Be impartial- Every driver and car should be
treated equally. Don't turn over a friend or family
members vehicle first if they were on the tail
end of a crash.
5) Never step into oncoming traffic to get a disabled
car. These vehicles, Electric or Gas are traveling
at a speed that could easily injure you if you
are struck by one of them. Wait for a reasonably
clear place to move to the disabled vehicle. MOVE
QUICKLY.
6) Never put a vehicle in the path of oncoming
traffic. The proper method is either wait until
traffic is past and reset or lift the car off
the track to keep other cars from hitting it and
then place it back in the race when traffic is
clear.
7) Set the vehicle, not throw it on the track
going in the right direction. Don't just turn
it over and let the driver to make a large turn
to get going in the right direction. Set the vehicle
in a position that the driver can quickly reenter
the race on his own. Be aware of vehicles that
have jumped over barriers. Put them on the track
where they left the track and not where they landed.
On tracks with a lot of switch backs this could
advance the vehicle unfairly ahead of competitors.
8) Attempt to repair minor damage if you can quickly,
(Popped Rod ends, loose batteries, dislocated
CVD’s, wedged in body parts, etc. Remember...
The Cars still in the race have priority!!!! If
you have to, hand the vehicle over to a friend
of the driver or just shut it off and tend to
the track.
9) If you are not able to Marshal the next race,
it is your responsibility to inform the track
officials or find a replacement marshal. At many
tracks you are penalized a lap or disqualified
for not Marshalling and not informing the officials.
10) Please remember when you are driving, Do not
scream at the marshals. Abusive language is not
acceptable. If they don't see your vehicle, then
yes you can get there attention. Treat people
like you want to be treated.
Here are a few things to be aware of. Be conscience
of areas of the vehicle that can harm you.
Gas engines have exhaust systems that get hot
and electric motors get very hot too. Be cautious
of moving parts. Wheels, axles, and flywheels
can all cause injuries. When on the drivers stand,
please wait until the Marshal has released your
vehicle for their safety, before hitting the throttle.
Make sure you don't have things in your pockets
that can fall out on the track as you are assisting
vehicles.
In
closing, there is a time and place for everything.
When you are marshalling a race, it is not the
time for a smoke or to eat. Surely you can wait
until the race is over for those things. There
is a saying that holds true, rf you don't like
being Marshaled don't crash. The most important
thing to remember is that we are all out there
to have fun.
Happy Racing and Marshaling,
-Heather-