2. Introduction to Speed Events
With thanks to The Motor Sports Training Trust
This presentation is not meant to be a complete insight into Speed Events.

3. What Is A Speed Event?
An event in which
Cars run individually over a course exceeding 200 Metres
The cars are competing against the clock as well as each other.
A Hill Climb or Sprint.
There can be more than 1 car on the course at any time, depending on the venue,
BUT NO OVERTAKING!.
There are 38Hill Climb and 47Sprint courses in the UK varying in length from 0.25 miles(Brighton Speed Trials) to miles (Lerghy Fissel Hill Climb on the Isle of Man). This doesn’t include Sprints run at Race Circuits.
The cars are timed to 1/100 of a second by use of light beams.
The cars must have a Timing Strut fixed to the front of the car. “Minimum vertical height 254mm, the bottom of which shall be not less than 180mm and not more than 200mm from the ground. The strut will be matt black on both sides, over its total area, which shall be not less than 254mm by 51mm”
The number of cars on the course is determined by the length of the track, the timing equipment, the start area crew and the Track Licence.
There are National Championships in both disciplines, as well combined Speed Championships, Club based and one make championships.

4. What is the difference between a Hill Climb & a Sprint?
To be classed as a Hill Climb the Finish must be 25% higher than the Start. i.e. if the Start is 600 feet above sea level, the finish must be at least 150 feet higher.
The Regulations are the same for both Hill Climbs and Sprints. The only difference is the Track Elevation.
Harewood Hillclimb
Curborough Sprint

5. Hill Climbs Shelsley Walsh Prescott Doune
If you look above the car on the left of the map you can see the height difference between the start & finish.
Doune

6. Sprints
Three sisters
Curborough
MIRA
Blyton

7. Permanent or temporary
If you are at a temporary venue
DO NOT MOVE THE STRAW BALES, TYRES ETC
this invalidates the track Licence.
Most of the Temporary Venues are on the Channel Islands, Isle of Man & Northern Ireland, with a few Temporary Venues on the Mainland.
Venues that are closed public roads or airfields are classed as temporary venues. Permanent venues are places like Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb or Curborough Sprint Course.
The MSA Steward can request that Straw bales etc are moved on grounds of Safety.

8. Cars
Cars will be anything from Road Going Cars to Ex F1 Single Seaters.

9. MARSHALLING

10. Start Procedure
The cars will be lined up in running order in the paddock by the Paddock Marshals
Cars start Singularly.

11. Start procedure
They will then be called to the tyre warming area by the Chief Start Area marshal
(Note: some venues do not actually permit tyre warming)
Once they have warmed their tyres they must proceed to the start line without stopping

12. Start Procedure
When the car reaches the start line a chock is placed behind the rear wheels if needed
In the photo you can see a car being chocked by the marshal (click for an arrow showing the chock)
The start beam (click for an arrow)
You can also see the green start light above on the side of the hut (click for an arrow)
and the car is lined up behind the start beam.

13. Start Procedure
Once the car is lined up. The course controller will take over. When the course is clear he will switch the start light to green.
Before moving on from this slide explain that the marshal’s are the eyes and ears of course control.
Emphasise the green light means the course is clear, the competitor may proceed when they are ready. The timing starts when the car has moved forward sufficiently to break the timing beam.
At most venues the Time Keeper must also press a button to allow the start light to operate.
When the car reaches a certain point on the course the Course Controller will be ready to release the next car.

14. Flags The only flag used for Speed Events is a RED flag.
The red flag means STOP immediately and await instructions from the marshals. Unlike at circuit races, cars must not continue slowly to the start line. Most sprint tracks are relatively narrow, so the car may have to be positioned to allow rescue and other vehicles to reach the incident. As many hillclimb and sprint cars have minimal cooling the stopped vehicle may need assistance in re-starting once the course is clear.
Unless it’s a Sprint or Pursuit Sprint at a Race Circuit, then normal Race Flags can be used. Blue Book Section Q5 (providing it is in the Supplementary Regulations for the event.)
STOP and await marshal’s instructions

15. Flags The Post Chief will ask the flag marshal to put out the RED flag
Post Chief then informs control
The Red flag goes from the post putting out the flag BACK to the Start
The putting out and taking in of the RED flag is accompanied by the blowing of a whistle.
Unlike a Race Circuit competitors must pull over and stop at a RED flag until instructed to move by the Marshals.
Emphasise the red flag travelling back down the course to the start to warn other competitors who might have started their run.

16. Incidents Emergency Safety
Normally there will be two calls, for assistance, from the Post Chief. These are SAFETY or EMERGENCY.
SAFETY is when a car spins without hitting anything or has a mechanical failure.
EMERGENCY is an impact or roll. As the Doctor at Loton Park defines it “ If you see a car have an accident that you would not like to be part of then its an Emergency” Its better to call an emergency if your not sure, rather than call a safety and then upgrade. Rescue crew do not mind being called and when they get there are not needed.
If the venue uses Radios the Post Chief will use it. If they have telephones it will be one of the team making the call. Normally the telephone is manned on a rota basis.
The Post Chief will decide on the call being used
Competition stops for an incident!
You will get Clerks & Rescue Units proceeding to an Emergency.

17. Volunteering
As many meetings and venues as you want – no minimum, no maximum, no pressure
You can volunteer through:
Your Club e.g. BMMC Regional Comp Secs
Circuit Chief Incident Officer
The internet -
Go Motorsport/Go Help
Insurance
Provided by MSA and some marshalling clubs
Where you go and what you do as a marshal is up to you. You may chose to stick with one club, one circuit or one type of racing, or you can go all over the country and marshal for a range of different clubs. You do as many or as few meetings as you want to.
There are a number of ways of volunteering, but once you start marshalling you soon will find yourself inundated with volunteering forms before the start of each season.
You can even volunteer using the Internet – go to
You just fill in the dates you want to do and send the forms back.
The MSA and some clubs provide limited insurance benefits which can cover you on your way to and from circuits as well as while you are marshalling.
Give various examples of how to volunteer including your own club as well as BMMC and any others you know. Let them have as wide a choice as possible.
You may get volunteering forms listing the same event from more than one club – particularly if one club is hosting another club’s championship or if there is a volunteering form for all the meetings at a particular circuit.
You must only volunteer once for a meeting, so either volunteer to one of the clubs or the circuit.
It goes without saying that you shouldn’t volunteer for more than one meeting on the same day.
Please keep a diary of all the meetings you have volunteered for and apologise and return tickets for meetings you find you cannot attend.
If you don’t, you could find yourself no longer invited to one or more clubs’ meetings.

18. Dressed for action?
Harewood 1979!

19. Dressed for Action  
The marshal on the left is obviously inappropriately dressed for ANY marshalling duty. Discuss why – point out the bare arms, t-shirt colour, sandals, etc. etc. - He has got a hat however – one good point.
The two marshals on the right are correctly dressed. Discuss the advantages of Proban overalls – protect, visibility, signal to others that they are marshals etc. Talk about clothing worn under the overalls – no nylon, natural fibres wherever possible.
However they are not completely kitted out – lead in to next slides

20. Protective Clothing Wear natural fibres Cover your arms
Loose fitting gloves
Stout boots
Don’t clash with the red flags
Be careful with waterproofs
Wear natural fibres (wool, cotton) or fireproof synthetics (eg Nomex) next to the skin. Although you should not get close enough to a fire for man-made fibres like nylon to melt, if they do they could adhere to your skin and cause burns.
Your clothing should cover your arms, legs and hands even in hot weather.
Many marshals wear orange Proban overalls as these give added protection as well as protection your ordinary clothes, making marshals easily recognisable and avoiding any risk of clothing clashing with flags.
Jeans, shirts and jumpers are perfectly acceptable, as long as they are made from natural fibres and aren’t the same colour as the flags.
Gloves. Must be dry and easy to remove. If wet there is a danger of scalding so carry a spare pair.
Wear stout, protective boots – work boots with steel toe caps and through soles or hiking boots. Don’t wear trainers or light shoes as these provide inadequate protection and soon become soaked by rain.
Always bring waterproof jackets and trousers. Fire proof waterproofs can be prohibitively expensive so you may have to buy waterproofs made of man made fibres, but avoid lightweight nylon waterproofs as these give inadequate protection.
Again, avoid clashing with flags. Buy orange or dark coloured waterproofs and not dayglo yellow.

21. Other Essentials Hat – for hot and cold weather. Plenty of food.
Drink – hot and cold, but
NO ALCOHOL
Ear plugs or ear defenders.
Sun cream
Always have a hat with you – and preferably two, to cope with cold weather and hot sun. We lose a high proportion of our heat through our heads in cold weather, while an uncovered head can cause problems in hot sun.
You can never guarantee that you will be able to buy food, so always bring plenty to keep you going during the day.
Bring plenty to drink as well – particularly in hot weather, when you may need to drink two or more litres of liquid during a day. Soup is a good way of keeping warm and keeping your calorie count up in cold weather.
Alcohol must not be drunk during the period you are on duty.
You should always have ear plugs or ear defenders with you. Some classes of racing produce high levels of noise which could damage your hearing and you could be allocated a duty in the pits or other area where you will be close to racing engines. Ear plugs are generally more convenient for marshals working with incident teams, but ear defenders may be better for flag marshals and people in the pits or assembly area.
Sun cream is another essential. Even on partially overcast days, you can easily get sunburnt, particularly on sensitive areas like the nape of your neck or top of your ears if you don’t take precautions.

22. Race Day Read instructions well in advance On arrival
Check tickets, instructions and sign-on location
Contact Chief Marshal if unsure
Leave home in plenty of time
On arrival
Go straight to sign-on – ask if unsure of location
Tell sign-on staff if you are new to marshalling or the circuit
When you get your tickets, you will usually also receive a letter telling you what entrance to use, where and when to sign on and other information you might need.
Make sure you read the instructions as things can change depending on who is organising the meeting and how big the meeting is.
If there is anything you don’t understand, contact the chief marshal or whoever sent you the tickets and make sure you leave home in plenty of time to get to the event.
Go straight to sign-on when you get there – or, if you are late for any reason, go to Race Control.
Make sure you tell the Sign-On staff you are new to marshalling or the circuit and ask if there is anything about the day you don’t understand.

23. Arriving on Post Leave Sign-on in plenty of time Drive carefully
Circuit may have speed/noise limits
Other marshals, circuit staff and race officials will be on circuit
Park in a safe place
Sign in, on post
Tell I/O your experience level
Help set up post
At sign on you need to check what time you need to be on post and how to get there.
Take care whether you are driving to post through spectator areas or on the circuit. If you are using the circuit to go to post you should drive in race direction, but, you could still meet someone coming the other way. The circuit may have speed and noise limits which apply outside practice and race sessions and other marshals, circuit staff and officials may be using the circuit, or stopped on the circuit, repairing or installing something.
Make sure you park in a safe place and, if there are restrictions on where you can park, obey them.
When you get to your post, sign on with your Post Chief and tell both the Post Chief and the Incident Officer, who will be running the incident team, what your experience level is before helping to put the equipment out.

24. Look after Safety Priorities Yourself Your Colleagues The Driver(s)
The Spectators
The Cars
Your own safety is top priority for two reasons: First, you don’t want to get hurt and we don’t want any marshals to get hurt. Secondly, if you do get hurt, it means that the marshalling team is doubly depleted because you aren’t around to help deal with the incident and someone will have to look after you.
Similarly, if a colleague gets hurt, the marshalling team is doubly depleted, so you need to look after your colleagues. Warn them or pull them out of the way if you spot a danger like a car or debris coming towards them, which they have not noticed. Tell them if you spot a problem while you and they are dealing with an incident.
The driver comes next because they may be in danger because of a racing incident, but they are usually protected to some degree by their car. You can use the car for protection, but you don’t get as much protection as you would if you were inside it.
Spectators are further down the priority list because you are between them and the track. If you were continually watching for problems behind you, you would be putting yourself in danger. Spectators are further away and usually protected by fencing, but they can end up in dangerous positions. Young spectators who have eluded the gaze of their parents may wander under barriers and spectators may try to get into prohibited areas to get a better picture.
Cars can create dangers of their own, so moving them to a place of safety is a priority, however, dealing with a car is usually a spin off from the higher priorities of protecting people from danager.

25. Marshals’ Jobs Safety – the top priority
Check and deploy Post Equipment
Report problems to the Post Chief
Track maintenance
Check track and deal with any problems between sessions
Deal with incidents
Safely and Rapidly
Clear up
After incidents
At the end of the day
When you arrive at a circuit, the first thing to do is to sign on, find out which marshal’s post you have been allocated to, how to get there, where it is safe to park your car and what time you should be on post. Once you arrive on post in a morning you will normally sign on again with the post Post Chief .
It’s not a bad idea to check the escape routes - whether you can roll under fencing, jump down a bank, get through a gap or get down behind a solid barrier in the event of a car heading towards you.
Before racing starts, marshals check the equipment on the post and put it out where it is likely to be needed. If anything is missing or faulty, it should be reported to the Post Chief or Incident Officer so that it can be replaced.
One or two marshals will check the track between sessions, if there is time. They are looking for spillages, debris or even tools dropped from competing cars or course vehicles, as well as damage to the track, kerbing, grass or barriers, which should be reported to the Post Chief or Incident Officer.
The most important job is to deal with incidents when they happen, as safely and rapidly as possible, to keep the meeting running and lose as little time from practice and racing as possible.
Lastly, you will need to clear up after incidents, helping break down operators, getting rid of gravel and spillages on the track and, at the end of the day, make sure all the equipment is packed away.

26. Brooms, Shovels and Rakes Track dressing material Flags Telephone
Post Equipment
Extinguishers
Brooms, Shovels and Rakes
Track dressing material
Flags
Telephone
Waste Bin
Use it – not the Tyre Walls or
Take your rubbish home with you
What sort of equipment will you find on marshals’ posts?
Two different types of fire extinguishers, rakes to restore gravel traps to as nearly as possible the condition they were in before a car ended up in them, shovels to help you dig out cars that have “bottomed” in a gravel trap and to spread plaster, cement dust or sand used to mop up oil spillages and brooms to sweep the track dressing material, clear debris and remove gravel from the racing line in particular and the track, in general.
There should also be a set of flags and some warning boards, a telephone, or some other means of communicating with Race Control and a waste bin.
Please use the bins – and not the tyre walls – for your rubbish, or take it home.

27. Don’t Do During Sessions Stay alert Smoke Watch race traffic
Use mobile ‘phones
Sit or kneel down
Stand in large groups
Stand with your back to traffic Do
Stay alert
Watch race traffic
Look for problems
Loose Bodywork
Spillages
Falling objects
Driver behaviour
Spectators
Media
Keep alert during practice, racing and whenever you are out on the track between sessions.
Marshalling is different from spectating. Try to keep your eyes on the direction the cars are coming from, because that is where the danger is. You may sometimes have to look in the other direction or run to an incident further round the track, but try to minimise the time you are looking away from the direction the traffic is coming from.
Keep an eye out for any problems and report them to your Observer or Incident Officer. Watch out for loose bodywork, liquids spilling from a car, bits falling off and erratic or questionable driving.
Make sure spectators and the media don’t get into restricted areas or dangerous positions and anticipate any problems you might have getting to an incident because of photographers or film crew in your way.
Neither you nor anyone else on the track side of the spectator barrier should be smoking during practice session or races, or while out on the track between sessions.
If you want to smoke or need to make a mobile ‘phone call, wait until between the sessions and do it on the marshals’ post.
If you sit or kneel down for a rest during practice or racing you won’t be able to react as quickly and if there is a large number of you in a group you risk getting in each others way.
Last, but not least, to repeat the earlier safety point, don’t stand with your back to the traffic

28. Onboard Systems
Not all sprint and hillclimb cars carry on-board extinguishers and many will use just the standard ignition switch to control electrical functions
OFF
Electrical cut off isolates the power supply to stop fuel being pumped into a hot engine
On-board fire extinguishers direct extinguishant to where it is most needed
S10.6 All competing cars should be equipped with an electrical cut off switch (this may be the standard ignition switch). This must be marked with the electrical cut-off symbol shown on the slide. An external circuit breaker is mandatory for all cars except road going classes and historic vehicles of periods A-E
Where required cars may also have a means of operating a plumbed in on board system from outside. Note that on-board fire extinguishers are only recommended, not mandatory.
You should know the difference between the electrical cut off and extinguisher symbols.
When a car comes off and doesn’t restart, the power must be isolated to stop fuel being pumped into a hot engine.
Sometimes the same switch operates both the power cut off and the extinguisher, so it’s best to ask the driver to turn the power off.
Don’t hesitate to use on-board extinguishers if there is a fire. They direct the extinguishant to where it is most needed.
Familiarise yourself with the cars and their safety systems. Find out where the fuel tank is and the external extinguisher and fuel cut off switches. Are they in the same place? Are they both operated by the same switch? E

29. D Disabled Driver Non-pump fuel Other warning signs
Any driver with a congenital deformity of any limb, or amputation, or any other disability, or who is registered as a paraplegic, hemiplegic, or quadriplegic or who has lost a limb must carry a white “D” 60mm in height on a blue background 90mm by 90mm on both sides of the vehicle adjacent to the side numbers to alert marshals in case of an incident.
If a car is using non-pump fuel (methanol, LPG etc) they must display a dayglo orange disk 3” in diameter affixed immediately adjacent to their competition numbers on both sides. Remember Methanol reacts differently to fire extinguishant – it actual neutralises the foam. It is also highly corrosive to skin – if you come into contact with it you will need to wash your skin with copious amounts of water. The fuel may also be diesel – although you can fight it with foam and dry powder it may be more resistant to their effects.

30. Hand Signals
Stop
The “DOCTOR” signal - one arm held up straight - may be used to summon a doctor, paramedic or ambulance personnel who are on the post
The “AMBULANCE” signal is arms crossed at the wrists and held above the head. This should only be used for an injury in the crowd or to summon assistance when a driver has been removed from a vehicle and been taken ill on the banking. The ambulance will usually arrive via the spectator area, though urgent cases may also require a Rescue Unit.
The “RESCUE” signal is arms held out sideways level with the shoulders. This should be used if a driver is trapped or needs medical assistance and you don’t have a doctor, paramedic or ambulance personnel on the post.
The “SAFE TO CROSS” signal is a sweeping movement with one arm as if ten pin bowling.
The “STOP” signal is a hand held up in the stop position.

31. Fire Fighting Aims Fight fires -
Safely, Effectively and Rapidly
Reach a burning vehicle and have the fire under control or extinguished in 30 seconds
Marshals are taught to fight fires safely, effectively and rapidly, with the aim of reaching the car and having the fire under control of extinguished within 30 seconds.

32. OXYGEN HEAT FUEL The Triangle of Fire Remove one element The fire dies
You must have three things in order to have a fire
Something to burn
Oxygen
Enough heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature.
Remove any one and the fire will go out.
You can:
Remove heat with a cool liquid - water, foam - or a dry powder extinguisher
Remove fuel - turn off the fuel supply, remove flammable materials or remove the vehicle from the flammable material – for example, push it off dry grass and onto hard standing.
Remove Oxygen - seal with foam

33. Dry Powder Knocks down flames Make sure the wind is behind you
Use in short bursts
Empty in 20 seconds
Start from 12 feet away
Direct at base of fire
Stored pressure extinguishers operate slightly faster than the other type.
Use the Dry Powder extinguisher first to knock the flames down.
Make sure the wind is behind you and deliver short bursts of powder. If you just squeeze the trigger you will exhaust the extinguisher in about 20 seconds.
If the driver is still in the car, you should focus on keeping the flames away from the cockpit. If the driver is out, target the main seat of the fire.
Make sure you don’t walk through any flames and start from about 12 feet away, directing the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
If you get too close, the pressure will spread the flames.
Dry powder extinguishers provide cooling and, if the powder is a special type of powder called Monex, it also interferes with the chemical reaction sustaining the fire.

34. Dry Powder Checks Stored pressure Pin Pipe Powder Pressure Weight
Cartridge
Pin
Pipe
Powder
Weight
European Union regulations say fire extinguishers must be red or unpainted stainless steel with a coloured label or band to indicate the type of extinguisher.
A Blue label indicates a Dry Powder extinguisher. The extinguisher is two thirds full of powder, with Nitrogen or air under pressure, stored in the extinguisher itself or Carbon Dioxide, stored in a sealed cylinder inside the extinguisher which is punctured when the trigger is squeezed.
The stored pressure extinguisher can be distinguished by the fact it has a pressure gauge.
You should check the:
Pin - ensure the pin is present and secure.
Pressure - if the extinguisher has a pressure gauge, check the needle is in the middle section of the gauge.
Pipe - check the hose is not blocked and is intact. Hoses become frayed with age and damaged where they bend.
Powder - The powder in an extinguisher will settle and form a plug at the bottom if the extinguisher is left to stand for a long period. Turn the extinguisher upside down and put it on your shoulder. Listen for the powder moving. If it does not, shake the extinguisher to loosen it.
Weight - be suspicious of light bottles.

35. Foam Excludes air by forming a film over the surface
Provides additional cooling
Allow to fall on the surface
Wash clothing if you get foam on yourself to avoid damage
Once the flames have been knocked down by dry powder extinguishers, foam extinguishers are used to to seal the site of the fire and any fuel spills.
The powder extinguishers and the foam extinguishers provide cooling and the foam seals the site from air, removing a second part of the triangle of fire.
Foam should be allowed to fall onto the site of the fire to cool and form a film excluding air from fuel.
You should wash any clothing which gets liquid or foam from the foam extinguisher on it as soon as possible as it will damage the maaterial.
Extinguishers that are faulty must be reported and replaced. Lay them down on the edge of the track for collection at the end of the day or leave them as requested by the circuit.

36. Foam Checks Stored pressure Pin Pipe Pressure Weight Cartridge Pin
The extinguisher with the Cream coloured label is filled with water and a special type of detergent. They are called Light Water Foam or Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Extinguishers.
The liquid mixture is forced out of the cylinder by compressed gas which, like the dry powder extinguisher, is also stored in the extinguisher or in a sealed cylinder inside it.
As the water and detergent come out of the pipe, they mix with air to form the foam.
The checks are similar to the those carried out on Dry Powder extinguishers – except for the fact that there is liquid, rather than powder inside, so you don’t have to worry about ensuring they don’t go solid.
Check the:
Pin - ensure the pin is present and secure.
Pressure - if the extinguisher has a pressure gauge, check the needle is in the middle section of the gauge.
Pipe - check the hose is not blocked and is intact. Hoses become frayed with age and damaged where they bend.
Weight - be suspicious of light bottles.

37. Onboard Systems Mechanical or electrical One or two bottles Foam-based
Can be thermally triggered
May not work upside down
Twice as much to engine bay as cockpit
On board fire extinguishers which are plumbed in will be foam-based.
They can be set off manually or electrically – in which case they will operate using a dedicated battery.
If they have been properly fitted, twice as much foam is delivered into the engine bay than the cockpit because that is where the more intense fire is likely to take hold.
Plumbed in systems do not always work if the car is upside down.

38. Experienced Speed Marshal
Speed grading scheme
Upgrading to Examining Speed Marshal
requires club nomination & MSA approval
Examining Speed Marshal
20 days as Post Chief + 2 Training days
Fire, Report Writing, Communication, Mentoring, Leadership
Speed Post Chief
20 days as Post Chief or Deputy + 2 Training days Report Writing, Communication & Leadership
Experienced Speed Marshal
20 days duties + 2 Speed training days,
Flag, Incident, Fire, Basic First Aid
Note:
Each upgrade requires an assessment by an Examining Speed Marshal
To maintain a grade needs 4 days per annum +1 training day bi-annually
Speed Marshal
15 days + 1 Training day Fire, Flag,
Basic speed marshalling
Trainee Marshal
Optional entry point
Cadet
yr old Trainee

40. Acknowledgements
Club logos
Venue thanks etc
With the support of the Motor Sport Training Trust
Many thanks to the various marshals and MSA Trainers who have been delivering these modules in the past and who have undoubtedly provided valuable input to this module