A Flag Marshal's Journey

Sunday, 5 April 2015

Shannons Nationals Sandown RD1 27th - 29th March 2015

Well another great w/end working one up on post 6.0 on Friday and Post 9.0 on Saturday with myself & Paul Meade on Flags, Garry Sector and Terry on Comms. Friday was a bit wet but a good day with cars into the wall between 6.0 and 9.0 and a V8 roll over in the last event all drivers came out ok cars not so much. Saturday was much the same with plenty of spin outs and report writing keeping us on our toes the day was dryer with just a light shower.Great team on a busy cnr plenty of action to keep you alert and makes the day go fast.
Categories of cars competing were Aust super six Touring cars, Formula Fords, Aust Manuf Championship, Kerrick Sports Sedans, Formula 3, Radicals, Kumho V8 Touring Cars and Porsche GT3. Next event at Phillip Island State round 18th & 19th April.

Lunch

Post 6.0

Looking down through Turns 7.0, 8.0 and post 9.0

These action shots thanks to http://www.photographybyrebeccathompson.com/

Sunday, 15 March 2015

Melbourne AGP March 2015

Well another year of F1 come and gone 2015 saw a dry track and cooler weather apart from Saturday where it got to about 30c. I was back with the same team from the previous two years we were assigned post 8 drivers left. This a fast sweeping right hand bend but not a lot happens apart from seeing a few cars spin off near post 7 we had no incidents in our area but when you are with a great team having fun and working together it doesn't matter where you are posted. With four flaggies myself, Sarah, Matt and Trevor four track Marshals, Two on comms and Paul Baxter as sector Marshal all of us work well has a team and make it a enjoyable four days.
Again this year we had the Shannons Historic Demonstration, MSS V8 Super Cars, Porsche Carrera Cup and Heritage Touring cars which replaced the Celebrity Challenge also again we had the Speed comparison Demonstration.
Working all Four days arriving about 7.30am each morning and leaving about the 7.30pm each night makes for about 50 hours at the event. It was good to be able to catch up with marshals that you may only see once or twice a year from Interstate or our International visitors.
We had our pit lane walk on Thursday night but not many cars on show and being posted around the back of the track there was not much close by to take photos of so a bit limited this year. Will post my full album on my Facebook page A Flag marshals Journey. Next event for me is Shannons Nationals at Sandown Raceway March 27th to 29th until then stay safe have fun.

Marshals at Muster Area

Post 8.0 Marshals Tent

Looking to post 8.3

Looking to post 7 Drivers right

Post 8.0

Me

Roulettes

Saturday, 7 March 2015

Phillip Island Classic March 6-8 2015

First event at Phillip Island for he year Phillip Island Classic always a great event with plenty of historic cars 510 on the day so some big fields of cars and plenty to do for spectators with car displays and entertainment all w/end this year also they had a street parade in Cowes.
Also celebrated 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang.
Worked flag point 2.0 on Friday and 4.0 on w/end. Friday was wet and windy lots of spins but nothing big and no reports to write. Saturday we had a formula Ford hit full speed into the flag point spraying us with stones but all good driver ok, it really pays to have a Hans device even the driver said he was glad he had it on I recon it might have knocked him unconscious if he didn't have it.
rest of day plenty of spin offs and about 6 reports for car to car contact.
The Category's were Div 1 & Div 2 Regularity, Historic Touring Cars under 3L and Over 3L, Group Sa & Sb, M&O Sports Racing, Q&R Sports Cars, Formula Ford and Formula Vee, J,K,Lb & invited, Q&R Racing and F 5000, Group Sc, 5L Touring Cars Demonstration.
Well a few days rest and down to Albert Park for Melbourne AGP F1.
Enjoy the photos will post a full album on my FB page A Flag Marshals Journey.
Stay safe

Saturday Muster

Post 2.0

2.0

Post 4.0

Sunday, 15 February 2015

Champion of Winton 15th Feb 2015

A Small event to kick off Winton's Racing year. Headed up to Winton from home Saturday about a three hour drive to meet up with fellow Team mates at the Bunkhouse that's provided for officials working at the track. Off loaded my gear and claimed my bunk for the night and we headed down to the Benalla Golf Club for some Tea,Drinks and a good laugh.
The Categories were Super TTs, Excels and Pulsar challenge due to the small size of the event it was decided that after every two events we would all move one flag point forward to make things interesting we had about a 10min Gap so i started at 1.0 for practice moved to 2.0 for Qualifying 3.0 for R1 4.0 R2 and 5.0 for Race 3 this was a good way for everyone to warm up and blow off the cobwebs for the race season ahead.
We came off track for lunch which is the norm for Winton and had a nice Chicken Wrap with a piece of fruit can of drink and bag of potato chips all went down well. To my surprise Chief flag came up to me just when I started eating and said I am second to go for some hot laps in Pedders Toyota 86 WOW!......... perhaps I shouldn't have eaten that Chicken Wrap. With Grant Phillips Driving we headed off maybe not as fast as a V8 But still 170km into turn 2.0 and 145 into turn 11 the way it Brakes and goes into the cnr you know you are in a race car that's for sure.
Getting out and readjusting the man jewels with a slightly higher pitched voice I could go and finish lunch thinking I just love doing this stuff so much no matter what else comes along this race season this has made it all worth while. Thanks to all those who organized this for us Officials and Thanks to Grant Phillips and his Team for their time and car really was appreciated by all.
.Well that's all Phillip Island Classic next on March 7th & 8th.

Flag Post 1.0

Anyone know this guy? He keeps following me

PEDDERS TOYOTA 86

GRANT PHILLIPS AND ME READY FOR HOT LAPS

Monday, 9 February 2015

Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour 2015

Well Hello Everyone and welcome to 2015 for the first Motorsport Event and one I think is the Best in Australia at the Moment. The LIQUI MOLY 12 HOUR at Bathurst.
This Year for some unforeseen circumstances I had to pull out of being a Flag Marshal at this event but still I was able to attend to get some photos and support my Marshal friends.
Held over three days with support categories having Practice and Qualifying and 12 hour cars having Practice on Friday.
Support categories were Formula Ford, Improved Production and Radical Sportcars all with great racing and Large Fields. Saturday we had two races for each support Group with Practice and Qualifying for 12 hour cars. Sunday the 12 hour race started at 5.50am and finished at 5.50pm and with Channel 7 having Live Broadcast and Live Stream from Bathurst 12 hour site I am sure many of you had an opportunity to watch it. But nothing like being there track-side with 37000 other people to really appreciate those mean machines the sounds of the Bentley and Merc's and not forgetting the old Daytona Coupe which sounds great going around the track. The atmosphere is electric and seeing the cars close up is a must do.
Hope you enjoy the few photos I put up if you would like to see more follow my facebook page "A Flag Marshalls Journey" where I also have some short video clips.