A Flag Marshal's Journey

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Phillip Island WD-40 Nov 21&22 2015

Last of the Major events for me Phillip Island V8s was on Flag Point 1.2 with Trish (flags), Murray (comms) and Tony Sector. Great spot into turn 2 and down into Southern Loop can see alot of the Track from here following the cars through turns 4 and 6.
Saturday was dry but cold and windy with Sunday a little warmer and less wind. Not a lot of action though we get a lot of cars going wide and coming back on track at 2.0. A few reports for contact just minor and the biggest thing we had happen was on Saturday when one of the Touring Car Masters blew his Motor like put a rod through it and dumped oil all the way past us and spun out and stopped across from our point. A big clean up and all was ready to go.
Most categories had 3 races with the V8s having to sprint races on Saturday and a 45 lap 200km race on Sunday.
Once again well looked after with lunches and a BBQ dinner Sunday night and has always a Darrell Lea Goodie bag and Hat. Drivers Michael Caruso and Todd Kelly giving up some of their time to join us for a chat and signing of posters and hats. And a extra surprise on Sunday morning we had over an hour down time due to Track walk so they lets us leave our points sent a bus around so we could go for a look and check out merchandise or the cars BONUS.
Well the Championship will be decided at Sydney With Craig Lowndes still 179 points behind Mark Winterbottom should be an interesting final three races.
For me two more events for the year again down at Phillip Island for Island Magic Nov 28th & 29th and the W/end after at Winton for the HQ 4 hour.
Whatever you are doing have fun stay safe.

Morning Muster

Daytona Love It

Pit Lane

Stunt Utes

Track Walk Sunday

WD 40 Girls

Caruso and Kelly

Saturday, 14 November 2015

Sandown Historics Nov 7th & 8th 2015

This is always a great event with all the great old racing cars from the past 1930s to late 80s.
With Formula Fords, F 5000, Formula Vees, N class Touring cars, S class production sports cars, J class Sports & racing cars and many more.
W/end was mainly fine and I was working Turn one a good turn out of officials meant that most points had three or four working. I was also being assessed for my upgrade within the club so was great to be senior on point with a great fun Team.
Has all these drivers are very careful not to damage cars no big incidents apart from what you expect from older cars even though the N class touring class did come out with a few dents but these guys still race for real.
With plenty of spin outs blown motors and oil on the track and maybe it was easier to count cars that were not smoking it was a well run w/end.
Next Event Phillip Island V8 Supercars Nov 21 & 22

http://www.photographybyrebeccathompson.com/

Sunday, 18 October 2015

Bathurst 1000 8/10 to 11/10 2015

Well another year and another Bathurst gone what a great w/end it was with plenty of thrills and spills.
I arrived on Monday 5.10 to set up camp and enjoy a few days relaxing and watching the campgrounds and paddock areas fill up with people and teams. Watching the Truck parade in town and enjoying taking Photo's around the track and pits.
Walked the track a couple of times over the week with some fellow officials including a night walk was great to be able to enjoy doing this with friends.
Well was assigned Post 4.8 just after the cutting driver's left with Zoe and Chloe sharing comms and flags. Apart from a few cars hitting the wall at 4.0 and a Porsche lining us up every lap which was a bit of fun and he gave us a wave at the end of race we had a fairly easy 4 days.
But it was not easy for everyone with the weather always putting on a challenge for the V8s and with plenty of cars finding the walls around the Track. Two massive crashes one on Friday with Chaz hitting the wall and cleaning up a Flag Point ending the days activities and all of us were relived that not only Chaz but our fellow Marshals at 17.0 all came out of it ok yes both Chaz and one of our Officials had some more serious injuries and had to go to Hospital but all will fight another day it really brings the reality of what we do and the danger we face but we all do what we do because of the love we have for this sport. And Friday night back at camp we all supported one another weather it was a need to talk or just a drink with friends.
Well Saturday came and we thought nothing would beat the crash from Friday but the Aussie Cars proved us wrong with a big rollover around 19.2 if you haven't seen it have a look on youtube once again the safety cage done its job with the driver only sustaining a few injuries.
Along with the Aussie Cars we had TCM Touring car Masters, Porsche GT3, V8 UTEs and Dunlop Series V8s so a full 4 days of action. Next trip to Bathurst will be in February for the 12hr.
Next event for me at Phillip Island 24 & 25 Oct for a State round until then stay safe and have fun.
To see all Photo's check out my facebook page A Flag Marshal's Journey.

Camp Site

Muster Shed

Monday, 28 September 2015

Shannons Nationals Rd 6 Phillip Island Sept 19 & 20 2015

Bit late with this report been a busy few weeks Just got back from Holiday late Thursday night and Track-side on Saturday so didn't have much time to get organised but had another Great w/end at Beautiful Phillip Island fine weather but fresh breeze each day made for good clean racing both days was working post 1.1 Drivers Left with Murray on Comms a great spot to see cars at speed with plenty going wide and a few good side on contacts. A big incident involving SuperKarts with one going into a spin and getting T boned bits going everywhere drivers ok but one needing to go out by Ambo to be checked out both will be sore for awhile.
Super Six being one of the bigger categories put on some great close racing was great to watch with the Kumho V8s also putting on some great racing other categories on the w/end included IROC Porsche Challenge for the older 911, Formula 3, Radicals, Porsche GT3 and Aust Sports Racers.
Just a couple of shots of the w/end but will make up for it at Bathurst 1000 which I will be heading off to on Monday 5th Oct will get photos in pit lane and paddock before working 4 days track-side. With so much Motor Sport on around the world with many friends and Marshals travelling to different events stay safe have fun.