5 replies to this topic

[minispaniard]

I wasn't sure on where to post it so feel free to move it if necessary...

I'm out this coming Saturday marshaling at the XPart Rally, an endurance type rally around Bury St Edmunds.

Owen Turner, who less than a month ago was doing the London to Cape Town rally in an MG, is out in a 1275 Mini. There's also another Mini.

can a Mini expect to be competitive in these kind of events?

Since I started getting involved in motorsport at the beginning of the year, I've offered to be a marshal for the whole day at this event. On the Marshals list there's a Peter Valentine, I wonder if it is 'Cooperman' himself... it would be nice to have a chat if time allows.
I
t will be my first time marshaling and was wondering if anyone here have any experience or tips to share with a newcomer.

[Tamworthbay]

Never marshalled at a rally but have done plenty of marshalling and scrutineering on circuit racing. Best bit of advice I was given many years back was stand BEHIND the barrier not infront! Watch footage of a lot of clubman type racing and you will be surprised how many marshalls you see gradually creeping out into unprotected places. Other than that just listen to what they tell you and have fun. I would imagine they will pair you with someone experienced anyway as its your first time.

[cjg199]

Never marshalled at a rally but its a satifisfying feeling when you know your helping put the meeting on and drivers tend to appreciate that. Unless you in the sport i do and you give them a sanction for hitting cones then the swear words come out :L

Best thing i can say is enjoy it as from my experience there isnt a better place to spectate from than a marshalls position, dont take any stick from anyone! and also make decisons about events on the track :) Its great fun and you should love it! :)

[Cooperman]

Yes, I'll be marshalling and will be at the start. In fact, just 10 minutes ago i emailed the Chief Marshall to see if he could tell me where I'll be.
See you at Bury st. Edmunds. My Grandson who has the 1997 MPI will be with me, but we'll be in my BMW 3-Series.

[Cooperman]

Was good to meet 'MiniSpaniard' at the start of the early test on which Cooperkid and I marshalled the finish. It was a cold day, but fortunately not too wet. On our last test we marshalled the finish and as Owen Turner braked his Mini hard, a car which has an engine built by me in it, to stop at our control, the Colway tyre on the LH front wheel pulled right off the rim and hit Cooperkid (my Grandson Dennis) on the leg quite hard. He soon got over it, but it was a good job it wasn't a wheel which hit him. It missed me by about a foot or so. There were a lot of sparks as the rim scraped along the ground, but it didn't cost him any time and the Mini finished well up the order and well in the top 10. The other Mini was going well until a rear damper bush pulled out. The retaining washers were too small and although he fixed it, later he had it happen on the other side and he had to miss a couple of tests which dropped him to last place finisher. At least he finished as there were a lot of retirements. A Nova SRi driven by Dale Glover from Kings Lynn won.

Edited by Cooperman, 21 February 2012 - 04:25 PM.

[minispaniard]

I had forgotten about this thread!

I had a great time marshaling for the first time, it was great seeing everything from the inside, a very friendly atmosphere... nice to meet you too.
After Dalham, very windy, I did get very wet and cold at Belchamps Otten selectif and then I had to do one more at Buckenham airfield but I really really enjoyed my day.

I had a quick chat with Owen Turner at the end of the event by the bar and asked him how the Mini did. He mentioned how strong the little car was but also how uncomfortable and tough the ride was. He may not use a Mini for endurance again...

I would encourage everyone to marshal or get involved somehow in this fantastic sport, very welcoming and great people!!!

Next for me it should be the Tendring Hundred 12 car rally, competing this time, but my navigator (wife) is quite unwell at the moment...