What an accredited marshal is

An accredited Racesafe marshal is one who 

• Has attended a Racesafe New Marshals training day
• Has marshalled at 12 club or BSB meeting days satisfactorily and had their Racesafe card signed
• Has subsequently become accredited by attending a Racesafe Training and Development day.
• To be remain an accredited Racesafe marshal you have to attend a Racesafe Training & Development day at least every two years. You also need to marshal at least five meetings over the same two year period.

Training And Development Days 

There are usually about five or six of these sessions held before the season starts, normally in January and February. One of these days is specifically a New Marshals training day. Anyone who has no marshalling experience, or has not marshalled for Racesafe before must attend the New Marshals training day. 

The other days are aimed more at people who are experienced marshals, already receiving or maintaining their accreditation. 

In addition we try to put on an additional New Marshals training day mid -season, often this is arranged at relatively short notice so if you think you might want to attend one, keep an eye on this web site, or preferably get in touch and we will contact you.

The Importance Of Training And Accreditation 

Racesafe aims for the highest standards of marshalling possible. This is only possible if marshals are kept up to date with 

• the rule and regulation changes, 
• the riders
• the bikes
• the circuits
• current good practice at BSB and World championship meetings

A good example is the introduction of the Safety Car a few seasons ago. This went well the first time it was used and has become a common sight since. Such a smooth introduction was only possible because marshals had been shown what to expect at the training and development days. 

At world championship events in the UK there are normally more volunteers than can be accommodated (The international organisers set the number of marshal’s passes that are issued). Normally, only accredited marshals would be selected for these FIM events. 

The Skill Of Being A Marshal

Being a good marshal is a skill, in fact a set of skills involving, for a track marshal 

• Safety awareness
• Incident handling
• Team work
• Casualty handling
• Dealing with fire
• Flagging

Like most skills these are part taught and part developed with experience. The training days are opportunities to practice in safe conditions, under the eye of other marshals. Everyone learns at these, the trainers included. It has been said "if you think can't learn anything because you know it all, that's probably a good indication that it's time for you to give it up."

It also follows from this that you must practice these skills regularly once they have been learnt. This is why the requirement that marshals must attend at least five meetings in two seasons has been reintroduced for 2008.

Completing and maintaining accreditation is an achievement to be proud of.