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As well as being an artist my other big passion (apart from the man of my dreams that is), is marshalling on the recovery truck at Silverstone.
This activity was introduced to me by the aforementioned ‘man of my dreams’, Bob, who I think was born on the truck and only leaves it when all race meetings and competitors have finished/gone home. Once you become a marshal something happens to you – it gets in your blood and you are then a hopeless case – doomed to forever more hang out at motor racing circuits, whatever the weather. I absolutely love it!!
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When on duty it is not possible to take photographs, so I’m afraid there won’t be many shots of cars in action. But occasionally there is time to take a photograph when we have collected a car and are returning it, either to the Scrutineers so that they can investigate an incident, or to its team, so they can repair, or weep, depending on what has happened.
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We collect anything and everything – and that is the real challenge for us. We never know what has happened to the car unless it is right in front of us, so we have to arrive at the scene, assess the situation and then take action, straightaway. Race control need recovery to be done as speedily as possible - any delays ruin the race schedule – so speed (but also safety) is essential. Luckily Bob has been recovering cars at Silverstone for so long that he always seems to be able to come up with a solution, no matter what has happened to the car and no matter how many bits may have dropped off. He drives the truck and the crane; I connect up ropes and slings and often get to sit in cars that we tow in and the driver has abandoned. I’ve ‘driven’ Massarati’s, Ferrari’s, Touring cars, MG’s, Morgans, Jaguars, Lotus’s and many others – but always behind a rope!
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So here is just a few of the cars we have collected – with one of two details about them.
If you have any photographs of us in action – please email me– we would love to hear from you!
You may like to try marshalling yourself. There are several motor racing clubs who would welcome marshals. We are all unpaid volunteers, and it is a long day, but it really is worth it. Be warned though – being a marshal is addictive! Look on my links page for more details.