Issuu

Porsche Club

Victoria

Race Marshalling

The Porsche Club of Victoria provides several opportunities for its members to volunteer in the provision of activities and events conducted by the club. Perhaps the most important of these opportunities is that of volunteering as a Marshal at one of our Competition Events.

On behalf of our club, and indeed all of the competitors at this event, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you sincerely for being part of our team of dedicated marshals.

Michael O’Brien President

As Competiton Director for Porsche Club Victoria, I would like to thank you for your assistance volunteering as a Marshal.

This booklet belongs to you, and is provided to assist you in performing your duties and for general information about being a Marshal.

Importantly the back cover shows the FIA incident response protocol. The booklet is informative, and is a quick reference source for many of the things you will need to know, for example: flags, the main requirements of the CAMS Motorsport Passenger Ride Activity Policy, other risk policies, and track maps etc. The Club encourages you to consider the types of training CAMS and the Club provides in the various officials duties as a way of extending your enjoyment of our motorsport activity.

Our competition days and indeed our entire calendar of events would not be possible in its current format without your generous involvement.”

Tony Carolan Competition Director

An Introduction to Race Marshalling

Welcome to an interesting way to experience motorsport and our fantastic cars.

The Marshal team enables the safe and efficient running of a track day. This booklet introduces:

• an overview for Marshals attending an event.

• the safety concepts important to operations in a risk environment like motorsport.

• some of the rules and structures applicable, and

• some techniques, like the meaning of the flags.

Your fellow Marshals are an open and caring group, dedicated to safe and professionally run events that we are proud of. New Marshals will always be paired with an experienced person. The most important part of learning to be a Marshal is peer-to-peer learning from the experienced people around you. If you are not sure, ask.

Some of the essential elements of an enjoyable day include:

Before the event

Generally, briefing notes will be sent out by the Marshal Coordinator before the event. Please take time to read the notes as they will help give you a feel for what is expected on the day.

What to bring?

• The Club provides quilted waterproof flouro parkas, but the rest of your clothing requirements you bring for yourself. We request all Marshals wear high visibility outer clothing (provided) for the duration of the day.

• Clothing – It is best to have clothing that gives you neck-to-knee coverage – i.e. long sleeve shirts, no shorts, and closed footwear.

• You are outside in all weathers, so layers of clothing can be useful, boots are better than trainers, and plastic overpants can come in handy. Please avoid dressing in red (including red caps) as this is the colour for ‘end of session’ flags.

• You are also advised to bring a hat and sunscreen. Experienced Marshals often carry a day pack for their keys, phones, cameras, plastic pants, warm cap, gloves, sunglasses, and this booklet.

• A folding light chair can be very handy.

At the event

• Arrival time: Generally it is appreciated it you can arrive in plenty of time for an event. Check the briefing notes specific to your event, but a general rule is to arrive at the track ready to go by 8:30am (the Scrutineering Team usually need to be on-track earlier).

• On arrival please contact the Marshal Coordinator. He or she will note your arrival, point out the Officials forms, direct you to the radios, and ask you to sign-in (use of radios will be covered during the Officials briefing). The Marshal Coordinator will be your contact person on the day should you have anything you need to raise.

• Signing-in is very important. If you do not know where to sign in please ask. Signing-in is required for CAMS Personal Accident Insurance and assists the organisers running the event. You will also be asked to provide details of someone to contact in the case of an emergency.

• Officials briefing: there will be a briefing for Officials (usually around 8:45am) which will cover roles and responsibilities and safety issues. It is essential that you attend the briefing if possible. If not, please see the Marshal Coordinator who can provide a personal briefing.

• Transport arrangements: Marshals generally travel to their positions on-track in three ways: (i) by vehicle (including Ambulance); (ii) by private car (which will generally be allowed where access is available from outside the track) or (iii) by foot. Whichever way applies please note that entry to the Track is restricted. It is essential to use the radio to seek permission from Race Control (the Clerk of Course or delegate) before entering the Track.

• Food: A basket with thermos for tea/coffee, some nibbles and bottled water is provided for each Marshal point. If you have specific dietary requirements you may consider bring supplies of your own. The club will also provide lunch. There may also be breakfast provided depending on the catering facilities at the event.

• There will generally be a break between morning and afternoon sessions for sustenance and time to attend to personal needs. If you have any requirements outside of the lunch break, use the radio to advise Race Control (the Clerk of Course or delegate).

Thank you for your contribution to running of the safe and professional motorsport events the Porsche Club of Victoria is renowned for.

Code of conduct for Marshals

My intention is to assist with and contribute towards safe, enjoyable, and fair competition for all participants, including competitors, Marshals, and spectators. I will not do anything to jeopardize this, nor will I carry out any activity which could bring the event or the sport into disrepute.

• I am fit and well enough to carry out the duties allocated to me and if my circumstances change at any time, I’ll notify senior Marshals immediately.

• I will take particular care of my own safety and well-being, and will endeavour to protect all others from danger or disadvantage that they may be exposed to. I will report any unsafe situations or practices I observe to the appropriate persons, including my senior officials, so the identified risks can be minimized or removed.

• I will remain behind protective barriers at all times, unless my specific role requires me to do otherwise, and then only for the minimum time required for that duty.

• I will relate to and deal with all persons involved in the event equally and fairly, and will not participate in nor tolerate any harassment of any persons because of age, gender, roles allocated, experience, place of origin, or for any other reason.

• I will respect the lines of authority established for the control event and will comply with all reasonable instructions from my senior officials. I will also respect and enforce regulations and instructions applicable to the event, as my role requires.

• I will exercise personal discipline by attending briefings, exercise, and activities associated with the events at their scheduled times.

• I will, whenever the opportunity arises, endeavour to increase my knowledge and understanding of my various roles in the sport.

Marshal safety

The following principals can be applied to all Marshal roles.

Ensure that you remain behind at least one barrier of protection, unless your specific duty requires it, such as a Flag Marshal while flagging.

Do not station yourself less than one meter from the approach side of any gap in the debris fencing.

Do not lean on guard rails, concrete blocks, or debris fences as they are designed to move when hit by competing vehicles.

At all times when the track is closed for competition (“hot”), make sure you’re standing up on full alert and face the oncoming traffic, unless your specific duty requires otherwise.

Be prepared for an situation that may arise, even on warm up or cool down laps.

Be prepared for fast moving traffic of any nature, at any time.

Flag Marshals should use flag signs, if necessary, for all vehicles, not just those which are racing at the time.

Have an escape plan in place.

Work as a team.

Attend all briefings.

Porsche Club

Club

Porsche

Victoria

Marshal Briefing.

Introduction and welcome to new members

RUN OF DAY

Length of Sessions

Features of the day, differences to normal running Restrictions (i.e Entrée no overtaking under brakes)

SAFETY

YOUR SAFETY IS YOUR FIRST CONCERN

If you need to approach a vehicle

Request permission from Clerk of Course

Wait for specific permission from CoC. If in doubt call again.

FLAG POINTS

Watch traffic past the Flag Point. If there is an incident the YELLOW flag is your decision. Call it in. The second person manages the radio and watches the approaching traffic for the BLUE flag. If you are on your own, first priority is the YELLOW. If a BLACK FLAG is called for Car XX, it is helpful if each point can call “CAR XX passing Corner YY” GREEN Flag is generally shown for the first session of each group.

FLAGS

BLUE – You are about to be overtaken WHITE – Slow moving vehicle on track

YELLOW – Danger ahead, slow down, do not overtake YELLOW WITH RED STRIPES – Deterioration of adhesion/slippery surface ahead. GREEN – All clear ahead

RED - STOP THE RACE, do not put out unless advised by Clerk of Course BLACK – Enter pit lane on next lap

CHEQUERED – Finish on session

PASSING RULES

Overtaking is preferred on the Straights ENTRÉE/Passenger – no overtaking under brakes. There may be other passing restrictions (i.e. between Bollards and corners)

RADIOS

CHANNEL will be announced

Push the transmit button, take a breath, call ‘RACE CONTROL’ , this is POINT X then message Indicate the situation is ‘SAFE’ or ‘NOT SAFE’ IF NO RESPONSE - CALL AGAIN

To maximise clarity on the radio, keep your back to the wind and speak a little slowly

INCIDENTS

Display the YELLOW flag

If the car rejoins, call in a quick “CAR X, left track, rejoined”. If the vehicle is stopped, Yellow Flag, call in – Safe? Has driver left the vehicle & is safe.

CRITICAL INCIDENT - F.I.A.

Non-critical – Is it safe/What do we need to make it so?

DANGEROUS DRIVING

Poor behaviour

Over driving

Unsafe overtaking

Limbs out sidecar

Bits hanging off the car

Losing fluid

Unsafe Practices

FIRE/SAFETY

Pull the pin

Test the extinguisher – hold onto the hose.

Then approach the vehicle

Point the stream at the base of the fire – not the smoke.

Essential Officials

The following is a summary of the CAMS National Competition Rules section on duties of Officials. The material appears between pages 40 and 45 of the 2016 CAMS Manual.

162. ESSENTIAL OFFICIALS

At each meeting there shall be unless otherwise specified in the discipline regulations contained in the CAMS Manual:

• at least two Stewards of the Meeting;

• a Clerk of the Course;

• a Secretary of the Meeting; and

• a Chief Scrutineer; and, in the case of competitions decided wholly or partly by time:

• a Chief Timekeeper; each of whom shall be an Essential Official.

166. SEPARATION OF DUTIES

An official shall not, at any meeting, perform any duties other than those for which they are appointed. An Essential Official shall not compete in any competition at which they are appointed as an official. An Essential Official who has any direct beneficial connection with a competitor or driver shall stand aside from their appointment.

168. DUTIES OF THE STEWARDS OF THE MEETING

The Stewards of the Meeting are appointed by CAMS to officiate as a panel under the chairmanship of the Chief Steward. They shall be responsible for establishing agendas and ensuring that minutes of all meetings are produced.

In the event of a split ballot among the Stewards, the chairman shall have a casting vote. The Stewards of the Meeting shall sign and send to CAMS a closing report as soon as practicable after the close of the meeting. This report shall include their comments on the conduct of the meeting and the results of each competition together with particulars of any protests lodged, decisions made, penalties applied, notices of Intention to Appeal received and any recommendations in regard to a suspension or a disqualification and any information provided by the Clerk of the Course.

169

172. DUTIES OF THE CLERK OF THE COURSE

The Clerk of the Course is responsible for conducting the meeting in accordance with the Supplementary Regulations. Their duties include:

(ii) remain in close contact with the Stewards of the Meeting throughout the meeting in order to ensure the smooth running of each event;

(iii) ensure that sufficient properly-qualified officials are present for the conduct of the meeting and report any deficiencies to the Stewards of the Meeting;

(vii) control each competitor, driver and automobile;

(xi) submit to the Stewards of the Meeting any proposal to modify the program, any improper conduct, breach of rule, or protest;

176. DUTIES OF THE CHIEF TIMEKEEPER

177. DUTIES OF THE CHIEF SCRUTINEER

The Chief Scrutineer is responsible for determining compliance of each automobile and associated equipment including apparel with safety and technical regulations as specified in the Supplementary Regulations.

Grid Marshal & Starter

The Grid Marshal checks that vehicles & drivers are ready to go onto the track.

This means:

• Lining cars up to keep the dummy grid for orderly release of cars to the track and access at all times for emergency vehicles.

• Checking vehicles have been scrutineered.

• Checking the vehicles are in the correct run group.

• Checking drivers for correct attire, and before release to the track with seat belts on and helmet fastened.

When passengers are being carried:

• The passenger has evidence of disclaimer processing – usually a wrist band.

• The passenger is correctly attired, belted in, has no protruding limbs and has no loose camera or mobile phone.

• The vehicle displays a Passenger Scrutiny sticker (The Purple P)

• One passenger only

Porsche Club Victoria Porsche Club Victoria

The Starter controls access to the track, under the direction of the Clerk of Course (“CoC”).

This means:

• Preventing vehicles from accessing the track until approved by the CoC

• Closing the track when instructed by the CoC

• At all times ensuring the vehicles allowed onto the track do not exceed the Track Licence Limit

• Releasing vehicles to the track at intervals that maximise the distance between vehicles. This normally means the last car leaving when the first car is 60% of the way around the course.

• Keeping the vehicles in their groups, by reference to the Group sticker.

When passengers are being carried, checking:

• The vehicle displays a Passenger Scrutiny sticker (The Purple P)

• One passenger only

Phillip Island

The Club is blessed by its access to tracks. From the king of venues, Phillip Island, to complex hill climbs and the twisty Winton. They are the centre of attention for the Prince of Sports car Marques, in the largest competition calendar in CAMS.

Phillip Island

Truly the aristocrat: 4.5km of high speed undulating corners and that awesome corner 12 approach to the iconic main straight, with just time to catch your breath, admire the bridge and the sea, and then into turn 1, as quick as you dare. With many of its design elements mindful of the MotoGP, it has well placed gravel traps and excellent run of areas, so despite its high speeds, it is a very safe Club track. The Porsches love it, suiting the high power and excellent geometry of the 911. It continues to be a place where breaking a record is a true accomplishment.

PCV record OPEN Rick Mensa 997 GT3 Cup 1:34.659 13/09/2015.

2000px-Phillip_Island_Grand_Prix_Circuit.svg.png 1666×1137 pixels

4/12/10 3:23 PM

Sandown

What a delight! A terrific racing surface with some complex and challenging corners (have you mastered the sweeper on turn 1 yet?) over 3.1 km, 20 minutes from the CBD. The location for the President’s Day (thank you Chris Camamile), where we take family and friends for passenger laps, and the home of the PCV Regularly Relay which is growing in the PCV and Victorian Club calendar. Its city location has caused problems with the silly 75db restrictions, a problem for any car on a racetrack, much less the sweet bellow of the Porches, but we continue to run there. Enjoy the location, the straights, the tight curves; just the place for a Porsche at speed.

PCV record 1:13.677, 28/6/15, Rick Mensa, 997GT3 Cup.

A nugget of a track tucked away in the Victorian countryside. The complex mix of curves and sweepers over the north side are extremely difficult to get right, and don’t tolerate excess approach speeds or mistakes in the lines. How many G series 911s (you know who you are) have explored the spoon drains at the end of the sweeper? And who hasn’t decided that a drive straight ahead is a better decision than too much speed into the S’s at the end of the main straight? Is there a better spectator point on a Club than the lawn in front of the S’s? certainly Rex Broadbent’s rally heritage seems to give him quite a different line through these compared to others, but with very respectable times. Then the track is reconfigured at lunchtime from the long circuit to the Club circuit, and the lines change completely.

PCV record, long track, 1:25.503, 6/6/15, Rick Mensa, 997GT3 Cup. Short track, 1:00.603, 29/6/13, Peter Fitzgerald, 997GT3.

Broadford

The State Motorcylce Centre at Broadford started hiring out the circuit track to car clubs a couple of years ago. PCV has run there a handful of times and it is a handful of a track! Short back straights, sudden tight climbs and turns with a succession of off-camber and double apex corners. Very technical, narrow and lots of fun.

PCV record 1:00.280, 8/6/14, Christian Fitzgerald, 997GT3.

Haunted Hills

With Morwell consumed by the encroaching coal mine, the new spectacular track at Haunted Hills (great name guys) became just like every country road you have ever dreamed of, with no on-coming traffic. Sharp turns cut into the valley, steep sweeping drops, multiple configurations and a sign at the end that tells everyone your time; technically challenging and great fun.

bryant-park-hillclimb.jpg 477×351 pixels

PCV record, clockwise, 0:53.390, 29/3/15, Christian Fitzgerald, 997GT3. Clockwise fig 8, 0:59.090, 12/8/12, Peter Fitzgerald, 997GT3. Short track, 0:36.940, 6/10/13, Peter Fitzgerald, 997GT3.

DECA

In recent years, combined with Winton for a Queen’s Birthday double. The delight is a skid pan large enough to land 747s, on which we lay side by side motorkhana courses. Competitors then run head-to-head; do they concentrate more on the layout or the race? The road track out the back of the facility will take a km or so of chicanes, curves and a hill; those trees can get very close though. Screeching tyres on the skid pan, encouragement from the spectators; who needs grass motorkhanas?

Porsche Club

Passenger Rides

Risk Information

Your safety is our paramount concern.

Is there anything that could affect your safety or enjoyment of this activity?

Medical (anxiety, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, fainting, dizziness, fits, headaches, migraine, heart disease)?

Victoria Porsche Club

Victoria

Have you had a head injury, or undergone surgery in the last 8 weeks? Pregnancy?

If the answer to any of the above is YES, you need to tell us. Non disclosure could void any insurance cover.

Are you able to get out of the car in an emergency without assistance? If NOT, you need to tell us.

Although it is very rare, If there is an incident or accident

OBEY THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE DRIVER.

DO NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE UNLESS INSTRUCTED BY THE DRIVER

Passenger Rides

Briefing Information

Your safety is our paramount concern.

Do not have loose equipment in the vehicle, for example phones or cameras.

Do not use cameras during the ride.

Do not allow any part of your body outside the vehicle. Obviously, do not distract the driver.

The ride will be exhilarating and buffeting, and quite different to your normal road experience.

If you wish the ride to stop, firmly tap the driver’s leg.

The driver understands this means

“The

ride is over, please slow down significantly and exit the track”

Although it is very rare, If there is an incident or accident

OBEY THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE DRIVER.

DO NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE UNLESS INSTRUCTED BY THE DRIVER

The Club hopes you enjoy your experience

Links and resources

The Officials section is at http://www.cams.com.au/get-involved/officials/become-an-official. It discusses training course and licencing.

The other licencing body in Australia is the Australian Autosport Alliance (AASA) at www.aasa.com.au. It is a smaller body than CAMS and PCV uses AASA for some event permits.