Types of Marshals

General Marshal

Events are only run if the number of marshals meets the minimum number of marshals required for that event. This figure is derived from regulations set within the 'Blue Book' and on the nature of the event. General Marshals are responsible for competitor and spectator safety on junctions. This may be a corner, crossroad, chicane, split or designated spectator area. General Duty marshals are often required to make decisions in the best interest of the competitor/spectator conflict which often occurs at events; this could be advising spectators where to stand (and where not to stand!) in their interest of safety, adjust designated no-entry zones accordingly to the conditions and to aid troubled competitors if necessary.

Radio Crews

Depending on the type of event run, the MSA dictates a minimum number of Radio Points per competitive rally stage. A Radio Crews duty is to man a radio frequency for the entirity of the event, and communicate any messages back across the rally channel to the Rally HQ and other Radio Crews within distance. Radio Crews are essential, as they are often the Marshals, Spectators and Competitors means of communicating with others. In time of emergency, the Radio Crews are able to stop the event via Rally HQ and alert others of dangers or accidents which may require medical assistance.

Start Crew

At the start of each timed stage run, the cars leave the Stage Start. The Stage Start is made up of normally 3 marshals. Using timing equipment, it is the Start Crews responsibility to count competitors down to their designated start time. The Start Crew note down which cars have entered the stage at which time, and total up how many cars of each class enter the stage. This information is then communicated via their designated Radio Crew to Rally HQ. These check sheets are then passed on to the Course Closing Team who scout the stage after the last competing car, hoping to tally up the nuber of cars entering the stage to those who made it to the Flying Finish/Stop Line.

Flying Finish Crew

Each competitors timed run is ended at the Flying Finish. The team who make up the Flying Finish are responsible for taking the time at which the competitor passes their position. This information is electronically passed to the Stop Line Crew, as well as written down on a check sheet, for the Course Closing Team to tally up with their number of cars who entered the stage.

Stop Line Crew

The information from the Flying Finish team is electronically sent to the Stop Line Crew who will then declare on a set sheet the number of competitors who leave the current stage. This is the point in which the competitors will stop, to allow the Stop Line Crew to write down their stage time on their Time Sheet. Any team who run this post will smell of brakes by the end of the day!