YoungChazz

I do not suggest wearing helmets while driving, only while marshalling. But I do think you must have one in order to marshal, and if you can't marshal for any reason, then you can't race.

And I agree with the post about children picking their nose. I've never seen a 9-year old who is a competent marshal, and they are a danger to themselves. What I have seen that scares heck out of me, is 6-year olds on the track, especially in practice, literally skipping around or playing in the dirt with no thought whatever to the cars. Then, when one does wreck near them, they do take forever because suddenly they are afraid of the oncoming cars. My experience is entirely 1/10, and that is dangerous enough to little kids. 1/8 would be absurd.

I think it's a tragedy waiting to happen, and without some action it's bound to.

D-Rek07

iTrader: (1)

This doesn't have anything to do with safety, but I just have to rant. It makes me so freakin mad when your car flips over and you go and get it. Then while you are on your way back to the driver's stand some idiot yells, "Hey get my car!" like it is your freakin job. Then I want to yell back, "Get your own car. I got mine, so you can go get your own!" This happens all the time not just to me.

racer1812

iTrader: (31)

All depends on the "idiot". Next time it might be you. Most of the time it's called common courtesy. If they don't due the same that's a different story...

D-Rek07

iTrader: (1)

It would be common courtesy, if they could ask nicely. And why would I do that to someone if I don't like it when someone does it to me. That just doesn't make sense.

racer1812

iTrader: (31)

I get your point and my post probably doesn't read the way it should. I wasn't meaning you are the same as the "idiot"....

CR0SS

iTrader: (5)

Helmets are way over the top and not necessary. If you are not competent enough to watch out for other cars you should not be a marshal.

You only marshal a car when it is safe to do so. If it is not safe the car will still be there when it is safe. If you feel you need protective gear to marshal you are doing it wrong.

twigman08

I hit someone in the ribs with my 4x4 SC. it was during practice and there was nothing I could do. All his fault. I would've felt bad about it but he's a local that hates SC drivers in general. I went to go over this big double we have and he walked right in the middle of the jump to marshal his buggy. I was already in the air and he walked in front without looking. It hit him and I felt kinda bad till he turned around rolled his eyes at me (like it was my fault), then turned to throwing my truck. I was pretty pissed about that. When he did that I didn't feel bad anymore. Matter of fact everyone congratulated me on it. He deserved it!

racer1812

iTrader: (31)

Cars on any race track, including 1:1 have the right of way, simple as that. End of discussion IMO..

ChrisWolfson

iTrader: (3)

I think the turn marshalls wore helmets at the last 1/8 scale worlds in Thailand... The safety vests seem to be a thing on the other side of the pond as well.

GoatsnBros

iTrader: (56)

Good post and good reminder. Sometimes I think people get too lax about marshalling - especially parents with young kids. I agree about some type of age limit.

Often times there are real young (8-12) kids out there marshalling the 1/10th scale stuff. Even a little 1/10th scale can severely injure a small kid, especially since lots of jumps are at head level for them.

I hit a kid with my 4x4sc a few months ago, felt terrible but there is nothing you can do. Once the truck is in the air.....thats it. Parents seem to think these toy cars running around = playground for their kids.

jdeadman

iTrader: (41)

Last year we had a layout that was very difficult to marshal on as there were 4 lanes adjacent to one another. and I had a experience where I was driving and while in mid air someone ran or at least tried to and I nailed them with my 9 lb Brushless Bugggy (it was muddy) luckily it hit him where it was soft. but still he was winded for the rest of the race and was still black and blue the next week.

I have since that accident made it my mission to change the track to better suit the Marshals and make it much safer. there is still one spot that I don't like but it's way better.

Super Coupe

iTrader: (1)

This thread reminds me of the video of the girl on her bike on the track getting hit on the shoulder/face by a monster truck. Someone post the video.

professorcake

iTrader: (32)

Thanks everyone for reading and sharing your experiences! There is no perfect solution, the sport/hobby (like many others) has some inherent danger. I encourage you to simply do whatever small things you can to make a difference.

Dave H

^ This.

T-BirdJunkie

iTrader: (10)

That was at a BMX track.