Help needed at Taupo¯ race park
Flag marshalls are considered the most important people on a race track and administrators of Taupo¯ ’s Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park are in need of more passionate people to wave the flag.
Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park is asking motorsport enthusiasts to help out by being a flag marshall.
Pete Nagle is a steward at Pukekohe Park. He started off as a flag marshall and worked his way to the top.
The memories and stories he can share are all thanks to being a flag marshall.
‘‘You really get up close and personal to the action,’’ he said.
‘‘The whole idea of a flag marshall is so riders can get on the track and race and enjoy themselves. Without flag marshalls, they can’t do that.’’
Nagle started off as a flag marshall 10 years ago.
Since then, he has worked his way to being Clerk of the Course and a Steward - with all training provided for him.
‘‘Become a clerk of the course and steward was something I was keen on doing but I still throw on a pair of overalls and jump out on the track,’’ he said.
Nagle said each event is different to marshall.
‘‘One day you could be out on the track, assisting a rider who has crashed or broken down and other days you could just stay on the side of the track, marshalling the flags.’’
And what Nagle loves most about his job - the relationships he has made.
‘‘You get to meet some of the world’s best,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s also like a family.’’
And the riders appreciate the help they get from the flag marshalls, which is all volunteer based.
‘‘Without those guys out there, racers won’t be on the track,’’ he said.
‘‘The racers know that and they appreciate them.’’
No experience is needed for becoming a flag marshall, all training will be provided for motorcycle and car events.
Anyone who volunteers will be provided with lunch for the day, overalls and petrol vouchers.
Once trained and accredited, the option to go to other tracks and marshall is a possibility.
Anyone interested in becoming a flag marshall for Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park can email admin@bmmp.co.nz