OFFICIALS PHOTOS BEST OFFICIALS IN THE WORLD Final Edition Page 1
Final Edition Page 2 LISA TOTANI -> Lisa Totani s pathway as a marshal is similar to the beginnings of many who got their start in the sport as a race official from just being a spectator, to making motor sport a major part of her life. After being a passionate fan of the sport for many years, I wanted to get on the other side of the fence, Totani said. I got in contact with my local CAMS office that provided me with information on various car and volunteer clubs associated with Motorsport in SA. The work of SAMROA (South Australian Motor Racing Officials Association) appealed to me even though I had little idea what the role of a flag marshal was. I attended my first Mallala event in 2013 and I haven t looked back since. Being part of the 2014 Clipsal Young Officials Team was a real bonus in developing my skills and understanding of the various disciplines in motor sport. Lisa s role is perhaps one of the more visible roles as a flag marshal. Flag marshals work alongside communicators and trackside marshals at designated flag posts located around the Grand Prix circuit. Each flag colour has a different meaning and level of importance, such as waving a single yellow flag (incident up ahead) compared to waving two yellow flags (marshals on track). Our role is to essentially communicate with competitors or any service vehicles to warn them if the track ahead is not clear for a particular reason. Flag marshals always have to be on their toes, even during breaks or demonstrations because there is always the potential for things to go wrong. It is also crucial that communicators do as their name suggests by making us aware of any potential hazards that may require us to put out a flag such as safety car or red flag. While the role of an official requires dedication, concentration and a strong sense of responsibility, the rush of motor sport is the basis of their passion. One of my greatest experiences as a flag marshal has been standing at Flag Post 8.2, drivers left, at the Clipsal 500 where the cars rush against the concrete wall less than an arms width away from you at over 250km/h. The adrenaline rush, the air disturbance and the noise puts the biggest smile on your face! Aside from the feel good vibe of volunteering and giving back to the sport you adore, being a marshal definitely gives you the 2nd best seats at the race - obviously first being in the driver s seat - because we are given opportunities to not only see but work in close proximity to the exotic cars. As a motor sport volunteer or flag marshal you don t just join an organization, you join a diverse, loving and fun family who make the long days standing in wild weather all worth it. In addition, the experiences gained from being a marshal go far beyond the racetrack such as the communication, social and fire training skills I have learnt that can be applied to any workplace situation. Lisa speaks highly of the many pathways available for a prospective official. There are endless opportunities for officials to specialize in a particular field such as timing, scrutineering or flag marshalling. Put simply, there is a role to suit everyone s interests and aspirations as they gain more experience and progress through the Licence grades. A common theme amongst many officials is the sense of family amongst the motor sport community. The opportunities to travel interstate and overseas are invaluable for expanding social and friendship groups, the people you meet can certainly become friends for life and they provide you with experiences and memories to cherish, far beyond any race. Most people are very welcoming and accepting no one is judged by gender or cultural stereotype. Most importantly, you can never have too many marshals the more the merrier!" From CAMS Website
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Final Edition Page 5 GO TO SPEEDCAFE FOR THE LATEST NEWS Speedcafe.com will be presenting The Spirit of Speed award to reward motorsports officials and volunteers, as part of a new initiative in conjunction with the inaugural Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame. The announcement came after Saturday night s gala Hall of Fame presentations. Brett Murray, Speedcafe.com owner, said We thought it fitting that the act of volunteering be highlighted by a truly national award that can reward an official or volunteer for a life-long contribution. The purpose is to recognize the contributions of individuals who enable motor racing to take place throughout Australia. Nominations, which open in May 2016, will be judged a panel of industry professionals, with monthly winners receiving a trophy month and rewards for themselves and their nominated club or association. The overall winner will receive honors as well as tangible benefits of major proportions including two premium tickets to the 2017 Rolex Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, return tickets and accommodation for next year s annual Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame dinner. Further details and artwork will be announced later.
Final Edition Page 6 MIKE BAKER -> Phrases such as There are cars on the track; It s raining on the other side of the circuit; Red flag! Red flag! Red flag!; Car 97 is in the gravel at turn 9; Blue flag car 44 are just some of the messages that Mike Baker will be repeating over radio back to Race Control. Baker s role as a Communications Observer is to report back to race control with what is physically occurring out on track. We are described as the eyes and ears of Race Control, Baker said. Essentially our job is to not only be the link between the team on the ground at our marshal s post and race control, but also to carefully observe everything which goes on in our part of the circuit. We are the one job which really never gets a break, because we are always on the lookout. There are usually two of us at each post, so we do get a break from being on the headset but we really are always expected to keep our eyes and ears open, and report anything which should be reported to race control. Whilst this year s Australian Grand Prix will be Baker s 30th Grand Prix, it was his love of rallying that somehow saw the Adelaide native get involved with circuit racing officiating. I had been involved in rallying in Adelaide for a number of years before the first GP in 85, Baker said. Because the GP was the biggest motor sport event run in Australia at the time and they needed lots of officials, anyone with any experience was a shoe-in for a position. I ve worked at the GP almost every year since. Baker continues to officiate at local rallies and at the Rally of Canberra, where he now resides. One of the advantages of being an official is being closer to the action than a general spectator, but with that advantage requires a great deal of responsibility and hard work. We do get about the best view in the house, but for me I think a much more important factor is that sense of being involved; of playing my small part in helping run a hugely complex and fantastic event there s a lot of quiet satisfaction in that, Baker said. On the other hand, we are stuck in the same place for the whole four days, and we stay there and do our jobs regardless of whether it s 38C or 17C with wind and driving rain! Working with a tight-knit crew of personnel for 30 years has created many friendships beyond the four days of the Grand Prix. I ve met a lot of people, but the nature of the job does not lend itself to idle chatter, Baker said. Nevertheless, I have made a few lifelong friends I stay in Melbourne with one of my GP friends who I met at one of the early Albert Park GPs. I am also cycling the Great Victorian Rail Trail with him in a few weeks time, and we ve been on a couple of paddling, kayaking trips together too. Baker looks back with fond memories of his first Grand Prix in Adelaide. It was great. I d never been part of something so big and exciting, and so well - and precisely organized, Baker said. Plus, the party the SA State Government threw for us afterwards was fantastic! Baker enthuses anyone interested in becoming a motor sport official to get involved for the experience, and the satisfaction of contributing to a world-class event such as the Australian Grand Prix. Yes, absolutely it is a great experience for any motor sport fan, and that sense of satisfaction of doing your bit is well worth it. From CAMS Website