I was asked possibly the hardest question ever the other day when I was asked; “What sets Motorsport apart from other sports for me?” I dismissed the question at first because I thought it was unanswerable. Then giving it a little bit more thought I realised the question went a little bit deeper.
The Marshalling Bug!
In a previous blog, when talking about the F1, I spoke of how you can catch the marshalling bug! You won’t realise you have it until you try and spectate a race, and then you’ll want to get involved.
The months of November to February will feel like half a lifetime, just sitting and waiting for the marshalling season to start again. But why are we drawn back by it?
Feeling Alive!
The start of a race is just metres away. [Paul Williams]
For racing drivers they are drawn back to the thrill, the adrenaline of racing a car and exploring the limits. The exploring of limits means that marshals are in for a treat; we get to see the best racing and get to stand close to it, so we get a similar buzz to what racing drivers feel.
Not only do we get to stand close we can also feel the racing when stood at certain points on a circuit you feel the racing. Deer Leap at Oulton Park is a great example; if you stand there as a grid of Formula 5000 or some GTs cars come barrelling past you, you will get a huge buzz and feel the racing shake and move your entire body.
Wanting Something More!
Marshalling gets me within inches of racing, gets me as close as physically, and financially, possible to what racing would actually feel like for so many people. Sometimes I go back wanting something, more thinking that one day I might pass over the barrier and get to race, but the ‘something more’ I want isn’t the racing.
You can’t help yourself, but you want to be at a racetrack more, simply because you have caught this marshalling bug and just want to keep going back. There have been points were I have wished away my week so then I can get back to the track.
Motorsport is Unrivalled

You can go to a lot of Football matches and see a game finish nil-nil. You can watch the same sport over and over again and whilst the winning team may change, the method they achieve it hardly varies.
Motorsport is different. The same driver could win week in week out, but I can guarantee you’ll see them win in numerous ways! Whether they have to slice through the field, battle with problem after problem, drive away from pole or stick out the changing weather, no two races are the same.
The variation in disciplines are huge as well; imagine Liverpool playing Everton in Football, but also playing Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday, whilst playing Wigan Athletic and Northampton town who are all against Blackpool and Accrington Stanley. All of these teams playing against their direct opponents and also the other teams and then imagine it being on the same pitch? Madness would ensue, but that is perfectly normal in the World Endurance Championship.
Honestly, think about it!
What makes you keep going back to marshalling or Motorsport?
We want to know!
Written By Robert Lee (@RobLee559 – Twitter/Instagram)
Well put thoughts, similar to what I’d say too if someone asked. Keep up the good posts.
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What makes me go back??
I’m a rescue marshal.
The action, thrills and spills.. the people!
I’m a new kid on the block, have only being doing this for 7 years. In that time I have learned so much about racing, and the different types of motor sport we follow have different rules, regs, lol and vehicles. From circuit racing watching classic cars to F5000’s
Keeping ane eye on unlimited jet sprint boats, to standing on the start line with dragsters. My biggest reason for going back is people.. I love helping out when needed! But making new friends is the best!
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Great idea!!!!!! Tanks brother in track for answer for all us
Big hug from a marshal in Mexico
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