Menu
Prepping Your Cars
What to Bring on Race Day
Race Day Know-How
Driving Tips

How to Turn Marshal

Turn marshalling… we all do it, and for some newbies, it can be one of the most stressful parts of the race day.  It doesn’t have to be, and in fact, marshalling is one of the best ways to learn a section of the track and to watch other racers tackle a particular section.

Part of why turn marshalling can be stressful is that no one really explains what happens before you get out there.  You just follow what you see people do before you, and either you sort of get it or you feel like you’re lost out there.  Well, worry no more – we have some handy tips to follow that you can read ahead of time.  So whether it’s your first time marshalling or just brushing up on a few tips, use the information here to make it a more enjoyable part of your day at the track.

Corner marshalling is a requirement of RC around the world at all levels, from Club level to World Titles. You must marshal the race after yours or you will have your best time disqualified.

If you cannot marshal for any reason (health, age, injury etc) you must arrange a substitute marshal and notify the race director.

The marshalling spots are numbered – usually you stand at the number corresponding with your grid number from that race. Sometimes marshals are re-arranged (e.g. experienced racers at difficult jump areas etc).

Basic rules for marshalling:
  • Safety first (do not marshal a car if there are other cars coming, always watch in the direction of oncoming vehicles). The driver has made the mistake.
  • Never pick up the car by the wheels / tyres / moving parts – it is usually safest to pick up by each end of the chassis and place it back on the track.
  • Watch your area, not the rest of the track – i.e., watch your corner, not the race
  • Marshal as you would wish to be marshalled – quickly, safely, vehicle placed in the direction of travel. A good marshal gets a lot of respect from other racers and is something sponsors look for.”
  • Move out to your marshalling spot quickly and safely after your race has finished. If there are cars on the track, do not run across the track in front of them.
  • When you are marshalling, do not check your phone /drink / smoke / chat to others etc. This can happen after you finish marshalling.
  • If a car has crashed in front of you, do not obstruct other cars when you put it down. If two or more cars have crashed, you should marshal the vehicles in the order that they have crashed.
  • Stay at your marshalling spot until the race has finished for all racers. The computer will announce ‘ALL DRIVERS FINISHED’. After that you can safely make your way back to the table and retrieve your car and transmitter.
  • In most cases you will marshal the race immediately after yours. If you are the last race in the round, you may need to be ready to marshal the first race of the day.
  • Exception is that generally on club days the junior race is marshalled by the parents of the juniors, and the race before juniors then marshals the race after juniors. This will be explained at the drivers meeting.
Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial
Facebook