Question for the Group
 

I will be on my way to work the Baku F1 race. Just wondering if anyone is interested in a bit of a travel log as I make my way there and work as a marshal. Would post pics and impressions

SmileWavy Yes, please!

Baku Azerbaijan??

No thank you. I’ve been there, was nearly killed because of my religion.

Good luck to you.

I think it's a great idea and look forward to it.

Awesome opportunity :cool:

Yes, please!

Is this it?:

https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2024/azerbaijan/circuit

I'd enjoy your insights...place I have never been.

Yes, that is it. Not sure what task I will have. Been radio marshal for Miami and Vegas so maybe that. Asked to have a spot around the castle. We will see.

Glad to see there is some interest

Very sorry to hear. I have done a lot of international work in Bahrain, UAE, Egypt and Saudi with no issues. As always I keep my wits about me and my passport in my pocket. International travel as become second nature to me.

Be interested to know why your religion was an issue

If I participate anymore on this thread it will go south very fast.

PM me and I’ll be glad to explain.

If you are able to share, how does one get into this kind of volunteer thing? I have 80 hours of volunteer time off, this is something worth it...

Uh, hell yes...

Need to start a 'I was Nearly Killed' thread

If you go 1st, I've got a few stories from around the world I'd share and I'm sure we're not the only survivors on here

I’ve got a few. . .

Azerbaijan, Iraq, Honduras, over the Persian Gulf (this one was almost because of me-photo attached) . . .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1725299018.jpg

Perhaps it should start in PARF

Did not mean to start a controversy. Will just straight up relate my experience

I started flagging at Laguna Seca. Did club races, IMSA and IndyCar along with pre and reunion. Got a tip to reach out to Miami last year. Got in there and worked Vegas. I will say it can be a bit of a thankless task but you are right on the track. As radio marshal I’m communicating with race control so I hear what is happening around the track. On a whim I reached out to both Spa and Baku. Got accepted at both but could not do Spa so it’s Baku. I’m advised to bring a suitcase with empty space for the swag. The international marshals I talked with at Miami and Vegas say the Baku race organizers do a great job of taking care of the volunteers. Once I get there free room and board.

If you have any race experience I’m pretty sure you would be welcome

No controversy, didn’t mean to hi-jack the thread

When I started flagging in SoCal, I had zero experience. CalClub was awesome, they were very welcoming. I did Indycar and IMSA races and Formula E.

Years later, now in Florida, I need SCCA membership to flag. SCCA would be a good place to start and or whatever track is local to you. Good luck, it is fun and a great experience.

I look forward to hearing Rtrorkt adventures at Baku.

Wildthing, go for it, if you don't, you'll always regret not trying

Rtrorkt bet you never imagined you'd end up marshaling F1 races, let alone in Azerbaijan, really pleased for you

Paul, that sounds like some amazing experiences, I too look forward to hearing about Baku adventures

You asked and look how much trouble it's got you into :cool:

Was only 25yrs old and got myself into a heap of fun trouble, will spare the long story which is quite funny

I asked to volunteer.....

With no previous experience and within a few months I became Technical Commissioner working for the Union Internationale Motonautique (powerboat racing world governing body) looking after the F1 inshore powerboat series which is the highest level of world championship inshore powerboat racing

I wrote cockpit safety rules, went to Monaco for meetings, in charge of all boat technical scrutineers, inspections and boat safety at events in countries like France, Germany, Greece, Russia, Italy, UAE

Firm believer of, 'if you don't ask you don't get!'

Oh, marshalling the race is definitely worth being proud of. I'm sure not everyone gets selected, let alone can afford to fill the role.

Do you know if you'll be a trackside, pit, or flag marshal?

Looking forward to this.

I spent two weeks there on business in 2005. I loved it. On big oil's dime so I had it pretty easy.

Thank you for your note. Yes, I am certain trackside, just depends on where. My first Miami race I won the lottery being assigned to pit out. Throughly enjoyed that. The Vegas clown show I was at turn 6.6 on the back side and at Miami this year at 15.5 which is where Max hit the bollard. Been typically radio marshal which means I communicate with race control. What I understand is comms from the turns are broadcast so all in race control can hear. Some pretty stout folks are listening.

We will see if my request for a position will be met. No matter, it will be fun

Yes please.

I was supposed to be a corner marshal at the Formula E race in Vancouver that didn’t happen…

I’d love to see and hear about your experience.

Thank you all for your positive responses. I will create a thread starting Sunday night my time which is my departure. Not easy getting to Baku I will tell you and given the smaller market for flights, harder to leave.

Sunday then

Take club pins, decals and patches from your region to trade with the other F&C workers from other countries you meet. And if you can get away with it, a bottle of Jack will buy you friends.

I was able to get some SCCA patches to take. Seems SF region does not have swag. Have an SF region flag, an AZ flag for my state. Will see if I get to put them up. I tried to get some Friends of Laguna Seca lanyards (they were giving them out free with purchase at the historics) but no go. So the patches will need to suffice.

The UK based corner captain for my Miami experience brought his team patches.

Very cool, can't wait to see your other thread. thanks for sharing!

Small USA flag pins also work for some.

Where are you staying? Some nice places 5 years ago when I last visited.

The race organizers are providing free accommodation at the athlete’s village built for the Asian Games. Marshals I talked with at Miami says it is pretty nice. Will see. Understand it is a bit far from the main area of town, so taxi or Uber to explore

Wow, thats generous.

They will not do that for Vegas, though IIRC, they did provide a stipend last year for race workers staying at the Luxor.

Having worked Miami twice now, I can say for certain not again. With the 40min bus ride, being stuck in Ft Lauderdale not close to much and getting really lame t-shirts, there is not much to recommend it except being close to the racing. The box lunches were meh, and the “breakfast” well, not so good.

I think there were something like 700 of us or so at the Westin. Since the day was over at a relatively reasonable time, there was an opportunity for the organizers to provide a bit of group refreshments allowing a little bench racing between marshals. Figure 2 beers a piece might have run them $3000. Seems a small price for a nice gesture. We discussed kicking in $10 or $20 per station to do it ourselves, but could not work out the logistics.

Vegas had better t-shirts and I got that really nice blaze orange jacket and the buffets were pretty good, I will do one more year in November and then decide. BTW I did not get a stipend just the orange coat

The international marshals tell me the organizers of the European races treat their marshals better, kind of like the difference of US and European first class travel. There is no comparison.

So, later today I start my journey. Will put up something each day.

Safe trip and looking forward to the updates

The new thread is titled “On to Baku”