Turn Marshalling: Who's to blame?

0 Oct. 7, 2011, 4:34 a.m.

10/7/2011
By Mike Garrison
LiveRC.com

Whether you are an onroad, offroad, electric, nitro, beginner, or pro racer there is one thing that all r/c racers have in common. Turn marshalls. As we get set to head into a weekend full of racing around the world on local, national, and world championship levels we have decided to ask YOU your opinions on what might be the most controversial aspects of r/c.

Our estimate is that 99.9% of all r/c racers have either had a race that was lost or ruined because of a turn marshall. Whether it is not paying attention to their area, being occupied with a cell phone or soda, sitting down watching the race, stepping out in front of you, stepping out on top of you, and the list goes on. In the end, we have seen everything from you yelling and screaming to radio’s and standing stools being smashed over the issue. The big question is…who’s right?

Obviously no matter what the circumstances, r/c racing is meant to be enjoyable and have fun, therefore fits of yelling, screaming, and throwing things shouldn’t happen (but let’s face it we all have been there). But when it comes right down to it, who is to blame for all of the “turn marshalling incidents”?

Some say that it is up to the driver to drive a clean race and not wreck. When they wreck, no matter how fast or slow the marshall is, it is no one’s fault but their own. In any other form of racing there is no one to help you when you wreck, it’s just your fault and you have to fix it. On the flip side of that argument, no matter how precise of a driver you are, when racing with other cars there is going to be the occasionally bump and grind. When making a pass and the two drivers bump, one wrecks, and gets a bad turn marshall is it still that driver’s fault?

Others would say that turn marshalling is part of the hobby, and if you aren’t qualified to do so then you shouldn’t be out there marshalling. The question is how do you “qualify” someone to turn marshall? Here is an example, a good friend of mine and great racer has years of experience and is physically fit to run miles a day, but I could very well leave my pit table, stop by the snack machine for some fresh Grandma’s Cookie packs, find a broom, and reach over the wall with it to turn marshall from my wheelchair before he ever even noticed the car upside down. Therefore, how do you actually “qualify” a good turn marshall?

While some want to blame the drivers, and some want to blame the turn marshalls, others blame the track. Some drivers feel as though it is a track owner’s responsibility to take priority in making sure that racers of all skill levels and experience are constantly reminded of their turn marshalling duties, and that strict rules are set about the use of cell phones, cigarettes, sodas, chairs, etc. while turn marshalling. If a track offered a driver’s meeting every week with a list of strict rules and reminding the duties of marshalling, does that really guarantee that turn marshalls will pay attention and run at the speed of light?

While turn marshalling will always play a factor in the r/c racing world, there really seems to be no perfect solution to frustrating races involving turn marshalls. We considered the idea of racing with no turn marshalls (meaning when you crash your done), but that would basically end our race immediately when the tone sounded. Regardless of who's right and who's wrong, the fact of the matter is r/c is a job for some, a hobby for others, and everything in between. Although it is hard at times, no matter what level you are at or what level you want to someday be at, r/c is like eating pizza....it's not always great, but it's always good so enjoy it!

We want to know YOUR thoughts and views on turn marshalling! Whos fault is a bad marshall? How can we solve the controversies? Share your thoughts and comments below!

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