Volunteer Marshals for S'pore GP

Registration starts today and 800 slots are available for the F1 race on Sept 28. Please visit the Introduction page for more info on the Volunteers Pre-requisites, different Positions & Job Descriptions. Closing date is Jan 6 for key marshals and Jan 31 for all other positions.



IF YOU have been waiting eagerly to sign up as a volunteer marshal for the inaugural Formula One race here next September, the time has arrived.
Registration for places starts today on the official website www.singaporegp.sg. Race promoter Singapore GP has announced that 800 slots are available.

Marshals carry out duties essential to the smooth running of a Formula One race. These range from signalling race conditions to clearing debris from the track and checking on car crashes.

Singapore's race marshals will be trained by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (Cams), which has been appointed as the official race organisation consultant for the Singapore F1 race.

They will interview the interested candidates before selecting them. Volunteers can state their preferred job, but where they are eventually deployed depends on individual skills, interest and an assessment of their suitability and availability.

Organisers are looking for people with a clean bill of health and excellent fitness, as the marshals are expected to be on their feet throughout the event. However, the chief concern is whether the volunteer can commit to the training, which will last seven to eight months. Most of this training will be in the form of e-modules online. This will cover areas like basic marshalling knowledge, protocol, procedures and circuit information, and can be done at their own pace.

In all, volunteers can expect to put in an average of 9.5 days of their time. This includes classroom and practical training sessions, as well as actual race-day deployment.

The marshals are expected to be ready for action by July or August - at least one month before race day on Sept 28. Key marshals - 30 to 40 of them - will also be sent to overseas races like the 2008 Australian Grand Prix to gain practical experience.

They will be taking on important deputy positions, such as the Deputy Clerk of the Course, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Flag Marshal. They will also be taught to train other marshals. Between 70 and 80 experienced Australian marshals are also expected to head this way to assist in the inaugural Singapore race.

F1 fanatics here have been clamouring for these coveted positions, as they can get in the thick of action and possibly have a trackside view of the race. The Singapore Motor Sports Association (SMSA) first announced in May that it was helping Singapore GP look for suitable candidates. Since then, Singapore GP has received more than 300 e-mail enquiries.

Besides being a part of history, all marshals will receive a certificate of appreciation. Student volunteers can also get Community Involvement Programme points and all volunteers will also be certified by the SMSA to marshal in future motorsport events.