THANK YOU, MARSHALS
- Dom Bessell
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
A Marshalling Recap of 2025
It goes without saying, if there are no marshals, there is no hill. Without our marshals, all of which are volunteers, we cannot host a sport event. This is the same for every single motorsport event across the country.
For all 30 events this year that have involved the Prescott Speed Hill Climb, we have had "The Orange Army" come out in force, braving all weathers to ensure that the hill is safe to run. Marshal's are the first response team in any incident and every driver puts their trust in them when they take to the hill. The days are long but many laughs are shared, lets recap their highlights from the season.
Test Day
Test Day is as much a test for drivers and their cars as it is for the marshals and officials. Dusting off the winter cobwebs in a smaller entry event with no results results in a soft atmosphere. Those in the paddock especially get to enjoy more open chats with the drivers as they tweak items on their cars ready for the next run.
The First British Round
Hosting the opening round of the British Hill Climb Championship comes with its pressures, drivers who are eager to get on track, spectators ready for the action, and the knowledge that the entire event is live on HillClimb TV. More notably from my perspective, it is the event with the largest entry capacity of the year. 192 cars will receive six runs over the weekend, not to forget an extra 24 runs to accommodate for with the two run offs. It is a great challenge for the marshals, especially hill control, to keep the event running to the timetable.
Historique
The Prescott Historique is a firm favourite in the Prescott calendar. With cars dating from the 90's back, it is a real step into the past for all in attendance. The Start Line marshals in expert form as they lined up car after car throughout the double header weekend. Fantastic sights for the marshals to enjoy such as Derek Drinkwater's STP Pontiac Nascar, even if it did struggle to get around the Pardon Hill hairpin. Not to mention a literal shed!
The Summer Run
Summer came thick and fast with a long run of events, both competitive and non-competitive. Marshals on the family oriented non-competitive days. Marshals were on hand for our busiest day of the year. Steeleford attracted a near 5,000 people onto site. A Prescott record certainly post-covid. Watching supercars in the glorious sunshine doesn't sound like a bad idea at all!
We welcomed all sorts over the summer, from supercars to three-wheelers, motorbikes and sidecars. There is a taste of everything here at Prescott and the marshals get the front line seat! Start Line marshals getting a chance to line up and chock motorbikes with our annual visit from the NHCA.
Return of the British
The September British Hill Climb Championship round brings two traditions, one is the Saturday evening BBQ. Hosted at the marshal pound, it is a key opportunity for all marshals to properly socialise, share stories and experiences and bring our marshalling community closer together. Our other tradition is the annual photo. Every marshal, official and volunteer comes to the bridge for a group shot. It is clear in the picture below just how dynamic our team is. A close knit community with a shared passion!
The Season Finale
Though not our final event of the season, it is the final championship day. Moving into early October, marshals often arrive and leave in the dark, such is the nature of the date of the event. An event that would unfortunately come to an early end. The marshals at Bridge and Orchard working tirelessly for almost an hour to clear an oil spill on the track to get the event back underway to ensure every competitor received one timed run.
Rallye Prescott
Our final event of the year, and one of the hardest for the marshals. An event that finishes at 19:30, after starting at 10:30, it is an incredibly long day for those on post. Getting dark early, the sun setting at 16:30, the marshals spend the last few hours of the event in total darkness, only the headlights of the competing cars to keep them company.
The Ones in Blue
Marshals are distinctly orange, a walking highlighter if you wish. However just as often you might have seen those in blue. These are the "officials". Clerks of the Course, Scrutineers, Time Keepers. These people have a more direct interaction with the running of the event. The timekeepers without, we would have no timing and no results. The scrutineers check for compliance and safety, both for the competitor and their car. The Clerks have overall responsibility for the event. Often in Hill Control they are the first on scene in the result of a larger incident on The Hill. Clerks have the overall say for the safety of the hill and compliance for every other matter apart from scrutineering. There must be a nominated Senior and Deputy Clerk at every meeting, without we cannot run. Prescott and the Bugatti Owners' Club have been very fortunate to have one of the most capable Clerking teams in hillclimbing.
Special Mentions
There are plenty more people involved the making the event run, special mentions go to:
Tim and Alistair - Handicappers
Mo, Mike and David - Paddock Office and Tannoy
Thelma, Dan and Camilla - Prescott Club Shop
Angie and Bridget - Marshal Lunches
Without all those mentioned above, and all those nameless volunteers, The Prescott Speed Hill Climb would cease to function, from the Bugatti Owners' Club, the competitors, fun run enjoyers and spectators alike, a massively deserved Thank You for all of your effort and time this season.
We are always looking for more marshals to join our crew. If for 2026, you're looking to give back to the community or even join the community. Please give our Chief Marshal a message on marshals@bugatti.co.uk and Sue will run you through the steps to get you on board.
