World Championship prize for motorsport marshals

One island motorsport volunteer will be rewarded for his or her commitment to the sport with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to work as an official marshal at a World Championship event in 2026. The new scheme, administered by the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF), was announced at BMF Marshals Day at Bushy Park on Sunday (January 19).
  BMF President, Senator Andrew Mallalieu, said: “Everyone who has signed up here today has made the first step to becoming a marshal at a Formula 1 Grand Prix or a round of the World Rally Championship in 2026. After attending next month’s Training Weekend and signing on as a volunteer for at least 10 events this year, you will have the chance of being an official marshal outside of Barbados.”
  Despite a couple of short but heavy early afternoon showers, Sunday’s first official motor sport gathering of the year was deemed a success. Nearly 70 marshals attended, ranging in age from the mid-teens to the early 70s, including 11 signing up for the first time. Many of the attendees enjoyed high speed passenger rides on the circuit thanks to Martin Atwell, Ryan Boyce, Sean Corbin, Roger Hill, Stephen Nicholls, Kyle Proverbs, Geoffrey Ullyett and Michael Worme. There were also refreshments and raffle prizes including motor sport memorabilia and dinners at island restaurants.
  Before he announced the new award, the BMF President said: “Many of you will know me first as a driver, able to enjoy events in the island thanks to all of you who volunteer your time to ensure the safety of competitors and spectators. But I am also a volunteer, albeit as a Steward – last year, I worked at 14 events, all four-day weekends, nearly 60 days, and I find it very fulfilling. I hope you find volunteering in our sport as fulfilling as I do, and that whoever makes it to become an official F1 or WRC marshal next year enjoys the experience.”
  Event Director of BCIC Rally Barbados Neil Barnard also spoke: “Thanks to Bushy Park Barbados for affording us the space to celebrate the work of our marshals. They are the lifeblood of this sport and we are working to maintain what we already have and bolster it up for the future. Rallying is going from strength to strength, we had record-breaking entries last year and anticipate even greater numbers this year.” Barnard also thanked the organising committee of Jeanne Crawford, Leslie Evanson, Dexter Griffith, Michelle King, Corey Reece and David Williams, along with the volunteers who helped with signing-in and competitors who helped with refreshments and entertainment.
  The next date on the calendar for the sport’s volunteers is back at Bushy Park for the BMF Motorsport Training Weekend (February 1/2), which will cover all aspects motor sport organisation and safety in a series of classroom sessions, followed by practical demonstrations. In addition to the training for volunteers, separate sessions are also planned for rally co-drivers.

Editor’s note: the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) is the island’s governing body for motor sport, affiliated to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It also represents the interests of its Member Clubs in discussions with Government departments which facilitate the sport in the island, in particular the Ministry of Transport, which permits road closures for an agreed number of events each year. Away from motor sport, the BMF affiliate which answers the FIA Mobility remit is the Barbados Automobile Association (BAA).

For media information only. No regulatory value.

For further information, please contact:
BMF Vice-President - Sport, David Williams - e-mail: vicepresident@bmf-fia.com
web site: https://bmf-fia.com/