Track safety is our number one concern at the track. What we do does have it's share of danger. Of course we all accept that risk when we participate. But there was an incident Sunday that demonstrates how quickly things can go bad.

In this photo Dan Laswell was marshalling a car on the triple, and was almost face planted by an oncoming buggy. As Dan's luck that day would have it, Slim caught it on film. I was told that Dan was about one second away from getting hit in the face when he took the dive.

It is very important that marshals do not go into oncoming traffic. We all appreciate a quick

Guidelines for Effective Turn Marshalling
 

1.)   Watch only your section of the track. Do not watch the race.

2.)   Keep both hands free. Don't eat, drink, or smoke while marshalling.

3.)  Oncoming traffic has the right of way. Marshall the wrecked car only when you can  do so without interfering with traffic.

4.)  Try to marshal the car that was leading, first.

5.)  If a car jumped the barrier, place it back in the lane it left.

6.)  If a car stops in your section, pick it up and place it down once. If it doesn't start, then pick it up and place it out of the way. It is not your responsibility to turn the car off, or run across the track to take the car to the sidelines.

7.)  Do not place a marshaled vehicle on the track in front of oncoming traffic.

8.)  Marshals DO NOT work on broken or disabled vehicles.

9.)  Do not throw cars.

10.) Do not leap or jump into the air. It only increases your chances of landing on someone's car.

11.) Do not touch a vehicle if it is still being accelerated by the driver. Drivers let go of the trigger if you want to be marshaled.

12.) Marshall like you want to be marshaled.

13.) Drivers do not yell or scream at the marshals.

14.) For the protection of the turn marshals, all gearbox type vehicles must run a gear cover.

It is also advisable that all marshals wear gloves.