Tay Forest Challenge
Marshals Page
Marshal training day Sunday 17th August
Meet at Pitlochry Tourist Info for 9.30am
Marshalling AFC is possibly the best option for those who love serious off road driving but are still sufficiently sane to not want to compete. It remains probably the best and only way to safely and easily spectate.
There are only 4 of us involved in the running of a very large competition and (apart from the obvious) we need help any, part or all the days listed below . We are looking for people to help set, clear and mark the sections, and to marshal on the weekend itself.
Whilst we cannot pay any travelling expenses, marshalling is pretty much the only way of spectating without having to walk or cycle miles each way.
What is involved?
The role of the Marshals in this event will be to manage the safety of the competitors, spectators and any members of the public who may arrive on the scene, by using common sense and following the detailed advice given in the Guidance Sheet which is issued to each Marshal.
Each Team of 2 vehicles will be allocated a marshal for that day who will travel with the team in his/her own vehicle from section to section, making sure speed limits are kept to. They will then observe the team as it traverses each section to see that they comply with the rules laid down for the event, and that they do not take any shortcuts. The competitors will be made well aware of the rules governing the event and what to expect of the marshal, so there should be no excuses for infringements! The marshal will also have a penalty card where they will log and infringements and the organisers will penalise the team involved. The event is not a navigation exercise, just pure off-road mayhem, but the teams MUST observe speed limits, rules and the sequence in which the sections are tackled.
The marshal will only be driving his/her vehicle on forest tracks, which are rough enough to require a 4x4 with some tracks being sufficiently overgrown that you would not want to bring your Range Rover Sport! Teams will be self recovering in the event of breakdowns so marshals' vehicles need not be equipped for recovery though the marshal should have a mobile phone and/or CB radio. The guidance sheet will also contain information to follow in the event of an emergency situation and a permanently manned Command & Control Post will take your call and arrange for the appropriate response team to react.
In the months leading up to the event, the forest will be surveyed and new sections will be cut. This will involve some tree felling (dead trees only) and brush cutting and will require volunteers to come along and help. This a perfect opportunity for marshals to familiarise themselves with the area and see what challenges await the competitors.
Setting up
There are 3 Sundays earmarked for clearing the 25+ sections. During these, dangerous obstacles are moved/made safe, brush cleared, dead trees chopped up and brush/body level branches removed for safety.Marshalling
Although the final plans have not been made, we are unlikely to change from previous years.
Marshals will be given full instructions including
detailed section descriptions
rules for competitors
guidance on safety and
marshalling procedures
Each team will be assigned a marshal who will be with them for at least a full morning/afternoon
Marshal's vehicles will not be leaving the forest tracks so although 4x4s are needed, road standard vehicles will be fine and whilst unlikely to be damaged (although we cannot guarantee it!) please be aware that access to some sections involves driving past bushes and trees.
If you are interested please email Andy P
IMPORTANT ADVICE FOR SPECTATORS
MOTORSPORT IS DANGEROUS - THIS IS AN EXTREME WINCHING EVENT WITHOUT SPECTATOR PROVISION - PLEASE TAKE CARE
We are often asked if we have stages or sections that are best for spectators and what arrangements are made for those 4x4 enthusiasts who want to come and watch the action. This page has some vital information for anyone thinking of coming to watch the general madness and mayhem that is the Forest Challenges.
General information for visitors
TFC is held in the Tay Forest near Pitlochry in an area about 10 miles north-east and does not have any facilities for spectators cars. As with all such land, the Forest is open to any and all visitors and makes a great day out for all the family with special attraction for cyclists, walkers and nature buffs of all types, but before you come especially to watch TFC please bear the following in mind:
sections are deep in the forest.
Most sections are not visible from the tracks
The sections require serious effort to even walk through and cover some extremely rough, slippy and generally treacherous ground
No special arrangements have been made for spectators i.e. viewing areas, safe routes, toilets etc
Any spectator is just a visitor to the Forest and whilst we are happy for you come and visit our Countryside, we cannot stress strongly enough that this Competition is taken very seriously by everyone involved and we will not have time to help, guide or assist spectators.
IMPORTANT ADVICE FOR SPECTATORS
MOTORSPORT IS DANGEROUS - THIS IS AN EXTREME WINCHING EVENT WITHOUT SPECTATOR PROVISION - PLEASE TAKE CARE
Only organiser, competitor, or marshal vehicles will be allowed past the locked entrance gate
Vehicles will be moving back and forth all day with tired and adrenaline fuelled competitors - You need to be as aware of them as they of you.
The tracks are rough enough to require good walking gear, the Sections are EXTREME and must be considered a hazardous walking environment. We use the steepest, muddiest, roughest areas that even the Forestry boys avoid so are you sure you want to come for a nice day out?
We really mean EXTREME, last year one section had a 20 foot high cliff in it. We get knackered just walking the stages!