Your passion projects

Meet Catherine Stewart and Esther Crook, motorsports enthusiasts

Our brilliant volunteers have so many interesting hobbies. We want to hear all about them, so each issue we’re meeting Girlguiding members with special talents or interests.

Crowds cheering. The screech of tyres and the roar of engines. Electricity in the air as cars race to win.

Motorsports is an exhilarating, exciting, intoxicating world – it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. From Formula 1 to cross country, drag racing to karting, about 100,000 people compete every year across the UK, with millions watching on TV. Many more besides, including mechanics, safety marshals and stewards, make races possible.

Girlguiding volunteers Catherine Stewart and Esther Crook both found themselves – accidentally! – drawn into this heady hobby, and now volunteer at their local racing circuits.

So how did they stumble into motorsports and why do they love it? Read on to find out…

Hi Catherine, tell us about yourself! What’s your role in Girlguiding and how long have you been with us?

'I’ve been involved with Girlguiding since I was a child, and never left! I’m now the leader of the 20th Perth Rangers. I’m also the membership growth co-ordinator for my county, responsible for getting more volunteers and girls involved in guiding.

I’m a member of the Trefoil Guild too, and am doing my Voyage award. Outside guiding, I work in a bank as a customer service adviser.'

How did you get involved in motorsports?

'Until last year, I had never done anything more than watch Formula 1 on TV! A car was just 4 wheels and an engine to me.

But my 21-year old son Craig was really into motorsports. He wanted to start volunteering as a marshal at Knockhill, our local racing circuit and Scotland's national motorsport centre. He has autism and ADHD, so he wanted me to come to an information day with him. I thought I would find a quiet corner to sew my badges onto my camp blanket while he took part. But I got roped in!'

What role did you take on?

'I signed up to be an off-track marshal. About once a month – it’s really flexible – I help out at race meetings. I make sure drivers have done their strict safety checks before they race – they’ve got their helmets on and fire extinguishers in the car, for example. I organise all the cars into the right order to start the race too. During races I marshal the pit lanes, where cars come in quickly for fuel and repairs, making sure everyone stays safe.

Craig has a different role, as an on-track marshal. He ensures the safety of the cars as they’re going round the track, looks out for damage on cars, reports any incidents, keeps spectators safe and sweeps up debris. Very occasionally, on-track marshals have to put out cars on fire too.'

What training did you have to do to be a marshal?

'Training is all through the Scottish Motor Racing Club. You don’t have to do a lot of training to get started – just an initial session on basic safety. But you can do more training to become a grade 1 marshal, on things like managing fires and health and safety.'

Why do you enjoy being a marshal?

'If you had said to me a year ago I would be getting up at silly o’clock at the weekend to go and watch cars go round a track, I would have laughed.

But I love it because it’s so different to what I usually do. It’s a really good, friendly team at Knockhill. I also love being up close and personal with the cars – even though I know nothing about them!

My son loves it too. He enjoys getting close to the cars and into the bits of the track where the public aren’t allowed. The other volunteers are really supportive of him.'

What role did you take on?

'I signed up to be an off-track marshal. About once a month – it’s really flexible – I help out at race meetings. I make sure drivers have done their strict safety checks before they race – they’ve got their helmets on and fire extinguishers in the car, for example. I organise all the cars into the right order to start the race too. During races I marshal the pit lanes, where cars come in quickly for fuel and repairs, making sure everyone stays safe.

Craig has a different role, as an on-track marshal. He ensures the safety of the cars as they’re going round the track, looks out for damage on cars, reports any incidents, keeps spectators safe and sweeps up debris. Very occasionally, on-track marshals have to put out cars on fire too.'

How can Girlguiding members get involved with marshalling?

'You can volunteer as a cadet marshal from the age of 11. You can work off-track like me, then when you’re 16 you can go on-track. There are so many opportunities, from helping with radio communications to first aid to sweeping up gravel.

And don’t think it’s just for boys. Load of girls volunteer and there are lots of female drivers now too.

It’s on my to-do list to take my Rangers karting at Knockhill – and some leaders!'

Esther, thanks for talking to us! How are you involved with Girlguiding?

'I’ve been involved with Girlguiding since the age of 6, and I’m now 51! My auntie was my Brownie guider, my mum was my Guide guider and I’ve been a leader for 20 years. I run the 1st Kimbolton Brownies and I help with Guide and Rainbow units too.

I’m also a district commissioner, and by day, work as a teaching assistant.'

How did you get involved in motorsports?

'It’s really my husband’s fault! He’s been racing cars for years. I was watching him one day about 12 years ago, when someone approached me about volunteering. And the rest is history.

I started off helping out at Mazda racing events. Then 4 years ago, I became coordinator for the National Formula Ford Championship, part of the British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC). The Championship is where the likes of Eddie Irvine, Jenson Button and David Coulthard started their careers.'

What does your role involve?

'The role involves liaising with drivers and teams to organise them for races, and answering any enquiries that come in from the website. Then at the circuit, it’s my job to make sure everyone knows what they should be doing – what time the races are, for example. Organising racing drivers, who are generally aged 16-24, is a bit like herding cats!

During races, I sit in the race control area with the course clerk to deal with any issues with drivers. I award the trophies too. I’m also the safeguarding officer for the BRSCC, an important role as we have young people racing. My training with Girlguiding helped me secure this position.'

Why do you love the role?

'It’s the people who make it. It’s a great team and everybody works well together. You just have fun and that’s what it’s all about. My husband is still racing, so I get to support him too.'

What’s your favourite part of the role?

'The pinnacle of my year is helping coordinate the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch circuit. We can have up to 90 drivers all fighting to win the prestigious title. I take great pride in organising this, and it’s a fantastic event.'

How can Girlguiding members get involved in motorsports?

'From driving or being a mechanic, to coordinator roles like mine or being a marshal, there are lots of opportunities. Motorsport UK, the governing body that looks after motorsport in the UK, is really good at encouraging young people. Getting in touch with them or having a look on their website for opportunities in your area would be a good first step.

There are lots of female role models in motorsports now. A number of women drive in the BRSCC, including Megan Gilkes, Jade Edwards and Abbie Eaton. They’re all doing great things. And there are lots of women volunteering too as coordinators and marshals. Join us!'

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