Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club, Saloon & GT Championship Round 7 & 8 Brands Hatch 31st July & 1st August

Finding the right words to explain the excitement and drama of a Jaguar race weekend is never easy. When that weekend involves the sad death of a volunteer marshal whatever happened in the race pales to insignificance.

On Saturday 31^st at Brand Hatch shortly after our JEC Saloon & GT race had finished. The CTCRC Pre 93/03 race took to the circuit at approximately 13:20. The grid of twenty-eight cars including one of our Jaguars competing as a guest completed the first lap, crossed the line, and headed for Paddock Hill bend. Two cars immediately behind the leading pack made slight contact before one car veered left, it then barrel rolled in the air and crashed on to the marshal post towards the end of the straight. One marshal was sadly killed another marshal and the driver were badly injured and were taken to hospital. The Air Ambulance attended the scene, and no further racing place took that day.

The marshal that died was named on the Monday after the race as Robert Foote. Having read the many tributes to Robert, he was clearly like so many race marshals an unsung hero. A man in his sixties and recently a widower Robert had devoted much of his life to public service. He served as Mayor of Epsom & Ewell from 2014-2015 and was a local councillor since 2003 until his passing. He was passionate about helping others including his work to support the local food bank.

Robert was a highly skilled engineer working in the aircraft industry, also as a motor vehicle technician. He was well known amongst the marshal community and like so many of his friends and colleagues gave up most weekends so that clubs like the JEC/CTCRC/BARC can go racing.

Many in the motorsport community have been shocked by the nature of Robert’s death including Sir Lewis Hamilton who paid tribute to the marshal on social media. Marshals, drivers, officials, and supporters paid their respects to Robert on the Sunday with a minute’s silence at Brands Hatch and circuits up and down the country. In a very moving moment, the orange army as marshal are known, gathered at Brands Hatch prior to racing recommencing on Sunday to honour their friend before retaking their posts.

Formula W racing driver Alice Powell has created a Just Giving page to help support Robert’s family and those affected by this incident. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/forourmarshal

Our thoughts are with Robert’s family, friends, race officials and the marshal community at this sad time.