To our volunteer Marshals and Course Observers:
With the 2013 racing season now behind us, it comes time to
pause and express our appreciation to our volunteers, corner marshals and
course observers everywhere. We also congratulate you for seeing all of our
series through another long, successful and safe season.
From the “Florida Swing” events in March, to the season
closers in Atlanta and Fontana, the nine series represented by IMSA and IndyCar
saw plenty of changes; changes in position on track of course, but also changes
in participating venues and in two cases, a change in ownership of the series
themselves. Next season, Grand-Am and the
American Le Mans Series combine to form the Tudor United SportsCar Championship,
while the Mazda Road to Indy consolidates all three of its “rungs” under one
owner, Andersen Promotions.
The powers and personalities who brought forth these changes
have worked long and hard throughout 2013 to do so - and we recognize that our
volunteers have also worked long and hard toward making this racing season
safe, fair and enjoyable for all our competitors, officials and fans.
The terms “endurance” and “commitment” come to mind while
thinking of the challenges you all faced during the events. Extremes of heat and cold, wet and dry, day
and night. Grueling schedules, language barriers, lightning quick turn-arounds,
challenging communications and varying flag rules. It’s all in a weekend’s work
for most of you, yet you pull it off consistently, all while dealing with a
decreasing overall number of marshals nationwide.
We are proud to have each of you on our team and in our
racing family. We are thankful that you help to keep our racing safe and that you
keep yourselves safe at the same time, to which the serious incidents at VIR
and Houston – one day apart – will attest.
From all of us in Daytona, Indianapolis and across North
America to wherever you may be spending your holiday
season, please accept our sincere, heartfelt thanks to you and your loved ones
for your enthusiasm and support. Please
join us again in 2014!
With warmest regards,
Beaux Barfield, IZOD IndyCar Series | Terry Dale, IMSA Prototype Lights | Randy Hembrey, IMSA GT3 Cup & GT3 Cup Canada, Lamborghini Super Trofeo | Vince Kremer, Indy Lights Series | Bill Van de Sandt, Pro Mazda Championship & USF2000 | Paul Walter, Tudor United SportsCar Championship
Beaux Barfield, IZOD IndyCar Series | Terry Dale, IMSA Prototype Lights | Randy Hembrey, IMSA GT3 Cup & GT3 Cup Canada, Lamborghini Super Trofeo | Vince Kremer, Indy Lights Series | Bill Van de Sandt, Pro Mazda Championship & USF2000 | Paul Walter, Tudor United SportsCar Championship
