My family has a very long history with Bemsee! In the late 80s, early 90s I attended meetings as my Dad, Uncle Martin and Uncle David were marshalling. My Mum would jump my brother Nick and me over the fence at the end of the meeting so we could walk down the track with Dad, it always made us feel like rock stars!
In 2011 I chose to join the rest of the family marshalling, best decision I ever made! Marshalling with my Mum, Dad and Nick, and my extended Bemsee family was just what I needed. It was also the year I met my other half after he crashed with me at Mountain Bottom at Cadwell!
In 2013 I trained as a corner commander/IO. I was terrified initially but actually turned out to be quite good at it! It's certainly challenging to stay calm when dealing with incidents out on circuit and ensuring everyone is where they need to be, but it really opened my eyes as to what I was capable of.
Between 2011-2017 depending on the circuit we were at and how many marshals we had, I would occasionally help in other areas when they were short of people. I helped in Race Control at Snetterton and Cadwell doing the race log, and in Race Office (mostly doing photocopying and making tea!). I’ve enjoyed seeing how all the different areas of the Club work, and how each area affects the others (having a racer as a partner has also meant I see it from the other side as well!)
In 2017 I fell pregnant, as my other half Andy was racing and we were still going to the meetings anyway I continued to marshal for the 2017 season as I wasn’t due until December, but as the year went on, I had to switch from pick up to flags due to the increasing size of my bump.
From then until now I’ve gradually increased my involvement within the Race Office. Despite finances preventing Andy from racing as much currently I knew I still wanted to continue to help at Bemsee whenever I could and being in the office has given me the chance to do that. I enjoy seeing the meeting from a different perspective, and I like to think my experience in helping in other areas gives me a good understanding from all sides. And my family history with the Club means I want nothing more than to continue a long tradition of Hodgins being a part of Bemsee.
