Through the passage of time most of the race weekends seem to blur in to one so when I have been asked for a brief CV of my involvement in Bemsee this had led me to scratching my head as it feels like I have been part of this wonderful family forever!
My (now) husband Chris started with Bemsee helping a rookie, then when he stopped racing Chris found himself wanting to continue having some involvement in racing so joined the marshalling team at BSB and Startline team at Bemsee. I worked shifts at the time so could rarely make a full weekend or would be rushing down to Brands Hatch after my night shift! I would hear about how awesome it was and wonderful the “Bemsee family” were and roll my eyes as surely standing around in all weathers couldn’t be that great!?!
I think it was then in 2014 I worked better shifts and started with some BSB marshalling and pit lane duties. Then eventually in 2016 when I only had to work 1 in 4 weekends, I was able to commit to Bemsee and was invited to join the Startline…. I remember being so nervous but WOW! The love and the micky taking from the team, especially our glorious leader Jeff Matthews was another level, I quickly gained the nickname Morse and was made to feel so welcome, this really was a “Bemsee family”. I have always worked in teams, it's what I do and love, and this was no different. I soon realised that not just the Startline but every single person that turns up to volunteer with this club does it for the love and to get our riders out there racing, and they don’t just do it…. They do it well! Everyone works so well together to get the job done come rain, shine or snow!
I was honoured to be awarded ‘Official of the Year’ in 2019. My favourite memory from this season was landing back from Jamaica at Gatwick at 6am and making it to Snetterton for the first race that day, there was no way I was missing a Bemsee weekend unless I had to!
This sport inevitably comes with the very occasional low which at the time has made me question why I do this, but the answer to that is …… For the love of the sport and for your love of, and passion for the sport. I love seeing how proud (and frustrated at times) all your friends and family are of you all.
This club brings such fabulous (and slightly crazy) people together in this shared passion, I have made and continue to make lifelong friends and am forever grateful for that.
I very much look forward to being your new ‘Chief of Startline’ however I am acutely aware that I have some massive boots to fill, I may not have the moustache or smell of wee (yet) but I hope to do as good a job as Jeff did over the past 25 years with the wonderful team beside me.
I can’t wait to meet again old and new faces on the Startline and in club houses for medal and spot prize presentations
