These are some of the messages from the marshals who attended the 2009 24hr 2CV race, detailing their experiences and thoughts:

This was my first ever 24hour event, and at the age of 19 all of my mates were a bit perplexed at why I wanted to go and stand in a field watching small, slow(ish) French cars drive around an airbase all day and night.

I too had my doubts, but it was utterly fantastic. The racing kept going right down into the last hour, some drivers put in incredible drives, and summing it all up was the number 60 College car that finished a valiant 200 laps or so behind!

I'd like to thank everyone who organized the event, especially Pete Harding and his gang for timetabling the marshals with precision, and all the marshals who attended for having a great laugh, even when we couldn't see the circuit at 4am.

This will be the first date I look for next season to volunteer, and it should be yours too!!!

Jack N
Norfolk

Another fabulous event, slightly spoiled by the stoppage as it wasn't a true 24hr race, but it couldn't be helped and it was very eerie standing at Riches In and not being able to see half way round the corner, let alone the next post. I'm sure the cars are getting faster, not just due to Carl breezes new lap record, but they all seemed to be flying round the Esses, and a lot of them very close together!

Well done to Tete Rouge 1 for a fine victory and well done to Paul for his "Outstanding services to the Championship award", though roughly deserved. Well done to the Green Electricians for a great 2nd place and not giving up the chase. Talking of not giving up the chase, what can you say about Carl Breeze, 1.46 at an average speed of 67 mph, the man has no fear? Well done to Team Fineprint for their podium finish. In fact well done to all for their efforts, lots of teams could have won, but had their problems, like Team Gadget, the great entertainers. Blew their engine while in third place, heading towards the end, but changed it in less than 8 minutes!

A special mention to the Flying Dutch and all their supporters, for adding an international flavour. Hope you enjoyed it and will be back next year. It would be nice to see some others from across the water. Last but not least, the college boys with car 60. It got quite emotional seeing them struggle round the chequered flag, I think (deservedly so) they got the biggest cheer of all on the last lap, and well done for getting their just awards.

I think the marshals should give an award, seriously (after all the appreciation we have been shown, again), "The Golden Magnet" for the best moment of the race. I think car 60 could have got that as Riches corner wasn't quite as wide as they thought, on at least 2 occasions!

Only 360 days until the next one (if the date remains the same), can't wait.

Nick B
London

Having retired from marshaling for various reasons, I should have known not to venture into the bar at Snet the weekend before the 24hr. But I did and then question was asked, are you busy next weekend? We have a job for you.

Hence at 24hr weekend I turned up for a new role to me of safety car observer. After a briefing on my duties, I climbed into the passenger seat of the M3 as we led the field round to begin the race.

The first hour passed with no issues (although the radios were so quiet I did wonder if they were working!) I then took my first break returning at 10pm. It wasn't long before the first call and we were scrambled.

My first attempt at waving cars through at night by use of the green light worked fairly well, I think it being my first time and possibly the drivers unsure about the green light, did cause some minor delay. But in this 4 hour stint we were scrambled a few times and soon everything worked like clockwork. (Well apart from one driver who followed us the whole of Revett whilst we displayed a green light and virtually came to a standstill!)

I was concerned 4 hour stints sitting in the car I would be bored (or struggling to stay awake) but I hadn't allowed for the entertainment supplied by the Cater ham Graduates, who we taking stints as safety car drivers. Great fun in the car and they were all desperate to get out on the track, just so when they turned the lights out under the bridge they could accelerate a bit!! Having said that, one stint we accelerated away, expecting to be in the pits long before any 2cv approached, However as we were halfway through Russell, 2CV's start appearing in the mirrors approaching at some breakneck speed and without much slowing!!

I returned to the car at 6 am to discover a very quiet circuit and a very limited circuit in visibility. However we eventually got restarted where race control advised how many cars need to pass and I think the break helped everyone as we managed this perfectly!

My last stint whilst being very tired, I have to admit I was willing another safety care just before I finished, just to have another trip!

It was a great weekend; during the race certain procedures had to be changed due to some very canny team managers, causing headaches for all in race control.

But since the 2cv 24 hour came to snet I have been involved either as Marshal or on the pit wall for a team and I am very glad to say I still haven't missed one! Whilst I had effectively retired from Marshaling, if there was one meeting that would change my mind it was this race! I get the feeling next year I will probably be press ganged again, but if this is the only meeting I officiate at, this is the meeting. There is nothing else like it. Racing for 24 hours with constant slipstreaming, groups of cars heading into corners together and all coming out in one piece lap after lap, the drama of pit stops and problems and the way problems are fixed. The fun of the event and determination of every team to see that checkered flag.

Roll on next year as this is really the best meeting of the year!

Andy
Norwich

WOW what a weekend, my third and probably the best yet!!!

Had a great set of posts and I must thank Peter Harding for his sterling work with the allocations and rota yet again another piece of precision engineering there Pete, and was Julie and myself were only 2 happy to change posts for our 2 till 6 shift, I am sure Lynne and Steph (Cadwell Totie - Tarts on Tour (patent pending)) enjoyed the fog time on the Senna Straight chatting with drivers etc. although t was a bit bleak on Riches out. Still amazed how quick the fog came down 1 minute I am on the phone reporting slight whips of mist, and in the time it took to put coffee in 2 cups and turn round it was as though someone had pulled down a grey blind in front of the catch fence.

As Terry said the post race party was great and I must thank Paul and the 2CV guys for the BBQ it was very welcome. And also thanks to Team Gadget and their star attraction "Kevin" for the entertainment and also not to be out done the marshals and Snetterton's own table surfing singer John. Who once again managed to spend £90 whilst singing a song. The party didn't end when the lights went out in Tyrrell's, Hannah aka "Simon" was great fun and though she didn't know any of us joined in with the fun and games.

The party of orange clad nutters deprived of sleep then ventured down to the pit garages where we were invited in to a 2am indoor alcohol fueled swing ball tournament at Team fluffy dice and Gadget with the now infamous Kevin, what a great bunch of guys.

The party then moved to the marquee of the flying Dutchmen team where it continued to around 4.30 am. New friendships have been made both with marshals and drivers. This is now firmly placed at the very top of the list of meetings not to be missed.

Yes the 2cv's are fairly slow but they race properly and the atmosphere over the whole weekend is just fantastic. Roll on 2010.

Dean W
Louth

Yet another amazing weekend.... paired with Paul Buckland for the weekend ensured no falling asleep on post with all his stories but cheers to him for keeping me laughing for the 2nd 24 Hour meeting this year. Thanks to Pete Harding for a smooth rota compilation. Cheers to all the teams for a fantastic race... Well done to Tete Rouge for winning!

What a time at the end of race party! Unfortunately I had to make my way back up north early in the morning and couldn't stay as late as everyone else but I had an awesome time.

Another shout out to all the marshals.... the Cadwell mafia, Mike, Nick, Stu, Dave, Hannah, Terry, and the Snet crew for a great laugh. Roll on Next year!

Mandy
Coningsby