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| In Safe hands.... |
JHo- When did stock car start for you? How did you get involved in the running of the sport?
NW - I started far to long ago as the mascot for Jonny Marquand (ex689, 1965 World Champion). The connection was my mum was John's secretary at the garage and I used to ride around on the parade lap holding the WF trophy.
From there I was a fan of the sport following racing where I could and helping out such luminaries of the sport like Mike Nancekivell (ex553) John Marquand (ex489) and Piers Cockerell (ex497).
I fell into the running of the sport by being in the right place at the right time. I used to stand by race control and Trevor Redmond was discussing that he was short of a fire Marshall at a Taunton meeting. I was then employed as a safety officer/ trainer for the MoD undertaking fire training. I offered to help and the rest is history.
JHo - How did you end up as a Steward?
NW- I have done every on track job and was the Clerk of the Course when the final was last at Taunton. Terry Soper had also made it known he wished to retire after the World Final and I was asked to replace him. Initially I was not overly keen as I liked the job as clerk as it was closer to the action and provided a great buzz. At the end of the season I found the job of stewarding a thankless but fulfilling task and therefore decided to give it my best shot. I was pleased to be asked a couple of years later to undertake the stewarding of the Arena Essex world final ( length of meeting not down to me!). Therefore this will be my second WF but I am just as proud to be the steward for this final.
JHo - Nick, you have one of the most important jobs on World Final day.... does this make you nervous?
NW- I do not really suffer with nerves. I will be full of anticipation and excitement ( I am a fan as well!) of what hopefully will be a wonderful final. This is further supported by my confidence in the team here at Autospeed. The work and effort put in by both Andrew and Crispen supported by all members of team Autospeed is astonishing. The aim is to put on the best event possible with the best track conditions and safety. Do we always get it right... No...but more times yes then not.
JHo - How are you going to handle the day?
NW - How am I going to handle the day?
The same as any other race day. One of the less appreciated saying in our sport is " if your face fits". In the pits, in the stadium and now even more on the Internet all drivers can achieve " face fits" it's simple be reasonable, follow instruction, ask if you are unsure and treat people with respect. Those principles will get you those few precious extra moments or help, seems simple to me. However from my point of view I would support all of those principles. But when the pit gate closes drivers have accepted the rules of racing. As the steward I have a responsibility to ensure those rules and regulations are followed. Contravene the rules,expect and accept the consequences. Wherever I steward I strive for consistency, I have a bit of a reputation of being strict...... I can live with that.
JHo -Roll back to 2003, would you have made the same decision that Terry Soper did?
NW - I am 100% certain Terry Soper made the correct decision. If needed I will make the same call.
JHo - Who has been the most difficult driver to Steward?
NW - Any driver who has broken the rules.
JHo - How would you improve the racing? What rule changes would you propose.....
NW - Cost has always been a factor in our sport, from its inception up to today, people will throw money at the sport if it is available. The introduction of standard controlled parts, tyres etc has to be toughened to control and hopefully reduce costs.
The planning of the fixture list has to be renewed. Promotions are businesses. The sport needs them, the promoters need the sport. However with more co-operation I feel a better balance of fixtures can be achieved helping the drivers to travel in a more efficient manner.
Better consistency is also required in the administration and running of the sport. Breaking the rules at one track can result in a completely different decision at another. This causes confusion, anger and de motivation of both drivers and fans alike. This is caustic to the sport. Efforts are being made to improve the situation. However in my opinion it is at a glacial pace and shows the sport in a poor light.
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| Mr Wadge has the balls to make the call like the steward in 2003. Paul Brown.... |
JHo - Do you actually get to enjoy the racing?
NW - I do enjoy my racing.......but normally a few hours after it has finished. I watch the racing from a completely different perspective. As a steward you have responsibility for implementation of the rules, safety on the track, safety of the track staff and spectators and the control of the race. Once that's noted a car can move! We have a procedure we undertake before a flag is waived. Then the rolling lap and only then IF correct, a green flag with a possible Pringle ( credit you for that excellent!). Dynamic risk assessment of all incidents, issue cautions if required, check driver welfare, re grid, check ok, start procedure again, tell starter race order, issue instruction to starter, issue instructions to clerk, half way, race order, five to go, all places across line, red flag. Call winner and any others for post race checks and presentation, call drivers to report to clerk to receive words of wisdom or get bad news, authorise pit gate open, confirm result if passed post race checks, Fill in initial stewards report/ notes, call next race......start again!
Do I enjoy it..........hugely
Do I still get a buzz..... Yes especially if a big call is required. If I get it right huge pride ( with cars going in all direction still letting the race continue to get a fantastic finish) I will let you guess at that relatively recent call. If I get it wrong reflection on how not to make the same error.
I take pride in what I do, I take pride in the team around me. But most of all I remain a huge fan.
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