Kyle and Fiona Moffat were going back to school for a rest on Monday morning after a busy weekend helping at their first motorsport event. The twins, who attend Canmore Primary school in Dunfermline, were helping to provide essential safety cover as Cadet Marshals at the Jim Clark Rally in the Borders, one of the largest rally events in Scotland. They spent Saturday, along with the other members of the “Orange Army” of motorsport Marshals on the stop line of the Edrom Stage in blistering sunshine, helping with giving competitors their times, and communicating via the safety radio; then Sunday in intermittently pouring rain helping at a large spectator area on the Westruther Stage.
Being involved in the running of motorsport has felt like a long time in coming for Kyle and Fiona. Motorsport UK, the governing body for motorsport in Britain, allow children to become Cadet Marshals from age 11, when they can help in regulated circumstances under adult supervision. Big sister Katie, now 15, took part in her first event almost 5 years ago, also coincidentally the Jim Clark Rally, then run in November 2019. She has been bitten by the motorsport bug and has continued to help with around 3 events each year, fitted in between school and family commitments.
Whilst Kyle and Fiona have been waiting patiently since their 11th birthday in September last year to be able to don their orange tabards for their first event, they have already been involved in international motorsport. Dad, Guy, and Step Mum, Yvonne, are also both involved in motorsport and the whole family are members of the Scottish Motorsport Marshals Club. During the pandemic, in 2020, there was a national competition open for children whose parents were involved in motorsport and who also worked for the NHS. Thanks to Yvonne’s work in the NHS, Kyle and Fiona were able to enter, and after being judged by a panel including F1 driver Lando Norris, won the opportunity to become virtual “Grid Kids” for the British Grand Prix in Silverstone. This led to them being shown on international television smiling and waving at Knockhill Racing Circuit whilst the British National Anthem was played prior to the race.
Luckily, Kyle and Fiona do not have to wait so long for their next event – they will be back in the Borders at the weekend, helping with the Scottish Summer Hill Rally.
Anyone interested in becoming a motorsport marshal can receive more information by contacting us at joinus@smmc.org.uk
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