Long-Serving Motorsport Volunteer Honored as Volunteer of the Year

Maurice Bennington, a devoted car enthusiast from Carleton Rode, near Attleborough, Norfolk, has been recognized as Motorsport UK’s volunteer of the year. He has dedicated 56 years to volunteering at three prominent racing circuits: Snetterton, Silverstone, and Brands Hatch, where he is regarded as a “lynch pin of the marshalling community”. Mr. Bennington expressed surprise at the award, stating, “we’re just the people in orange who make sure it happens”. Mr. Bennington shared that throughout his tenure, he has forged strong friendships with notable figures in the sport, such as former racing drivers Jackie Stewart and David Coulthard. He reiterated his surprise regarding the award, adding, “It came as a bit of a shock, I wasn’t expecting it, we do it so drivers can race and enjoy themselves.” He recounted his initial visit to Snetterton, Norfolk, at the age of nine, where he sat at the hairpin, and, as he put it, it “went from there”. “As soon as I was old enough and passed my test, I was up there every weekend watching,” he stated. Subsequently, he began marshalling on Saturday mornings and currently divides his leisure time among the three circuits. His responsibilities include serving as the chief paddock marshal at Snetterton, and at Brands Hatch, Kent, he manages the crossroads and operates the gates. He further detailed, “At the Grand Prix [at Silverstone in Northamptonshire] for the past three years I’ve inherited a new job at Stowe Corner looking after the paddock club people. “You meet so many different people and I’ve met so many friends in all walks of life, it’s the reason you do it.”” A spokesperson for Motorsport UK commented, stating: “His strong moral compass, and sense of right and wrong has helped many young people in their formative years. “Many have gone on to greater things within the sport, and some have cause to thank him for starting their working careers in motorsport.”” The spokesperson also described him as a “lynch pin” and “a walking, talking, encyclopaedia of people and events throughout his personal motorsport experience”. For updates on East of England news, follow BBC Norfolk and BBC Northamptonshire on X, Instagram, and Facebook. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.