For Jon Cordery, Rallying has always been his passion, seeing him travel all around the UK and make some lifelong friends…

How did you get into motorsport?

I started marshalling in 1978 by getting to know a group who shared a mutual interest in railways.  We met on several rail tours and my father suggested that I should keep in touch with them.  This developed into being invited to go marshalling on a rally and I joined the British Motor Racing Marshals Club (subsequently the British Motorsport Marshals Club) which the group were members.  Later that year saw me marshalling on the Lombard RAC Rally for the first time and I marshalled the event under its different disguises until 2019 when the UK ceased to host a round of the World Rally Championship.

What made you decide to become a marshal?

I enjoyed the comradery of the group and travelling around the country to marshal different events.  Through this comradery I now have friends all over the UK which has allowed me to marshal the Manx International Rally for 20 years and the Mull Rally for over 30 years.  My involvement in the sport developed into becoming a Trainer for the MSA (now Motorsport UK) and I was subsequently invited to become an International Trainer by the governing body.

Do you have any advice for anyone considering volunteering?

If anyone is interested in getting involved with the sport, I would recommend joining your local motor club for marshalling a rally.  If your interest is circuit racing then taking a taster day would give you an idea of what is involved.  Following the sport on social media will let you know when and where events are taking place and you can volunteer direct to an event even if you don’t belong to a club.

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