On road rallies, you'll probably be asked to visit the start to sign on with the Chief Marshal

Time Cards and Procedures on road rallies can vary from event to event so make sure that you're familiar with what you have to do at your particular control.

Leave for your marshalling location in plenty of time to get ready before the due time of the first course cars.

Think about where you are to park and stand - don't leave yourself vulnerable if a competitor comes into your control and can't stop, and try to ensure that the road's not blocked to other users.

Keep a clear check sheet of all the times given because it's surprising how often these are needed to confirm results.

You may be asked to run two or three controls during a road rally. If so try to avoid the rally route itself, and drive carefully and considerately on your travels.

If you're marshalling on a stage rally, you'll usually be asked to sign on with the Stage Commander.

You'll be told the sector you are to marshal - usually between, or at, numbered junctions - and you may be given a map showing the junctions as well as rescue and recovery vehicle and radio points. If not, ask the Stage Commander where they'll be.

Check the timing schedule and the procedure for the stage to be declared ready and to indicate when marshals are stood down, then go to your post. When you get there, park in a safe position well away from the stage.

Then introduce yourself to the nearest Sector Marshal or radio Operator. Sector Marshals control the sector and are responsible for briefing marshals and for dealing with any incidents.

Rallying involves a large number of people, so it's important that everyone knows their role and the part they're expected to play in the team.

Understand the limit of your responsibilities and don't exceed them; follow the chain of command and support senior organisers. In rallying especially, people should be prepared to be multi-functional and carry out duties they wouldn't normally do.

 Check that the stage furniture - rally arrows, box junctions, spectator tapes and so on - is in position.

Ensure spectators are in a safe position - consider the lines the rally cars are likely to take, and keep in mind it's far, far easier to advise someone where to stand before they get settled than to have to move them later because they're in a dangerous place.

At the end of a stage rally stay on your post until stood down by the Stage Commander - possibly via the nearest Radio Operator - or until the Course Closing Car passes your location. NEVER assume a stage is over. There can be delays between cars perhaps due to an incident on your stage which has led to an emergency vehicle being called in, or maybe an incident on a previous stage has caused a gap.

Always take care. Recovery and Rescue Vehicles may still have work to do and competitors who have been recovered may be driving through the stage. Be prepared to help any Recovery or Rescue Crew dealing with vehicles in your sector, by protecting the scene and deploying fire extinguishers - possibly by using the Recovery Unit's own extinguishers. You may need to keep spectators away and warn the Recovery Operator if you see something's going wrong.

Before you leave, take down any stage "furniture - arrows, tape, signs, brushwood barriers, etc., and leave it as instructed by the Stage Commander, usually in a pile by the track for the equipment officer to collect.

Finally, remember to take any litter away with you.