The F1GP in Melbourne has approx 1200 officials [volunteers], almost half are 'Firies', the next most numerous are called 'Track Marshals' [Trackies]....the ones you usually see ontrack clearing prangs, pushing cars, etc.  Next most prevalent is the 'Flaggies'....usually around 3 per post/corner.  Fewer still are the 'Comms' [for which I adopted 'Jafo's']...we're the Designated 'Observers' whose prime role is to report [communicate] to race control on occurrences within our sector of the track....racing 'incidents' such as crashes. blow-ups, rule violations, debris, oil dropping, etc.

Most people roll us all into 'flaggies' as if there is no difference....and of course the longer you do it the more likely you will have done all the 'trades' at one time or another.  I've swept an entire track [on my own...call me bored], picked up a World SuperSports on my own cos it was pinning the rider's leg....push-started Senna from pit-exit [on my own....someone's telling me something here... ], Been Sector Marshal, driver's left 'turn 2' in the chicane in Adelaide....waved the chequered flag on various occasions in SBK and MotoGP, written Incident reports to forward to the Stewards [26 in one day was my record]...been to a FIA Stewards hearing regarding Arnoux and Berger after a coming-together that put both out, and made the last communication which put the nail in the coffin of the shortest GP ever [13 laps] when Mansell forgot to turn left at turn 3, Adelaide...[God it was wet].

Worst day for wet was the 1992 World Superbikes at Phillip Island....was a 6 hour relay...to start at 3pm and end at 9pm under lights......it started raining at 8am....first hyperthermia was at 3 [first of many]...rain ended at 9.  I stood in a 6ft x 6ft mound of mud surrounded by water for 13 hours.

Worst day for heat....2002 Historic Bikes Phillip Island [on my own]....42.6 c air temp in the shade.....but start/finish has no shade...just bitumen and concrete....almost chucked it in but then the temp dropped to the 90's F and I was fine....