LOCAL resident, John Painter has come back from working trackside at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) with a smile on his face, after taking in an experience like no other.
All in the week he was in America, John took in the sights at Texas before taking his position at turn 16 as a track marshal, right below the COTA observation tower.
John said, “What an amazing experience! My first view of COTA was when I drove into the car park on the Thursday afternoon and saw the large marshal’s tent. I introduced myself to the officials and was made very welcome.
“I also met a fellow Aussie from South Australia, Graeme Eberhard. We were taken for a trip around the place in a golf buggy by their flags chief, checking out the track and the pits. I arrived the next morning and we were loaded onto school buses and transported to our points. We were briefed before we started work, repeating this ritual on each of the three days.
“As the temperature rose, I was able to discard warmer clothing, revealing the larrikin in me as my wife had sewn small Aussie flags onto the sleeves of my shirt. The spectators all knew where I was from and they all wanted to hear me say ‘G’day mate.’ It certainly got some great comments.
“I also had many questions regarding Phillip Island and as a result there are quite a few American marshals that want to experience the island.
“It was an experience I will not forget for a long time.”
