In 2003, friends Frank Buttner and Thomas Weidmer travelled, along with other colleagues from their home in the Saxony region of Germany to be part of the marshalling team of poste 106 for the first time. They had started their marshal training in 1999, in preparation for the opening of the Lausitzring circuit in 2000 and had gained experience from the meetings they had completed. But nothing had prepared them for what was to follow.

They were joining the ‘International Marshals Poste’, led by experienced chef de poste Bernard Nirrengarten, and they would meet up with marshals from all around Europe, live under canvas for a week, learn from the other nationalities involved, and work at the great race. The camaraderie, the sharing of knowledge, the partying during the off-duty times, as well as the professionalism showed when on-duty trackside.

Frank would go home and tell his younger sister Antje all about this adventure, so much that she wanted to experience it for herself, as a guest of the poste. So it was that she travelled the 1400 kilometres in the back of the car with Frank and Thomas in 2005, even though she had never been to a live motorsport meeting before. She in turn loved it so much that on returning to Germany, she undertook her marshal training and worked her first event later that summer, before returning to Le Mans 2006 as a new member of the poste 106 team!

But then in 2007, an extra person arrived on the scene – Cupid!

Antje fell for the charms of Thomas, right here at Le Mans, surrounded by colleagues and friends who never suspected a thing at the time! And Frank had met Yvonne who became the lady of his life, attend the 2008 race as a guest, go back home and also train up as a marshal, and so it was that the four of them would work together over the next few years, both here at Le Mans and other major events.

This would change with the birth of children for each of the couples, the ladies stepping down from marshalling duties to bring up their young. But once they were old enough, they were also brought along to Le Mans, where they found themselves surrounded by many new ‘uncles and aunts’ amongst the other marshals.

And the tradition continues to this day, the tents now replaced by motorhomes which makes the experience more comfortable and enables each family to make Le Mans part of their annual holiday, along with some sightseeing along the way.

Frank and Thomas will be trackside at sector 8/9, the new home for the old poste team since 2015, for the 16th time without interruption. Why? For the love of the sport, a passion for the duty, and respect for their fellow colleagues. They will breathe the special energy that being part of the great race brings.

And they will come together to share the love for a special man who will be missing at Le Mans for the first time in over 40 years, with the sad passing of Bernard in late 2017. His love to work with marshals of so many different nationalities has led onto many marvellous things, and so many ‘lovely’ memories.

 

Steve,