For a decade, Charmaine Hartley has been a driving force behind the scenes of motorsport in South Africa. Based in Mpumalanga, she wears many hats as a Marshal, Race Secretary, and Event Organiser, each carried out with contagious enthusiasm and a steady commitment to keeping the sport she loves running smoothly.
From Fan to Flag Post
Charmaine’s journey into officiating began with a spark of curiosity and a friend’s invitation back in 2015. “A friend introduced me to marshalling,” she recalls, “but I had to wait until I was sixteen to write my exam at KMA.”
What started as a small step soon became a calling. Her first taste of trackside action came at the Zwartkops Extreme Festival, stationed at Turn 1, a moment she remembers vividly. “When the cars came past me for the first time, it was thrilling. I even had my first incident that day when a car went into the tyre wall. I was shaking, but it made me realise just how crucial my role was.”
Juggling Radios, Paperwork, and Adrenaline
If you have ever attended a race weekend under Charmaine’s watch, you will know it is a whirlwind of early mornings, late nights, and high energy. Between managing race logistics, ensuring competitors are happy, and keeping the paperwork mountain from toppling over, she thrives in the chaos.
“It is stressful,” she admits, “but when everything comes together, it is worth every moment.”
Her favourite moments include waving at drivers and having them wave back, handing out trophies at the end of the day, and knowing all the effort was appreciated.
A Leader Shaped by the Track
Motorsport has not just shaped Charmaine’s weekends. It has shaped who she is. Once an introvert, she found her voice and her confidence through officiating. “I saw my potential as a leader,” she says. “Now I lead my team of marshals and have great relationships with everyone, from karts to cars to motorcycles.”
Her journey has taken her from Red Star Raceway to the Dullstroom National Rally Championship, and she treasures every moment, from 24-hour endurance races to rally dust and unpredictable weather. “Where team spirit meets racing, that’s where I’m happiest,” she smiles.
Living the Motorsport Life
When she is not trackside, Charmaine’s weekends still revolve around racing. She enjoys watching F1, SBK, MotoGP, and WRC, or unwinding with a good book and her own writing projects.
Asked what keeps her coming back, her answer is simple: “Motorsport South Africa made me find my purpose in this lifetime.”
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