For the TT organizers, safety continues to be of paramount importance around the circuit. Advances in medical cover, marshalling and safety products have all contributed to a safer environment for our TT riders. Indeed, the TT now boasts some of the best medical cover of any sporting event in the world. As ever, work is on-going and all the parties involved will strive to make TT racing as safe as possible.
The Fastest Response Time Anywhere in the World
The TT has two helicopters that are present for all practices and races. Stationed at Keppel Gate and Alpine Cottage, they ensure even cover of the whole TT course. Indeed, with an average time of just 6 minutes, the TT has the fastest helicopter response system anywhere in the world. Each aircraft carries an experienced senior doctor and paramedic with advanced life support equipment.
In turn, the two ambulances from the Hogg Motorsport Association, which meet the helicopters at the hospitals helipads, are new purpose built, state-of-the-art, emergency ambulances provided by the Rob Vine Fund. The Hogg Ambulances are designed to carry two stretchers, as there could well be two casualties on the aircraft, especially if it’s a sidecar incident.
The proximity of the new Nobles Hospital and its easy access means the TT Course has the largest medical centre of any race circuit in the world.
World Class Medical Cover Around the Course
There will be up to 15 Doctors and 20 Paramedics out on the TT course together with 30 Emergency Medical Technicians or First Aiders from the Hogg Motorsport Association, St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross, utilising 6 ambulances and 2 rescue helicopter ambulances.
100 marshalling locations have an orthopaedic scoop stretcher and an Immediate Care Case containing the very latest medical equipment for basic and advanced life support.
The medical and rescue services for the TT Course events are arranged by Isle of Man Motorsport Medical Services which is run by its Medical Director, Dr. David B Stevens, MBE.
Marshalling - Quantity and Quality Continues to Rise
The TT Marshals Association continues to do a magnificent job. The number of marshals gaining qualifications rises year on year and their management of incidents is now second to none. A further increase in funding for marshalling brings their budget up to £110,000, and this has been well spent with the quantity and quality of marshals rising year on year.
2006 saw 15 IMC training courses which resulted in 400 new marshals receiving qualifications. A further 20 courses, of which ten are in the UK, have been arranged for 2007 which will see an additional 600 marshals train towards the Incident Management for Motorcycling qualification.
Thanks to these Incident Management Courses, the TT Course marshals are extremely adept at initially managing a casualty. Assisted by their allocated medic and a Travelling Marshal, the time an injured rider spends on the ground is minimal.
Major Investment in Safety Fencing Continues
After the initial £40,000 investment in the latest Recticel Safeguard Barriers and Pole Protectors in 2006, the Isle of Man government has committed to spending a further £100,000 on safety products in time for TT 2007.
Rider Standard Increases
Incorporating a strategy of developing and supporting up-and-coming riders and increasing qualification criteria, race standards have improved dramatically with TT 2006 seeing the fastest and closest TT ever with all solo competitors qualifying for racing. An important factor in this has been the elimination of slower riders baulking the progress of their faster competitors.