Boost for TT and MGP marshals
Thursday 27 November 2008
TT
More than 3,500 people have registered to be marshals ahead of the 2009 Isle of Man TT.
The Isle of Man TT Marshals Association announced the figure at the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show in Birmingham, and revealed one third of volunteers have already attended the one-day incident management course.
The association confirmed there was actually one more marshal registered at the 2008 TT than there had been a year earlier, when the event marked its Centenary!
IOMTTMA Chairman Bill Carden said the true spirit of the marshals was demonstrated during this year’s Manx Grand Prix, when they responded to the challenge of an extra day’s racing.
He added:
‘We were really up against it with the postponed Senior Race at the MGP and the appeal that we put out saw an incredible response. We actually signed up 300 people in a single day to cover the Saturday requirement.’
‘At the final count we had 1,545 marshals registered for the Manx and the Course Inspection car driver reported that he had never seen so much orange around the course before!’
During 2007 and ‘08, the IOMTTMA put more than 500 people through Incident Management Courses. The 2009 calendar of courses has already been announced and the first 100 people have already gone through the training in Liverpool and the Isle of Man.
The one-day courses (two per weekend), run from 9am to 5pm and provide general race procedure instruction, flag signals and practical TETRA radio instruction. The course also covers general first aid instruction including how to remove a crash helmet, applying a neck brace, how to log roll a casualty onto a scoop stretcher and how to load a casualty onto an AIRMED helicopter.
The courses are free to anyone who has marshalled, or intends to marshal, at the TT or MGP.
Isle of Man Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle said:
‘Marshals are the lifeblood of motorcycling on the Isle of Man and the TT and MGP couldn’t take place without the marshals.’
‘This year they have rallied superbly in difficult conditions and everyone who follows the races owes them a debt of gratitude.’
For more details contact training@iomttma.com, the TTMA Office 01624 618191 or visit the IOMTTMA website.