Volunteers from The Hogg Motorsport Association have returned home after two days of intensive rescue training in Lancaster, with travel support from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.

Seven crew members from The Hogg Motorsport Association, part of the Rob Vine Fund, attended the training weekend run by Emergency Mobile Medical Unit (EMMU). This involved demonstrations of the latest extrication techniques for rally cars, giving the crews practice in using their Holmatro hydraulic cutting tools and how to safely remove people from vehicles. Some of the crew also performed their three-yearly assessments to remain Rescue licensed by Motorsport UK (MSUK), the regulatory body for four-wheeled motorsport in the UK.

Dr David Stevens MBE, Secretary and Director of the Rob Vine Fund, said:

‘Although we have been able to undertake medical, fire and rescue training on the Island throughout the pandemic, we haven’t had the opportunity to travel to Lancaster for EMMU’s training since 2019, so it was exciting for our volunteers to get back to it. This training is applicable to Isle of Man rallies as well as the various stock car events that we cover, so it’s really beneficial for our crew to attend.

‘As the training comes under the remit of the Rob Vine Fund’s aims as a motorsport charity, we gave a donation to EMMU to help cover the substantial costs involved in holding the event for around 80 attendees from all over the UK. The travel support received from the Steam Packet Company is very helpful in offsetting those costs and we are very grateful.

‘It’s been a tough couple of years for our charity with the cancellation of so many motorsport events. We estimate the Rob Vine Fund has lost in the region of £150,000, not only in lost event fees but also fundraisers and collections such as the huge contribution from the TT fortnight collections on board the Steam Packet Company vessels. We are hopeful it is now onwards and upwards for the Hogg Motorsport Association and Rob Vine Fund and are feeling positive for the future.’

The Steam Packet Company offered discounted travel for the two vehicles and seven volunteers for the training weekend in Lancaster.

Brian Thomson, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Managing Director, said:

‘We have a fantastic partnership with The Hogg Motorsport Association which goes back many years, and hold huge respect for the work they do in the Isle of Man. We’re pleased to offer our support and assist with travel to this important rescue training, and hope things are on the up for the charity after a difficult couple of years.’