I think the offers of help are great. Unfortunately I don't believe they will help with the situation we are all talking about. The sort of organisation required for an event like the TT needs a full year to get everything together. The person needed for the saftey part needs to be here full time to deal with communication with all parties and attend meetings. I don't believe this can be done by e-mail or by the odd phone call. There is no subsitute for meeting people face to face when something as important as safety is involved. I am sure that Shaun with all of his good intentions will not be able to make every meeting or sub meeting that needs to take place the whole year round. But what I am sure of is that there would be no harm in them asking for his input into the process, as I believe riders like Shaun have a major role to play in the future of the TT. A quick shuftie, for the need of a better word, round the course a few weeks before doesn't really help. It produces panic and causes major rushing round to fix things which then also produces pressure and mistakes, which is what we are all trying to avoid. They need to be fixed or planned well in advance. This is why I do actually think if someone is chosen they have to be an island resident with the qualifications to do this, and there are many who have. Why Shaun is so against this I don't know.

I totally agree with what Helen has pointed out, an experienced qualified person who knows all about the area of risk assessment is what is required. Even if it is a consultation position it can only help. The problem for this year especially is the short time period from now until the first practice session. But something has to happen, and I am worried about rushing things and further mistakes being made.

Just one point, alot of the medics that attend the TT are paid. Just as the cover of the Doctors at Jurby are paid, the ones for the TT and other major events are also paid for attending the races and practices. It might not be alot, but I think this is also a cost that is increasing year on year. Maybe one of the orgainsers can confirm the actual amounts? It might even only be for insurance purposes but payments are made. Don't know if the volunteers from Hogg get it but I am sure there is a large donation, and so there should be.

This is all a sideline to the real fact that change needs to be made and there is not alot of time to implement it.

I am sorry Shaun if I sound a little negative about your offer of help but I am sure you can see where I am coming from. I really do believe that riders like yourself have so so much to offer organisers of not only the TT but other events like the Manx GP.