An early plea is being made to TT marshals to volunteer using the online signing on procedure and to be flexible, if necessary, in terms of location.

New marshals’ association chairman Robert Crane has said the on-line sign up system should be running in the next couple of weeks and saves the organisation valuable money and time if forms do not need to be posted.

It also gives an early idea of manning levels.

Mr Crane also said they were making a special effort this year to address the problem of uneven distribution of marshals, wherein some locations have more than enough while other areas struggle to meet minimum requirements.

‘This is especially true on the mountain section of the course and in the rural sectors four and five where there are no large communities nearby to give support,’ he said.

‘With this in mind, please consider making 2016 the year to explore some of the other locations around the course. You may be surprised by how good some of them are.’

Organisers are hoping a new computerised monitoring system which is being developed this year should help. This should provide an up-to-date display both on the TT Marshals’ web site and in the marshals’ office showing current manning levels at the different points around the TT course on a day-to-day basis.

TT clerk of the course Gary Thompson has also made a special call for volunteers to marshal at the start and end of events.

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