Without going into it at the moment, but I can tell you that an Idea to help out the Marshalls could be getting looked into as we speak so to say.

My proposals would be as follows.

1. I would like to see an extra day during race week for practice if needed say the Tuesday.

2. Active Marshalls would have their cards stamped every time they turn out and if they did the whole meeting would receive 10 signatures. The signed card could then be transfered for a tax rebate ie 10 days tax free on thier earnings from thier normal employment and this could be done on a sliding scale, it may not amount to much but its a help. Some will say what about the marshalls that are retired from work, they could receive a small increase on thier state benifits. The way for this to work is for the IOM Government departments to work together similar to whats done between the DTL and Tax department over homestay payments which is tax free and the insurance is covered by the DTL ( we all have to work together why should homestay be treated any different to the marshalls, they are both needed for the success of the races).

3. Off island marshalls. They too would have to get their cards signed for all turn outs and the cards transfered for a travel rebate from the DTL with the help of the IOMSP. Marshall 10 practice/races receive 50% rebate on travel per marshall (again on a sliding scale). This too could work as the IOMSP need the races as well as the DTL.

4. During the event all marshall,scrutineers ect would be invited to the Villa (DTL owned) for a special night, say a show and buffet, any extra space at this event tickets could be sold on.

For this to work all departments have to work together and get in right if not we could or should I say we will lose what we had.

Working on say 500 marshalls the costs would be something in the region of £25000-00 (based on average rebates of £50 per person) and say another £20000-00 for the marshalls night at the Villa, Total costs £45k which works out at 50p per head of population of the IOM who inturn receive a lot more from new money into the Island.

As to the problem of extra insurance as said in another thread if marshalls are paid, this is a non starter as they are not being paid as such, they are receiving their own moneys back.

Not much to ask for against what we get.

Some good ideas there. I certainly think a lot more needs to be done to attract visiting marshals for the full two weeks of the TT and the Manx. So, I'd suggest that visiting marshals get a FULL travel rebate if they cover all practice and race sessions.

The problem with the TT at the moment is that too many people are treating it simply as a stag weekend. Why is this a problem? It blocks beds for people wanting to do the fortnight (and maybe marshal?) and forces prices up as hoteliers, traders etc have to make in three days what they used to make in two weeks. The only beneficiary of this demographic is the Steam Packet.

The DoTL don't appear to have a handle on this and seem happy to let it be. If there are more visiting marshals then this will take the strain off the locals and maybe allow for morning practice to come back and the re-instatement of the extended thursday afternoon session. This would in turn give the opportunity for a greater variety of classes to be run, which I think most of us would like to see.

This whole concept of getting more people over for the fortnight at the MGP, which is in greater need of visiting marshals, needs to be adressed now. With the popularity of the TT being what it is there's a golden opportunity to filter this through to the Manx.

There was very little publicity for the Manx at last year's TT. If I was the MMCC I'd be advertising it like mad on Radio TT. With the Irish scene appearing to be so vibrant AND attracting visitors from this side of the wet bit the potential is there to really get the MGP going.

The Manx GP needs marshals, the TT needs the Manx GP. It's all linked...

I think it would fair to say that in years gone by the Island has probably managed to enroll volunteers to marshall from within the manx community without perhaps having to rely on the likes of myself who have to travel to the Island.
As many people have already said in conversation over the last few years, when you were a youngster on the Island the TT and the Manx Grand Prix were something you looked forward to all year round and to be part of it was many youngsters ambition/dream. Now i see the sons/daughters of the colleagues i marshall and socialise with are not as interested as their parents were as there is more to attract their interests.
So i feel now that maybe the running of the two events is becoming more reliant from marshalls and enthusiasts from off the Island. I would dearly like to marshall both TT and MGP as i have done for many years now, but my son is now 13 and is as keen as i ever was and cannot wait until he is 16 so he can sign on. This has created a situation where having to fund 2 visits per year and keep his mum happy! has forced me to choose between the two this year because we can no longer afford to travel to both events any longer.
I am not saying for one minute i expect or want financial assistance, just stating an obvious fact that there in lies a problem.

FC Wrote:I would like to see an extra day during race week for practice if needed say the Tuesday.

The so called locals (come-overs) would never agree to it, having their lives disrupted even further by more road closures.
Personally, if the competitors can't get it right and feel comfortable to ride the TT couse to their riding standard, with 2 sessions a day (morning and evening) during the 5 days of practice week, then they should not be out there racing.
Possibly they could increase the practice periods by half an hour, so to get in an extra lap per session if needed.

Rocket Man Wrote:

FC Wrote:I would like to see an extra day during race week for practice if needed say the Tuesday.

The so called locals (come-overs) would never agree to it, having their lives disrupted even further by more road closures.
Personally, if the competitors can't get it right and feel comfortable to ride the TT couse to their riding standard, with 2 sessions a day (morning and evening) during the 5 days of practice week, then they should not be out there racing.
Possibly they could increase the practice periods by half an hour, so to get in an extra lap per session if needed.

Did I not say if needed. As to the Locals being disrupted Im 100% sure that they would not be against an extra practice during race week as the roads are MORE disrupted when no practice is on FACT

Just been having a chat with a local family that have marshalled at the TT & MGP for many years and they tell me that they have marshalled their last race here and nothing would attract them back, not even if paid, so thats another 4 experienced marshalls gone

I'd say FC's ideas have merit, and I like the one about a travel rebate for mainland marshals who do the fortnight. I've long said the current "pie and a pint" arrangement is pretty feeble when you consider the cost in time and money these guys give up to marshal our beloved races. And as much as you need to make the regulars feel a bit more loved and less financially stressed, you need to attract new blood to replace the ones who retire or are put off by the current crop of witch-hunts.

Please, let's not forget the Manx GP in this too.