The Isle of Man TT Marshals Association has announced that following this year’s Manx Grand Prix they now have over 3,500 people registered on the marshal database, of which a third have attended the one day incident management course. There was actually one more marshal registered for the TT2008 races than there was for the Centenary!

Bill Carden, Chairman of the IOMTTMA felt that the real spirit of the marshals was shown in the way they responded to the challenge of the extra race day for the Manx Grand Prix. Bill commented:

“We were really up against it with the postponed Senior Race at the Manx Grand Prix 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 1545 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 2007/08 season, the IOMTTMA put over 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 Manx Grand Prix. For more details contact training@iomttma.com or the TTMA Office 01624 618191 or the TTMA web http://www.iomttma.com

Martyn Quayle, MHK, Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Isle of Man Government commented:

“Marshals are the lifeblood of motorcycling on the Isle of Man and the TT and Manx Grand Prix 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.”