We were speculating last night on what would convince those who haven't quite got there yet, to become marshals.
So... what would help?
Here's what you get....


That's for starters, so what else would help....?

In the meantime...PLEASE SIGN UP NOW..... you'll love it, and you'll be part of something very special and unique... without YOU, the racing cannot happen

The Manx Grand Prix is one of the oldest road racing events on the annual calendar, having first been
run in 1923 as the MARRC, becoming the Manx Grand Prix in 1930.
From small, enthusiastic beginnings the ‘Manx’ as it is affectionately known to all involved with the
races, be they riders, mechanics, officials, enthusiasts, or marshals, has grown into a prestigious road
race meeting, which is the main objective and pinnacle of the racing season for competitors wishing to
take part, be it for the first time or for the ‘umpteenth’ time.
Not only riders make the ‘Manx’ an annual pilgrimage to pit their skills against the world famous
Snaefell Mountain Course, many enthusiasts also inherit the bug that brings people from all walks of
life to the Isle of Man for the Manx Grand Prix Fortnight.
Whilst Officials and countless volunteers work all year round behind the scenes to ensure the future
success of the Manx Grand Prix – one of the most important areas of the event not only being able to
go ahead and to be run safely is the recruitment of Marshals – for without sufficient numbers at each
practice session and race day, all the preparations come to nothing.
Riders and their helpers have spent all year preparing themselves and the machines for the rigours of
the 37.73-mile lap; those behind the scenes have toiled away ensuring all the necessary paperwork
has been completed, the course prepared and all aspects of the event are in place and ready to go, but
there is a shortage of Marshals, so everything that has been planned and put into action is in vain!
Whether you are a first time visitor to the Manx Grand Prix this year, or one on the thousands of fans
who make the annual pilgrimage to Mona’s Isle, please volunteer to be a Marshal.
You will not be on your own; in fact you will become a member of a prestigious club. You are issued
with an armband, which you can keep as a memento of the experience, and you gain the knowledge
that you might make the difference between a session going ahead and being called off - just imagine if
there were not enough marshals to run the event safely!
If you have watched a race, in full, from one location you could have been a marshal at that position.
Don’t just watch the Manx Grand Prix, be part of it!
Please consider joining the TT Marshals Association.
The website, http://www.iomttma.com has all the information you need to become part of the
action.

For people unsure if they would qualify to be a marshal maybe you could give an idea of how many are needed at each location and what would be expected of them. For instance, there are probably some folk out there who are not too quick on their feet, some people have crook backs and could not lift but may be excellent at controlling a situation, etc. whether it be minor or major. Would folk like these be able to play a part. This is just a long shot and I apologise if you have already posted the criteria needed.

Well I posted this at 845am today, which means only 1 wk, 6 days, 21 hours and 45 minutes til I arrive in the MGP paddock, although as there seems to be a big marshal shortage, I'm beginning to wonder why? Seems odd that there will be around 8-10,000 spectators turn up yet less than 500 prepared to marshal? I'd have thought with all the restricted areas around the course these days, being a marshal would have been the best spectating option?

Also I strongly believe that a way to encourage marshals over would be to refund , IN FULL , the ferry cost. A card could be issued to each marshal, it then has to be stamped at a marshaling point, before and after each practice session and race, to ensure people have stayed and helped and not just gone off trying to get free travel fare. A refund of car or bike + minimum 2 Marshals to qualify. Remember whilst this will cost money it could be joint paid for by the IOMDTL and IOMSPC and MMCC and RIDERS. Afterall the first 3 all MAKE MONEY from the running of the MGP, and the RIDERS get the PRiVELIDGE of racing on the TT COURSE!! Current formula if left as it is will equal this:
NO MARSHALS = NO RACING= NO MGP= NO PROFIT for any of the afore mentioned, plus local businesses that rely heavily on an already depleted tourism industry on a little island in the irish sea with very little to offer holiday makers.
Russ