If only we could take the credit for the weather we experienced at this years TT; it was a fantastic fortnight’s racing, alas the weather is something we had no control over. Similarly
there are other elements we have no real control over and that is the number of marshals who
report back for duty around the course.

So if you are heading this way for TT 2007 and would like to marshal we will be pleased
to meet you and help you join the team. We need a minimum number of marshals at all locations around the course before any practice or race can be started; not enough marshals at any one time then no races; it’s as simple as that.

The TTMA Ltd is always looking at ways of improving standards and making things safer; not easy considering the nature of road racing motorcycles. However over the years more out of season training has taken place, Incident Management Courses being high on the agenda. In the coming year there are planned something like 20 individual one day IMCs in the IoM and UK; these courses incorporate race procedure, marshalling duties and a first aid section.

Other areas of improvement are providing more flagmen around the course and giving the
appropriate training. Alongside this we regularly run TETRA radio training; TETRA radio being the main source of contact with race control and other marshals during races.

Since last year different rules have been introduced where novice marshals are concerned;
as a novice marshal you will initially be placed with more experienced people. You will have the choice of what duty you elect to do and you will not be asked to do anything you are not happy to do. Novice marshals are identified by a specific coloured warrant card; it is a way
of making them easier to recognise. To lose the novice tag they will need to marshal for a period of 10 sessions or if they have a current IMC certificate 7 sessions; all novice marshals will be given a record card that they will need to get signed at which ever location they marshal.

As before, all novice marshals will need to view the short DVD, An Introduction to
Marshalling; it gives an overview of what you may experience or become involved in as a
marshal. Once the novice has viewed the DVD they are encouraged to ask questions they may have about its content or any other marshalling related matters; the TTMA always tries to have people available for this.

Training is obviously essential before any of us undertake anything; it is however best
coupled with experience and the only way to get experience is to actually get involved. The best way to become an efficient professional marshal is to sign on, attend an IMC and get into the hedge somewhere around the course; it’s the best training ever.

If you are a returning marshal, welcome back. If you are a marshal who has not been here for a while, that’s ok as well and if you have never done it before, don’t worry we will not drop you in the deep end.

Whoever you are if you would like to help swell the numbers of marshals, please contact us.

Bill Carden IOMTTMA Ltd
Tel: 01624 852891 (answer/fax)

Email: info@iomttma.com Website: www.iomttma.com

Isle of Man TT Marshals Association Ltd
P/O Box 149, Douglas, Isle of Man IM99 3JA