In order to allow racing on the Mountain Course the roads have to be closed to the public. Once closed, the roads can be set up to make the suitable for racing. Since most of the locations around the course are only accessible by going on the course, this means that Marshals and Medics generally have to be in position before the roads close. We suggest you allow plenty of time to get to your location before the roads close since traffic can be heavy. There are some locations that can be accessed when the roads are closed, but these are in the minority.

The roads in the mountain section of the course (from Ramsey to Creg-ny-Baa) close earlier than the rest of the course. During TT the mountain section is one way from Ramsey to Creg-ny-Baa and there are cones and signage to control the traffic when the road is open. Before racing can start all of these need to be removed. Hence the earlier closing over the mountain. As a result, if you are stationed on the mountain and you want to get to your location on open roads you will have to get there quite a bit earlier. During TT you would also have to do so via Ramsey. There is no one way system in operation during the Manx Grand Prix, but if you do go up the mountain from the Creg-ny-Baa end whilst the roads are still open we would recommend extreme caution as many of the other users appear to assume that it is one way!

The other alternative to get to your post on the mountain is to wait at either Creg-ny-Baa or Ramsey (depending upon where exactly you are stationed on the mountain), and then to join one of the two Marshals’ convoys that leave approximately 15mins after the road has closed. The convoy from Ramsey and the one from Creg-ny-Baa both end at the Bungalow (from opposite directions).

Once racing has finished the mountain section will stay closed for approximately 30mins longer than the rest of the course to allow replacement of the cones and signage. The Marshal’s convoys, however, will leave whilst the road is still closed so you can join that when it passes your location in order to get off the mountain without undue delay. The general public have to remain on the mountain until the road is opened!

The timing for the road closing operation on the mountain does vary a bit, but generally, on race days, the road from Ramsey to Bungalow closes 1hr 15mins before the main road closure, with the section from Bungalow to Creg-ny-Baa closing 15mins after that (i.e. 1hr before the main road closure). For practice sessions the equivalent times are generally 45mins before general road closure from Ramsey to Bungalow, and 30mins before general road closure from Bungalow to Creg-ny-Baa.

We will post the actual road closure times on the News section of the site once they are published. There can be delays to road closure, often due to weather, but sometimes due to incidents on the course whilst the road is still open. During an event the latest road closure news will be broadcast on Manx Radio TT. We will also try to keep you updated via our group text system.

Do I need to bring any equipment with me?

All of the equipment that you need will be provided for you. At your location you will find an orange Immediate Care Case.

The cases are provided for us by The Rob Vine Fund. There are NO drugs in the cases. At your location there will also be a scoop stretcher for transporting any casualties. In addition to the supplies at each location, the 2 medical helicopters are both fully equipped for resuscitation including a wide range of drugs that may be required in pre-hospital care.

Of course, if you have a favourite stethoscope feel free to bring it with you!

Do I need to bring any drugs with me?

It goes without saying that we are talking about medical drugs for use in treating a casualty! As mentioned above, and in line with MSA guidance, there are no drugs in the Immediate Care Cases, and if you are travelling from the UK we generally advise that people do not bring controlled drugs with them.

If you are dealing with a casualty that requires analgesia, you can rest assured that a Medical Crew will be on their way to you, and they carry a full range of drugs used in Pre-hospital Care.

What should I wear when on duty?

You should appreciate that once you are at your location, and the roads have closed, you will not be able to leave until they open again.You should take warm and waterproof clothing with you. The Isle of Man has not built it’s reputation as the Road Racing Capital of the World because of it’s weather!

You may well end up carrying a casualty over rough terrain so appropriate footwear is essential. You will be provided with a yellow tabard identifying you as a Doctor or Paramedic, and this should be worn on top of your clothes at all times when on duty on the course.

Is there anything I should or shouldn’t take with me?

Although the evening practice sessions are not too long, the race days can last up  to twelve hours so you should be prepared. Take food and drink and anything else you feel you might need such as a book!

It is really helpful if you take a mobile phone with you to allow us to contact you should we need to. It will  also allow  us to keep you updated via our group text system in the event of delays etc. When you are on duty on the course, it is not appropriate for you to be trying  to  get that close up picture of John McGuiness that you always wanted, so your new Nikon will need to stay at home!

Before you get to your post, you should make sure that you leave plenty of time get there and locate your post. For the vast majority of locations, you will not be able to get there once the roads have closed. When you arrive you will need to find a safe place to park. There are usually designated parking areas for the marshals and medics. The marshals at your post will be able to advise you.

The team of marshals at your location will be organized and run by the Deputy Sector Marshal (DSM). You should find that person and introduce yourself to him or her. Once at your location you should also inform Medical Control in the control tower that you have arrived. You can do this by texting 07624 365531 or by phoning 01624 644607. The Medical Control is manned from approximately 30mins before roads close for practices and 1hr before roads close for race days and will stay manned until the roads open again. If you haven’t got a phone with you, or if you are unable to get a mobile phone signal, you can ask the DSM to radio in to Control on his or her tetra radio to let us know that you have arrived.

Within each team of marshals there will be one marshal whose job it is to look after the casualty, and to assist you in doing the same. You should find that person and check with them that you both know what each of you is going to do in the event of an incident. It isn’t a good idea to run two or three hundred yards down the road to attend a casualty only to find that neither of you remembered to take the Immediate Care Case!

Before racing starts it is a good idea to check the equipment at your location. There will be an orange Immediate Care Case, a scoop stretcher and a red vinyl head support. The contents of the Immediate Care Cases are checked regularly to make sure that they are fit for purpose. The case will be sealed with a yellow plastic tag which snaps off if you need to get into the case. Feel free to look in the case to familiarise yourself with the contents, but if you do please re-seal the case with a new yellow tag. There are spare tags inside the case for this purpose.

After that you should sit back, relax, and enjoy the racing!

Each of the marshals at your location has a specific role that will have been assigned to him or her by the Deputy Sector Marshal (DSM). These roles include clearing the bike and any debris from the track, displaying the appropriate flags and manning the tetra radio handset. Your role is to look after the casualty. In the event of an incident, the marshal manning the tetra radio will press the red emergency button on the top of the handset. This will alert control to the fact that there has been an incident, and to the location.

When that happens a Travelling Marshal (TM) will be dispatched to attend the incident. The Travelling Marshals are not medically trained but do have first aid training. They are also very experienced in the overall management of incidents. One of the Medical Helicopters (Airmed) will also have been put on standby so that they are ready to respond if needed.

One (or more) of the marshals will be waving a yellow flag to alert oncoming riders in order to make it safe for the other marshals, and you, to attend to the incident. It is VITAL that you don’t go onto the course until it is safe to do so. Be alert at all times to the fact that there will probably still be other bikes on the course. LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP!

If the rider has regained his or her feet, it will be necessary to get him or her to a safe spot where you can assess the situation. If the rider hasn’t regained his or her feet, and is in a dangerous position (in the middle of the road for instance), it will be necessary for you and the marshals to move him or her to a safe location so that you can carry out your assessment.

If there are no injuries, or only minor ones, and you feel it is safe for the rider to remain where he or she is, you should ask the marshal with the radio to inform control in order that Airmed can be stood down. If this is the case, it is important to keep a close eye on the rider for 10 or 15mins, as situations can change, especially when the initial surge of Adrenaline is wearing off. If this happens, and you are unhappy with the rider’s condition, you should contact control on 644607 in order that we can evacuate the casualty.

If the injuries are more serious, or if you are unsure, the casualty will need to be evacuated. You should ask the marshals to contact control and request Airmed. Generally, the response time for the helicopter is in the region of 5 minutes. During that time you will be looking after the casualty and taking appropriate steps such as protecting the airway if necessary, protecting the cervical spine etc. With the help of the marshals and TM, you will also load the casualty onto the scoop stretcher, secure him or her with the straps provided, and start making arrangements to move him or her to the designated helicopter landing site for your location.

Depending upon the nature of the incident and the severity of any injuries, you may not have completed all of these steps before the helicopter arrives. Don’t worry HELP IS ON IT’S WAY!

When the helicopter arrives you should report your findings to the Aircrew and follow their instructions. They will provide a replacement scoop stretcher, Immediate Care Case (if required) and red head support. The red vinyl head supports are intended for use with a casualty that is wearing racing leathers with a ‘hump’ on the back. It goes under the head and allows the neck to stay in a neutral position thus helping to protect the cervical spine. If you are dealing with a casualty who is wearing leathers without a ‘hump’, and you suspect a cervical spine injury, you should not use the red head support as to do so would cause flexion of the cervical spine.

Once the casualty has been evacuated you should check that you have the necessary equipment. Sometimes, in the middle of managing a hectic incident, it is possible to overlook the replacement of equipment. If you let Medical Control know, that can be sorted out. It is also helpful to contact Medical Control once the dust has settled in order to update us about details of the incident.

Finally, sit back, relax, have a cup of tea and enjoy the racing!