The Essential Guide Magazine Stockton Heath and Appleton Aug - Sept 2014 | Page 12

Essential Feature

TT Ambassadors
and visitors from
Warrington
Councillor Geoff Settle returned from
the Isle of Man last month in time to
be sworn in as Deputy Mayor. He had
spent a fortnight as a member of the,
500 strong, Orange Army of volunteer
TT marshals. It was his 7th consecutive
year and each time he bumps into more
visitors from Warrington who are among
the 40,000 motorbike enthusiasts who
make the journey.
Cllr Settle said “One enthusiast Geoff
Kelly is a FoTTRA (Friends of TT Rider’s
Association) committee member and
event organiser for the charity. He
does a fantastic job aided by his
brother Peter in raising funds for
riders and their families, who face real
hardship as a consequence of injury or
other circumstances.
Few riders make money out of racing
and many spend their life’s savings on
their passion.
As a TT marshal Cllr Settle’s key role
is to help make the event as safe as
possible for riders and spectators alike
at Bedstead in sector 12 less than a mile
from the finish. He is an IMC qualified
marshall which means he has received
training in first aid and procedures to
get injured riders to Nobles Hospital
in Douglas as quickly as possible via
helicopter. The money that Geoff Kelly
raises often goes towards helping injured
rider’s after they leave hospital.
Cllr Settle said “The Tourist Trophy is the
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toughest road race in the world. It is in
effect a time trial, Bruce Anstey set a new
outright course record this year with an
average speed of 132.298 mph around
the 37 mile and a bit course, reaching
just over 190 mph at the Sulby Straight
speed trap. The slightest misjudgement
or mechanical failure can cause a big
problem very quickly
As TT marshals we have to act quickly and
safely in a controlled fashion to protect
ourselves and the riders. Fortunately the
incidents that I have been involved in
have been low key although last year I
was first to arrive at an incident on the
Mountain Road and I was pleased that
my training kicked in automatically. The
incident was not part of the race, just a
motorcycle enthusiast doing a lap of the
course who got carried away and crashed.
As we dealt with him we found out from
his brother that he was 65 years

of age and had a stent
fitted! He was certainly living life to the
full and was lucky to get away with a few
broken ribs and bruises.”
Another Warrington connection with the
TT is the Cartwright family. Bryn used
to work for the Michelin Tyre Company
and one of his jobs was to set up the
company’s banners around the course.

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