Description of Sectors Compiled from the Chief Sector Marshals' own reports (Current as of February 2015) There are other sites that describe the TT/MGP course for their followers but this description is based around Marshalling the course. The TT/MGP course is 37¾ miles long and for the purposes of Marshalling, is divided into 12 sectors. Each sector is managed by a Chief Sector Marshal (CSM) and a number of Deputy Sector Marshals (DSM). Each DSM controls a section of the sector, usually a significant corner or a group of marshalling positions within a given area. The total number of marshals needed to be in the correct positions around the course before a race or a practice can start is just over 500. Each sector has a "Minimum manning level" that is calculated to provide minimal cover at the various spots around the course. SECTOR ONE Sector One starts at the return road at the Grandstand, goes down the famous Bray Hill (170 mph plus), heading towards Ago’s Leap and along Quarterbridge Road to the Quarterbridge pub. This is the first right hand bend on the course now heading to Braddan Bridge and your first left hand corner. There are a series of very fast bends at Braddan. From here you head out towards Union Mills, a very fast right and left bend here, and out towards Ballahutchin. Sector One ends at Trollaby Lane. In Sector One we have three Church Halls selling food, a garage and three burger units and toilets. There are some fantastic marshalling points and I look forward to meeting you. Alan Blaney, CSM SECTOR TWO Sector 2 begins at the exit of Union Mills and travels along the A1 Douglas to Peel road ending at Greeba Castle. Our sector is easily reached by bus or by car and can be accessed at the Crosby crossroads from both inside and outside the course. It is 5 miles from Douglas. Our sector includes two of the most dangerous corners of the course: Ballagarey and Greeba Castle, meaning there is no shortfall of excitement! We have a full range of experienced marshals who are keen to show "Newbies" how it's done in a safe and controlled manner. We have public toilets at the Crosby crossroads for those close calls and the Crosby Public House offers toilets, refreshments and excellent meals. Howard Ellison, CSM SECTOR THREE Sector Three – the Happy Sector. Where else can you get marshalling points with marshals who bring home made cake, access to Tynwald Mills shops and cafes during lunch breaks, the confidence of working with experienced marshals of all ages and views of some of the most beautiful but most hair raising parts of the TT Circuit. Sector Three extends from Appledene through the bends of Greeba, Knock Breck and Ballagarraghyn to Ballacraine where riders sometimes forget they have to turn right. The Sector then goes uphill to Ballaspur – Richard “Milky” Quayle’s favourite part of the circuit - then under the trees to Ballig and on to Doran’s Bends where the riders are safely delivered into the hands of Sector Four. Sector Three contains corners, straights, very comfortable hedges and some damn fine sheep. Dave Dentith, CSM SECTOR 4 Leaving Sector 3 at Dorans Exit the first flag point in Sector 4 is Beary Bridge which immediately leads into the sharp tight Laurel Bank 1 and Laurel Bank 2 sections. There are Portaloos provided at both sections with good car parking but there is very limited spectator access and viewing at both points. After passing the 9th milestone flag point on the right, Glen Mooar Garage which has the radio call sign “Black Dub” is met. At this point is a red flag parking up area, the car park apron is a restricted area which means that no spectators are permitted within it. Again there is a Portaloo provided for marshals at this point. Good car parking. After the sharp left/right bends at the dub, we pass the Vaaish flag point which immediately precedes the helicopter site at the sheep fields on the right hand side. Good car parking and again equipped with a Portaloo, the sheep fields are a popular spectator vantage point with easy access to and from Glen Helen via a footpath running alongside the course. This footpath also connects Glen Helen 1 and Glen Helen 2 (Bridge) flag points which in turn leads into Glen Helen car park. At this position is the first Radio Commentary point on the course and as such it is a busy and popular spectator area. There are excellent facilities on offer here including public toilets. As a marshalling point it is the second of three red flag parking up areas within the sector. As the competitors exit the sharp uphill left hander out of Glen Helen, at the top of Creg Willeys Hill, is probably the trickiest series of bends the riders confront on Sector 4. Sarah’s Cottage is a place which demands good judgment from the riders. There is good car parking and a Portaloo for marshals. However there are very few spectators. As we pass the intermediate flag points at the “Pallet” and the “Saltbin” (humorously known as “the Sin Bin”) we come to the Lambfell section with its three flag points; which in turn leads onto the very fast Cronk-y-Voddy straight where speeds of up to 180 mph are achieved. This is a very popular area for spectators to enjoy the racing and all marshals need to display an extra degree of vigilance at this point. The Cronk-y-Voddy straight is no place for anyone to attempt a “Usain Bolt” across the course. The Sector ends at Cronk-y-Voddy Crossroads, which is also the third of the red flag parking up points. Sector 4 has a total of 21 flag points within its 2.5 miles length; many of its sub sections have sharp complex bends and corners which ensure that riders and marshals alike are kept interested! Each section has its own Deputy Sector Marshal and manning level, (52 is the minimum required to marshal the sector) and each point has its own particular attraction. Sector 4 is always looking for people to recruit into it's ranks, and a warm welcome is always extended to “Newbies” and to marshals who perhaps would like a change of scene. For more information, please contact the CSM Colin Watterson through the TTMA office. Colin Watterson, CSM SECTOR FIVE Like many other Sectors, Sector 5 is divided into smaller sections, with each section being under the direction of a Deputy Sector Marshal. We have 5 such sections known as 'Burnside', '11th Milestone', 'Handleys', 'Top of Barregarrow' and 'Bottom of Barregarrow'. The minimum manning for the sector is 35 and there are 20 positions throughout the sector that need to be manned before the races or practices can commence. Many places are one-man positions but we try to place two people at these locations if we are lucky enough to have sufficient Marshals on duty. Almost all positions are within easy reach of the section base allowing return at lunchtime or other delays to the racing. It a largely rural area meaning most, if not all, Marshals have to travel to reach the sector as none live locally. Section 1 is known as BURNSIDE. Sector 5's first marshalling position is Voddy Flag at the end of the Cronk-y-Voddy straight. It is a one-man point and the marshal at this point also alerts the rest of the sector as the bikes approach, rising out of Glen Helen as they appear at the end of the straight. It may look a long way away but it only takes them 7 seconds to reach us! No time to run across the road here! This position is located in a private garden but this is only separated from the spectators in the field by a garden wall. As such, there is no catering facility although there is a wagon in the field next to the house, but it usually isn't necessary as the house owners are very generous with their tea, coffee and even known to provide beef sandwiches! The position is easily reached from the Section control point.... Burnside This is the control point for this section with one DSM (currently Nick) and 2 other Marshals. Plenty of parking on the owners land and although there is no catering, the house owners are generous with their tea and the DSM provides tea-making facilities. The final point within the first section is known as the Stockade. This is halfway along the straight and is now a two-man position. This position is surrounded by spectators who are allowed on the banks either side of the marshalling position. There is no catering at this location and parking is either at the 11th milestone or at Burnside and between races, it is possible to return to base at Burnside. Section 2 is known as 'the 11th'. The 11th Flag is a one-man point within easy walking distance and parking of the control point. It is a one-man position stood on a scaffold platform. No catering here but between races, it is usual to return to base at the 11th milestone. The base point for this section is the 11th Milestone. One DSM and 4 marshals are the minimum. Plenty of parking in the field but no public catering. There is a toilet here and the DSM and his family provide plenty of tea and biscuits! T hey even had their own Chief Tea Boy although now grown up (a lot!), he probably no longer appreciates the title! The 11th Milestone also supplies a marshal for the next position, a one man (or usually, woman) point called Ballig Flag.