TT scoreboard to be fenced in for 2015

Circuit-style catch fencing will be erected in front of the Isle of Man TT’s iconic scoreboard ahead of this year’s event, after a risk assessment carried out by TT Clerk of Course Gary Thompson.

Manned by the Island’s Boy Scouts, the scoreboard has been a point of contention in recent years, as speeds past it’s Glencrutchery Road location has raised towards the 200mph mark.

Speaking to IOMToday.com, Thompson said that it was this danger that prompted the installation of the fence.

“The nature of racing on the TT Mountain Course changes every year with machine modifications and improvements, faster speeds and other variable factors such as weather conditions and road surfaces and as a result we carry out a comprehensive risk assessment every year prior to the event to comply with our insurance requirements and mitigate where possible against any race incidents.

“The position of people, notably the Scouts, working on the scoreboard has been identified as an area of risk and as a race organisation we have a duty of care to ensure that this area is properly protected, particularly where minors are involved. The risk assessment identified the need for a barrier to protect Scouts not only in the event of a collision but also in case of debris in the event of an accident. The existing protection is simply no longer viable.”

The fencing, by Swiss company Geobrugg, will be installed in the weeks prior to the start of racing. A tensile mesh construction that will still allow fans to see the scoreboard from the Grandstand, the firm have recently installed similar systems at Sepang, Yas Marina and the Circuit of the Americas.