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Warrington TT 2014 connections photos


Geoffrey Settle

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I've just returned from the Isle of Man from my 7th consecutive stint as a TT marshal a becuase of the weather we worked every day. I did a write up but it hasn't been used by anyone so I thought I would share it on here and ask if anyone else from Warrington went to the TT this year. BTW I was still able to work hard on my council work with the wonders of modern technology :) I can't seem to upload any photos at the moment - I've got them on Photo Bucket but when I try and upload them on here the screen freezes :(

 

Just managed on another pc - I'm on the far left no pun intended with the radio. More photos in the posts below.

 

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It reads:--- https://www.facebook.com/#!/geoff.settle/media_set?set=a.10204015108879080.1073741851.1264246400&type=3 not sure if this Fabebook link will work but let me know.

 

TT ambassadors and visitors from Warrington

Councillor Geoff Settle returned from the Isle of Man last week 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 marshal 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 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. As a biker he passed on his enthusiasm for the sport to his wife the Penketh Watercolour artist Sue Cartwright. She specialises in capturing famous TT riders in her favourite medium and when Geoff Kelly saw her work at a solo Latchford exhibition in May he asked if she would paint one of John McGuiness. Sue said “Geoff Kelly has got permission off John McGuinness to let me paint a special photograph of him riding in the TT. It’s going to be a nervous challenge but a fantastic opportunity that I will relish.”

This year’s charity fund raiser is billed as 'Stars of TT racing past and present” and amongst the guest speakers will be 21 times TT winner John McGuiness. He recorded his latest victory by setting a new outright lap of record in an average time of 117.4 mph on an electric race bike and was clocked at 164.9 mph as he passed the speed trap at Sulby.    

 

The Parr Hall event will be hosted by Jamie Whitham, Eurosport commentator and begin at 7pm on Friday December 5th, bookings are now being taken. At the event there will also be a display of exotic race machines and an Auction/Raffle to raise extra funds for the FoTTRA. Geoff’s ambition is to beat last year’s record attendance of 500 as well as improving on the total money raised for the fund of £14,000. Anyone wishing to donate items for the auction or raffle should call Geoff Kelly on 07712 842792.

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Nothing like a bit of self-adoration Geoff...... do you write all your own press releases? :)

 

Well nobody else is going to Baz - I did send this out as I thought it might make an interesting story but it got ditched on the cutting room floor so rather than waste the effort the I put in I've posted it here for you guys to read.

 

Geoff Kelly does a tremendous amount of work for the rider's association and I'm sure that he is helped by his brother Pete and now with the addition of Sue Cartwright and her painting I can't wait for the event at the Parr Hall.

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Well nobody else is going to Baz

Isn't that why the press have reporters Geoff ?  Maybe by doing it yourself they felt like you were doing one of theirs out of a job or that you didn't trust them enough to get the facts right and published in a way that would meet 'Archies' approval :lol:

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Isn't that why the press have reporters Geoff ?  Maybe by doing it yourself they felt like you were doing one of theirs out of a job or that you didn't trust them enough to get the facts right and published in a way that would meet 'Archies' approval :lol:

These days Dizzy they have fewer and fewer reports as advertisers can't afford to place as many adverts due to lack of cash - newspapers are under threat from the on-line papers and the on-line from the bloggers etc. The junior reporters still receive copy from their sources which they edit ready for the chief editor to approve or however it works.

 

Once I submit a piece it's out of my hands and often gets published out of context so I have to leave it in their hands and hope that what gets published isn't too far from my original - if it is then it's tough because once in print it's deemed as fact and can't be changed.

 

So yes there is an elements of trust which is a two way thing and trust is something that builds up over time. :mrgreen:

 

I often ask Archie what he thinks about certain publications and he always has a cutting remark or to be only if it is deserved :P . I must admit I haven't emailed him any links for at least a year but he is always there to advise me.

 

Here are some photos at last

 

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Geoff - I know of many people from Warrington who go over tyo the TT Races which are not a Warrington event - while what you have done is personally great and to be applauded our resources are focused on covering all the fantastic things going on in Warrington - including quite a few you have been involved in and been reportred on this very website.

I hope nothing has been mis reported and if so should be pointed out.

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My elder brother Sam races motor bikes and had a horrific crash over in the states on Saturday. He was airlifted to a major trauma center in Virginia with head injuries and multiple broken bones caused when the large drag bike he was riding flipped and landed on top of him. He's still pretty poorly and in an induced coma but making good progress and fingers crossed should make a full recovery.

 

Give me four wheels any day!

 

Bill :)

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... great photo's by the way Geoff although it doesn't seem quite right saying that after hearing about Bill's brother.

My dads next door neighbour used to marshall at the TT's and always used to go every year.  Not sure if he still does though

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I bought a Corsair from the Isle of Man from a guy called Geoff Crennel... he lives right near the start/finish lines for the TT and does a bit of helping out; or at least he used to, he's getting on a bit now!

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My elder brother Sam races motor bikes and had a horrific crash over in the states on Saturday. He was airlifted to a major trauma center in Virginia with head injuries and multiple broken bones caused when the large drag bike he was riding flipped and landed on top of him. He's still pretty poorly and in an induced coma but making good progress and fingers crossed should make a full recovery.

 

Give me four wheels any day!

 

Bill :)

Best wishes for your brother making a full recovery Bill.

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I echo algy sentiments - guys like Sam love their sport and know the risks that they are taking but having said that when things go wrong it not only hits them hard but more importantly their family and loved ones. The charity TT Riders Association that Geoff Kelly raises money for is for when things do go wrong.

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Geoff - I know of many people from Warrington who go over tyo the TT Races which are not a Warrington event - while what you have done is personally great and to be applauded our resources are focused on covering all the fantastic things going on in Warrington - including quite a few you have been involved in and been reportred on this very website.

I hope nothing has been mis reported and if so should be pointed out.

No problem Gary I just didn't want to waste the work I had put in preparing the copy 8) and wanted some guidlines for any future articles.

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Thanks everyone. The latest news this morning is good in that he's now conscious and out of the ICU, He's still very poorly and full of breathing and drain tubes but he has been able to speak a little and most importantly, knows what's happened. Fortunately Sam is well known in the racing community in the states and has many friends that have all rallied round to provide help and support. They have set up an emergency fund to help and everyone seems keen to help their fellow riders.

 

Sam lives and breathes bikes and has done since his teenage years and during this time he's held several world records. It was only last month he set the world record for the fastest electric motorcycle (again over in the states) which isn't bad at the age of 67  8)

 

Maybe after this he'll consider hanging up the leathers and become a spectator.

 

I'll relay eveyones best wishes here to him when he recovers a little more.

 

Bill :)

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Thanks everyone. The latest news this morning is good in that he's now conscious and out of the ICU, He's still very poorly and full of breathing and drain tubes but he has been able to speak a little and most importantly, knows what's happened. Fortunately Sam is well known in the racing community in the states and has many friends that have all rallied round to provide help and support. They have set up an emergency fund to help and everyone seems keen to help their fellow riders.

 

Sam lives and breathes bikes and has done since his teenage years and during this time he's held several world records. It was only last month he set the world record for the fastest electric motorcycle (again over in the states) which isn't bad at the age of 67  8)

 

Maybe after this he'll consider hanging up the leathers and become a spectator.

 

I'll relay eveyones best wishes here to him when he recovers a little more.

 

Bill :)

Is he from Warrington originally Bill ?

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Like me hes always lived here, its just that he does a lot of his racing in the states. 

He lives at Hollins Green these days so I'm not sure if that's classed as Warrington even though its only just up the road.

I'm quite sure that he's also a friend of our local historian James.

 

Bill :)

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Good to hear that your brother is making some progress on the road to his recovery Bill and that he has so much support.  Once he's back up on his feet maybe Gary can do a news story and take pics as you grab your brother by tightly by the 'short and curly' bits and tell him NO MORE DAMN RACING !! :wink:   

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I love motorcycle racing and to me the TT is the most exciting of all the spectator sports to watch, to see those riders corner inches away from garden and building walls is breathtaking  and so much more skilful than MotoGP, however the common sense side of me (what bit I have left) tells me that the event should now cease as each year some young rider either loses their life or are seriously injured, but it wont as it brings a massive amount of revenue to the island each year.

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I just cant watch it at all Algy. 

My other does though (on tv or internet) as he loves bikes but even he's saying it scares the daylights out of him these days too especially when you see what it is like 'first hand' from the helmet cams.

 

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Here you are dizzy - Dunlop in action :lol:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWZG1nhgwgg

 

Here is a lap of the course. If you watch it I mashal on sctor 12 which is after from around  the 16.08 minute mark i.e. Creg Ny Baa pub onwards down to the finish - blink and you will miss me I'm the one in the orange tabbard  :)

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