I have posted this on iomtt.com as well it is worth repeating here.

I'm not sure if the guy concerned will appreciate what I am about to say but TTel has confirmed that the second Chief Sector marshal who has quit is Alan Hope.

I must have known Alan better than anyone from 'across',he was my brother-in-law. But this has nothing to do with past relationships.

'Hopey' was in charge from the Grandstand to Trolloby Lane which is the far side of Union Mills up the hill past the garage and I think his loss as a marshal, for his experience and dedication is absolutely tragic. Alan had been marshalling for over thirty years, TT; Manx Grand Prix and for many years he also turned out for the Manx rallies as well.

He had worked his way up from marshal at Union Mills bridge(I used to be with him there)then Deputy sector marshal from the Railway Hotel to Trolloby Lane. then he moved to Quarter Bridge where he has been for many years as Deputy Sector and finally Chief Sector Marshal.

'Hopey' had a tough year in 2005; particularly the Manx with three fatalities in his Sector. Two on the track and the tragic RTA on Peel Road when a visitor died and his bike came under the rope.

Nothing to do with the racing but that didn't stop the ACU gobsh*tes including this accident in the TT/MGP fatality statistics. Plus a massive accident on Quarter Bridge Road in the Senior newcomers, where he was actully stationed on the day and the Travelling marshal's crash at St. Ninians. There was also the ontroversial Undercover marshal issue at the Bottom of Bray Hill, (which also involved me)but again an incident in his sector.

Alan Hope's loss is immeasurable and the reason he has called it a day " because of the criticisms of marshalling in the Isle of Man, by the press and others.

A sad, sad, day.