First practice day at the North West 200

Sorted with my digital mobile radio gear and packed lunch, I collected Uel Glendinning in Portrush. We were both on RAYNET (Radio Amateur emergency Network) duty at Juniper Hill chicane on the NW 200 motor cycle road racing circuit. This was the first practice day for the racing on Thursday and Saturday. For a change it was warm and sunny all day.

I was stationed at the chicane exit to do communications for the two ambulances and first aid personnel. Unfortunately, unlike in earlier years, the ambulance crews on this occasion were obviously not really interested in being there. They refused to deploy first aiders to the nearby post 24 manned by Uel or to move anyone to the post position on the outside of the course specified in the instructions. From talking to them it appeared that they saw their role as simply transfer by ambulance of casualties that had been attended by somebody else.

One rider fell off and ended up on the outside of the circuit. Luckily he appeared to be unhurt but there was no opportunity for first aiders to check him as racing was continuing and to get to him would have involved crossing the circuit. Had the first aiders been where they were supposed to be, he could have been attended to immediately.

More practice and some racing to look forward to on Thursday.

New Blog

Flying my Raven M in Spain

Just setting up a new blog. Today's weather report for the usual paragliding site is windy with patchy rain, so decision made to stay at home. 

Late afternoon looked promising but too late for the 50 mile drive to the hill to get in a flight before dark. At this time of year the wing gets wet with dew if you pack up late in the evening. Maybe better luck next time, although weather for the week ahead looks bad.