MARSHALLS at this year's TT will be provided with Blackberry phones and an exclusive text service thanks to a new sponsorship deal with Sure.

 
Sure has announced it will be the official sponsor of the Manx Motorsport Marshals' Association (MMSMA) following support for the marshals last year.

 
Rose Dahlan, marketing and PR manager at Sure, said: "Sure's involvement in motorsport and the TT comes from our focus on promoting activities that benefit the Island.

 
"The marshals are instrumental in ensuring races go ahead with some events being in danger of cancellation if there aren't enough. We think it is essential to help out organisations like this as motorsport is a big part of the Isle of Man and we are delighted to be able to help ensure that it continues to be."

The MMSMA provides and trains marshals for motorsport events in the Island including rallies, kart racing, circuit training and sprints.

Mandy Millward, the chairman of MMSMA, said: "We are pleased to have Sure's support this year.

 
"There are a number of motorsport events planned in 2011 and we are appealing for more marshals for each of them. On average there are about 40 incidents per event that require a race to be stopped and restarted. 

 
"Sure has initiated a new text service which gives marshals up-to-date information from around the course. This service along with the Blackberrys' provided will help to equip marshals with the tools to deal with incidents quickly and efficiently to ensure a smoother racing event. We look forward to a successful racing year."

For more information on MMSMA or to volunteer as a marshal visit www.mmsma.net. For more information on Sure click here.