Volunteers from The Hogg Motorsport Association have returned home after two days of intensive rescue training in Lancaster.

Seven crew members from The Hogg Motorsport Association, part of the Rob Vine Fund, attended the training weekend run by Emergency Mobile Medical Unit (EMMU).

This involved demonstrations of the latest extrication techniques for rally cars, giving the crews practice in using their Holmatro hydraulic cutting tools and how to safely remove people from vehicles.

Some of the crew also performed their three-yearly assessments to remain Rescue licensed by Motorsport UK (MSUK), the regulatory body for four-wheeled motorsport in the UK.

Rob Vine Fund secretary and director Dr David Stevens MBE said: ’Although we have been able to undertake medical, fire and rescue training on the island throughout the pandemic, we haven’t had the opportunity to travel to Lancaster for EMMU’s training since 2019, so it was exciting for our volunteers to get back to it.

’This training is applicable to Isle of Man rallies as well as the various stock car events that we cover, so it’s really beneficial for our crew to attend.’

He thanked the Steam Packet for offering discounted travel for the two vehicles and seven volunteers for the weekend.

Dr Stevens continued: ’It’s been a tough couple of years for our charity with the cancellation of so many motorsport events. We estimate the Rob Vine Fund has lost in the region of £150,000, not only in lost event fees but also fundraisers and collections such as the huge contribution from the TT fortnight collections on board the Steam Packet Company vessels.

’We are hopeful it is now onwards and upwards for the Hogg Motorsport Association and Rob Vine Fund and are feeling positive for the future.’

The fund also gave a donation to the EMMU, which had hosted around 80 people from across the UK.