A final signing-on session this evening Thursday for marshals for this weekend’s PokerStars Rally is ‘critical’ according to the event organisers.

Numbers signed on so far are well below expectation, with only two of the seven stages that make up the two-day event described as ‘even close to being manned’.

Tonight’s session runs at the Conference Centre at the TT Grandstand from 5pm to 8pm alongside scrutineering and documentation for the crews. Deputy clerk of the course and chief marshal mark Ellison is urging anyone who can help to come forward.

Ellison says that they need at least another 30 marshals for Friday night’s stages across the west of the island just to meet the minimum levels, with Saturday’s tests in the north of the island currently similarly short.

Ellison said: ‘If people are interested, and want the rally to run, please come and join us

No previous experience is necessary, and newcomers will be placed with experienced marshals.’

The other key aspects of the officiating side of the event are suitably resourced, timekeeping and radio communication crews.