MSA issues guidelines to Stewards
The Motor Sports Association has written to all MSA Stewards
to assist them in the implementation of the existing regulations
when insufficient levels of officials or marshals are available
at events.
Following signing-on, the Stewards of the Meeting (chaired
by the MSA Steward) should review the number of event officials
including marshals, in relation to the MSA General Regulations
and the venue track licence if applicable.
If manning levels are considered to be insufficient to run
the event safely, notice will be given to the organising club
to prevent the event from running if the manning situation
cannot be resolved. The MSA Steward will advise the MSA of
the decision of the Stewards and suspend the permit if manning
levels cannot be improved to their satisfaction.
"An MSA Steward is the MSA's designated representative
at a permitted event," explains Colin Hilton, Chief Executive
of the Motor Sports Association. "The existing regulations
are clear that the Event Stewards are empowered to make these
decisions, but these guidelines are intended to remind Stewards
of their duties and responsibilities and to assure them of
the MSA's support in dealing with a potentially difficult
situation.
"The declining number of volunteer officials has been
a serious issue for some time. The new Volunteers in Motorsport
initiative has made excellent progress, attracting more than
300 active marshals in its first year, but the levels of cover
on some events is still a very real concern, especially for
the Stewards who have to make that judgement call. What we
are saying to them is that, should they feel it necessary
to withdraw an event permit due to inadequate level of officials
cover, the MSA will back them 100%.
"The MSA would like to encourage clubs to consult the
event fixture list on the MSA website when planning events
to avoid, as far as possible, potential clashes with other
meetings in the area over the same weekend."
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