The way we operate our race days with our Stewards changed from 1st April 2004.
Without over-simplifying it, the raceday officials now operate in two groups....the Clerk of the Course with Assistant Clerks and the Stewards.
The Clerk of the Course will be located at the start/finish line.That person will be responsible for dealing with any information, problems, racing incidents etc.They may receive a report from an Assistant and will deal with that report.This may require you and your driver to report to the Clerk of the Course...he/she will generally be your first point of contact...and he/she may take a course of action regarding your driver.
You may wish to raise an issue regarding the meeting or a racing incident.The Clerk of the Course will again be your first point of contact.You will get your driver and licence and you will go out and see the Clerk of the Course.Generally,all approaches relating to the event and racing need to be directed through the Clerk of the Course and things will follow from there.Generally,drivers must not approach the Assistant Clerks of the Course...remember it is usually best to always go through the Clerk of the Course.
The Clerk of the Course may deal and resolve the issue trackside.Or they may refer the matter to the Stewards which may then result in a Stewards' Hearing.Generally the Clerk of the Course will be the only person who deals with the Stewards in the first instance.Things will follow from there and you may be required to attend a Stewards' Hearing.
We ask that you only approach the Clerk of the Course by going along the top bank and out through the gate by the Race Tower.Wait until the current race finishes and then make your approach to him.You need your driver and licence.Do not rush up to him during your race and from over on the track.Go in and come back out as before.No approaches are to be made to the Clerk of the Course through the infield...you must leave the circuit and come in through the Tower gate.
Also a note here;the Race Tower is out of bounds.If you have query for the Tower,raise it through the Clerk of the Course.
If we can simplify it for you,the Clerk of the Course and Assistants are the people on the inside of the track operating the race day and dealing with incidents and they are your first point of contact on all matters.The Stewards are the people outside of the track dealing with issues,protests and matters referred to them by the Clerk of the Course.
The full Code is included in the 2006 Licence Book commencing on page 42. Please read it and try and understand it. The Judicial Code includes significant roles and powers of officials and procedures for the issue of penalties.It would be useful to look at these so you know your rights when dealing with Officials.They are here to help you but sometimes they too can get it wrong...by knowing their roles and powers will generally assist you as a karter.
If you need a seminar on the judicial code, just ask us and we will provide one for you.
You are also invited to approach the race officials before and after and outside of racing...they are there to help you as karters.Just remember though, these wonderful people are club members and karters who are doing it for us; without them we cannot race.They are friends of the club and are only applying the rules as required by KartSport and by law....motor racing is dangerous and these people have to operate the rules to enable us to race.Funnily enough,they do not set the rules.If you have a view on the world of karting,please direct that information at the club committee.
Don't forget the Mt Wellington Kart Club will not tolerate any abuse of our Officials. If that did happen, we will guarantee you a holiday from karting with an additional requirement that you attend at least three race days as an Official so you too can learn what it is like to be out in the middle with screaming karts and screaming competitors....yuv' had ya warning...this is it !!
Anyway team,do your best to learn the rules.And don't forget it is only a sport and the most important thing is we operate as a Club including looking out for our wonderful officials. And most of all.... don't forget to have FUN !! That's why we are here.
Some other points of interest include:
- Black Flags will only be displayed by the Clerk of the Course, or under his/her direction.
- Only the Clerk of the Course needs to be in position on the track for racing to proceed.They are the person in control of on-track activity.
- A KartSport New Zealand Race Steward can be either the Clerk of the Course or a Steward at an event, not both. However Race Stewards may swap positions from event to event.
- Unpermitted events will require a KartSport New Zealand approved Clerk of the Course and at least one KartSport New Zealand Steward who will be the Chief Steward and Chairman of the Stewards' panel. The Chief Steward will appoint the two Assistant Stewards for the event (comprising of senior officials, administrators and/or karters of long standing who are not competing at the event concerned).
- All Race Stewards will be able to alternate from event to event between being the Clerk of the Course or a Steward.New recruits may also wish to do only one of these roles and we invite trainees...ask your club if you would like to learn one or both of these roles.
The Duties of all officials are listed under Section D2 of the 2006 Licence Book, pages 42 to 48 inclusive.
Should you have any queries regarding the judicial code please do not hesitate to contact a committee member or any KartSport Steward.
