Statutes and Syllabus

Syllabus

The RACB Track Marshals Statutes below are supplemented by the Syllabus to form a single governing charter. This syllabus is distributed free of charge to all trainee marshals (whether candidates for C, B, or A licences) but also serves as a reference for all marshals.

Statutes

October 2025 Edition – Replaces all previous editions.

These statutes are supplemented by the official RACB Track Marshals Syllabus. As of 1 March 2015, the CNCR was renamed RACB Track Marshals. All documents issued prior to this date by the CNCR remain valid and are recognised by RACB Track Marshals. The RACB Track Marshals is an operational commission of the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium Sport (RACB Sport). Disclaimer: Holders of A, B, C, K, S, SM, and KS licences issued by RACB Track Marshals are covered by an accident insurance policy, which only applies during official circuit-based events. This insurance covers bodily injury only. For details on coverage, exclusions, and deductibles, reference must be made to the official policy documents, which shall prevail. This insurance does not apply to events not listed on the RACB Track Marshals official calendar.

Art. 1. The Track Marshal (hereinafter referred to as the "Marshal") is an Official within the context of the event in which they serve. They are required to exercise discretion regarding any matter related to the race in which they are involved.

Art. 2. A Marshal is appointed by RACB Track Marshals.

RACB Track Marshals, through the Chief Coordinator, invites Marshals to officiate at circuit-based motorsport events and karting races listed on the RACB Track Marshals calendar. Invitations are extended to pre-formed teams or individual Marshals. For administrative efficiency, Marshals are grouped into teams, which they may join or leave freely based on mutual agreement. To facilitate digital team and Marshal management, RACB Track Marshals assigns a unique team number, which may be modified at the start of each year.

The RACB Track Marshals Board determines the number of Marshals required for the proper operation of monitoring posts. It has the authority to limit the number to six if the total number of Marshals present is insufficient to cover key circuit posts. The Board also has the authority to assign posts to Marshal teams. Where possible, it avoids assigning the same team to the same post multiple times during a season.

Art. 3. All RACB Track Marshals must hold a valid licence, issued annually by RACB Track Marshals. There are seven licence categories:

  1. SM (Junior Trainee Marshal)
  2. S (Trainee Marshal)
  3. C
  4. B
  5. A
  6. KS (Karting Trainee Marshal)
  7. K (Karting Marshal)

Within a Marshal team, the number of trainees (SM, S, KS) may not exceed one-quarter of the number of Marshals holding an A, B, or C licence.

At the start of each year, the RACB Track Marshals Board approves or rejects licence applications from SM, S (or KS), and C (or K) candidates, as well as licence renewals for Marshals holding an A, B, C, K, SM, S, or KS licence in the previous year.

Any Marshal holding a licence issued by another organisation (e.g., ASAF, VAS, FMB) who wishes to officiate at events listed on the RACB Track Marshals official calendar must first obtain a Trainee Marshal licence (S or KS) from RACB Track Marshals and commit to complying with RACB Sport’s directives and regulations.

To obtain an SM or S (or KS) licence, the candidate must:

  • Be accepted into an established team that will provide training.
  • Complete and sign the SM or S (or KS) licence application form in person.
  • Submit this form to an RACB Track Marshals delegate before taking up any duties.
  • If the trainee candidate is a minor aged 15 or older (SM), they must provide a legalised "MINOR AUTHORISATION FORM" issued by their local municipal authority.

To renew a K, C, B, or A licence, the Marshal must:

  • Acknowledge the Commission’s statutes.
  • Submit their renewal application to the RACB Track Marshals Secretariat within the deadlines set by the Board.

A Marshal holding an S (or KS) licence who wishes to obtain a C (or K) licence must: *Attend 20% of the official RACB Track Marshals calendar events, weighted by a coefficient:

  • For each event day, RACB Track Marshals assigns a coefficient that is inversely proportional to the event’s importance and decreases as the day approaches Sunday (in the standard weekly sequence). (See Article 5 for special provisions regarding minors.)
  • Acknowledge the Commission’s statutes and submit their C (or K) licence application to the RACB Track Marshals Secretariat within the deadlines set by the Board.
  • Attend a training course organised by RACB Track Marshals at the start of the year.
  • Pass an examination on the day of the course, scoring a minimum of 60% to obtain their C (or K) licence.

Art. 4. Licences A, B, C, K, S (or KS), and SM may be revoked immediately by RACB Sport or RACB Track Marshals in cases of serious misconduct, negligence, or incompetence. The following also result in licence revocation:

  • Officiating abroad without written authorisation from RACB Sport.
  • Failure to comply with Articles 7, 8, 9, or 10 of these statutes.

Art. 5. The minimum age to become a Trainee Marshal (S licence) is 18. The minimum age to become a Junior Trainee Marshal (SM licence) is 15. To qualify for a C licence, the candidate must have served as a Trainee Marshal (S licence) at 20% of the official RACB Track Marshals calendar events. They must wait until the calendar year following the issuance of their S licence before applying for a C licence.

(Example: A Marshal turns 16 on 25 June 2013 and obtains an SM licence for 2013. On turning 18 (25 June 2015), they obtain an S licence for 2015. Between 25 June 2015 and 31 December 2015, they attend 20% of the 2015 calendar events. They may apply for a C licence in 2016.)

The minimum age for a Deputy Post Chief (B licence) is 23.

The minimum age for a Post Chief (A licence) is 26. Five full years of holding a C licence are required before applying for a B licence. Three full years of holding a B licence are required before applying for an A licence. To progress from C to B or B to A, the candidate must:

  • Score 65% on the theoretical examination.
  • Attend 20% of the official RACB Track Marshals calendar events, weighted by the coefficient system (as described above).

Art. 6. The Post Chief may, under their responsibility, train new SM or S (or KS for karting) licence holders, within the limits set out in Article 3.

Art. 7. The Marshal must demonstrate impeccable integrity and irreproachable conduct.

Art. 8. The Marshal must exhibit enthusiastic and impartial sportsmanship, as well as a keen sense of responsibility in fulfilling their duties.

Art. 9. The Marshal must be in good health and free from any disability or impairment that could hinder their duties. They undertake not to perform their functions in the event of any issue, even temporary, particularly health-related (e.g., if unfit for work). RACB Track Marshals reserves the right to request a medical certificate from the Marshal at any time during the year. The Marshal must be fully capable at all times. They must wear appropriate attire. Marshals are prohibited from:

  • Reporting for duty or remaining at their post under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Smoking at the flag station or during an intervention.
  • Taking photographs during a race or practice session.

Trainee Marshals (SM, S, KS) have the same duties and rights as licensed Marshals (A, B, C, K), except that they may not officiate abroad. For Formula 1 events, a maximum of two trainees per team is permitted (subject to Board approval), but SM licence holders are excluded. K or KS licence holders may only officiate at karting events.

Art. 10. The Post Chief or Team Leader must respond affirmatively or negatively to the Chief Coordinator’s invitation within the specified deadlines. The Post Chief must:

  • Accurately complete attendance forecasts and reports, sign them, and submit them diligently.
  • Occupy their assigned post(s) with their team until the end of the practice or race day.
  • Assume full responsibility for the organisation of their designated zone.
  • Be accountable for their team and vouch for their conduct.
  • Oversee the training of SM, S (or KS) licence holders under their authority and assume responsibility for their actions in their capacity as Trainee Marshals.

Before the start of a race or practice session (and during, if a Marshal arrives late), the Post Chief must:

  • Verify that all Marshals at their post hold a valid A, B, C, S, SM (or K, KS for karting) licence, ensuring that any Marshal injured in an accident will be covered by RACB Sport’s insurance.
  • Ensure that all Marshals fully understand their roles.
  • Prohibit the presence of:
    • Minors without an SM licence.
    • Animals or unauthorised persons whose presence could be disruptive.
  • Ensure the proper maintenance of signalling and safety equipment entrusted to them.
  • Address journalists and photographers politely, but if they cause any disturbance at the post, the Post Chief must immediately notify Security, providing their identity or accreditation number.

Art. 11. The RACB Track Marshals Board is authorised to waive any provision of these statutes as it deems necessary.