Individuals working as RACB Track Marshals operate exclusively on the track at closed circuits during national and international motorsport events recognized by the FIA. The workspace of track marshals includes the track itself, as well as its immediate surroundings and service access points. Track marshals do not intervene in public areas or in the pit lane.
Track marshals are responsible for signaling to drivers as well as to the race director, intervening in the event of an accident, and ensuring the track is in proper condition for the competition. The office is tasked with managing the relationship between track marshals, the event organizer, and other stakeholders involved in the running of the event.
Track marshals are deployed across the circuit at designated posts.
Each post covers a specific zone where the assigned team of track marshals operates during an event. To avoid excessive monotony, marshals are, where possible, assigned to a different post at each event. However, a team will always consist of the same track marshals to foster efficient working practices.
Signaling to drivers is done using flags of different colors, which may be replaced by lights of the same color during night events. Communication between the post chief and race control is maintained via radio and telephone.
During interventions, track marshals use equipment such as fire extinguishers, straps, brooms, and absorbent materials. If necessary, the post chief may request assistance from 4x4 intervention vehicles or medical units.
The office appoints a lead marshal for each event. The lead marshal attends pre-event briefings, convenes the teams of track marshals through their respective post chiefs, and decides on the allocation of teams to the various posts. During the event, they remain available to assist track marshals with any queries and support the post chief if a marshal is injured.
The office acts as the representative of the marshals to RACB Sport and event organizers throughout the year and is composed of former track marshals.
From day one, the trainee track marshal is integrated into a team. They will be trained by the experienced members of that team for a year.
Throughout their career, the track marshal will reinforce their training through hands-on experience at the trackside and during RACB Sport-organized courses on fire safety, first aid, and other relevant topics. They will use this experience to mentor newcomers to the team.
Each day of an event begins with a briefing attended by the post chiefs. During this briefing, the race director—or their designated representatives—will outline the specific regulations for the event and highlight the key points they want marshals to focus on.
Of course, the safety of track marshals is the top priority that everyone must remain vigilant about throughout the day.
This section provides track marshals with a brief overview of the main arrangements made for their benefit.
The RACB provides a fixed allowance per post occupied, regardless of the number of marshals present at each post (max. 9). The allowance and the maximum number of marshals per post increase if the event day exceeds a standard duration (max. 12) and for 24-hour races (max. 18).
Foreign marshals may, upon registration, request to be assigned to the same post as a RACB Track Marshals team. The RACB Track Marshals will make every effort to accommodate this preference, but if necessary, a foreign marshal may be assigned to a different post and/or team than requested, with no possibility of refusal.
Marshals must commit to not engaging in any voluntary activity if they receive unemployment benefits or early retirement benefits, unless they have previously obtained special authorization from the ONEM. The authorization request must be made by completing a C45B form.
If necessary to cover all posts during an event, team compositions may be adjusted.
The regular attendance of trainee marshals will be verified at each event.
To encourage trainee marshals to participate in as many events of varying levels as possible, a coefficient system is used. Each event day is assigned a coefficient, as indicated in the RACB Track Marshals calendar.
To qualify for a C-license, the trainee marshal must have participated in enough event days to accumulate at least 20% of the maximum possible total coefficient they would have earned had they attended all events in the year.
Once the above condition is met, the trainee must attend the annual presentation organized by the RACB Track Marshals and pass an examination on the same day to receive their license.
A marshal wishing to obtain a B or A-level license must take a theoretical examination at the beginning of the year and then participate in enough event days to accumulate at least 20% of the maximum possible total coefficient they would have earned had they attended all events in the year.
During this training year, practical evaluations may be conducted at any time by the RACB Track Marshals office.