Clerk of the Course

A Clerk of the Course is the main official who oversees and controls all aspects of a motorsport event, ensuring races run safely and according to the rules.

Think of the Clerk of the Course as the event's chief supervisor - they're the person ultimately responsible for making sure everything goes smoothly on race day. While drivers focus on racing and mechanics work on cars, the Clerk of the Course watches over the entire event from race control, which is like a command center overlooking the track.

One of their most important jobs is acting as a judge when things go wrong. If a driver breaks a rule, causes an accident, or behaves unsportingly, the Clerk of the Course can hand out penalties like time additions, grid position drops for the next race, or even disqualification. They're essentially the first person to make these judicial decisions at a race event.

The Clerk of the Course also manages the practical side of running a race. They control the event schedule, decide when practice sessions and races start, and communicate with all the other officials around the track. If there's an accident, they coordinate the response. If weather conditions become dangerous, they decide whether to delay or stop the race.

Safety is a huge part of their role. They work closely with marshals (the volunteers who stand around the track) and other safety officials to ensure the track is safe for racing. If there's debris on the track or a car breaks down in a dangerous position, the Clerk of the Course decides what action to take.

To become a Clerk of the Course, people typically start in other motorsport roles and work their way up through training programs. They might begin as assistant clerks or deputy clerks, gaining experience at smaller events before taking charge of major races.