Clerk of the Course

The Clerk of the Course is the senior official responsible for managing and controlling all aspects of a motorsport event, from ensuring safety to enforcing regulations and coordinating race operations.

Think of the Clerk of the Course as the event manager and chief safety officer combined into one role. While the Race Director (in major series like Formula 1) has ultimate authority over the competition itself, the Clerk of the Course handles the practical, day-to-day running of the event. They're essentially the person making sure everything runs smoothly and safely from start to finish.

One of the most important responsibilities is safety. The Clerk of the Course oversees the safety and welfare of everyone at the track—drivers, team members, marshals, and spectators. They coordinate with track marshals (the officials stationed around the circuit), ensure rescue vehicles are properly positioned, and monitor track conditions constantly. If weather makes the track dangerous or an accident requires immediate attention, they have the authority to deploy the safety car or even stop the race entirely.

This official also acts as the first level of enforcement in motorsport. If a driver breaks the rules—perhaps by jumping the start, ignoring flag signals, or driving dangerously—the Clerk of the Course can issue penalties. They work closely with the Stewards (a panel that handles more serious rule violations and protests) to ensure the event follows all regulations.

Before the race even begins, the Clerk of the Course has extensive duties. They verify that all officials are at their assigned positions with proper equipment and information. They check that competing vehicles have correct identification numbers and markings. They ensure only eligible drivers participate and that each car is driven by the person who actually entered the event. They also organize vehicles into the correct starting order based on qualifying results or event regulations.

The role requires strong leadership and coordination skills. The Clerk of the Course must quickly build and manage a team of officials who may only work together for a single event. They maintain constant communication between race control, trackside marshals, medical teams, and other officials to respond immediately to any situation.

In major racing series, you'll find experienced professionals in this role. For example, David Mori served as Clerk of the Course for the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, bringing years of experience from various racing categories. To hold this position, an official must be at least 18 years old and typically has extensive experience working in motorsport in other capacities first.

The term "Clerk of the Course" is also used in horse racing, though the responsibilities differ significantly. In that context, the official focuses on track conditions and course preparation rather than race control and competitor management. In motorsport, however, this role remains one of the most critical positions at any racing event, combining operational management, safety oversight, and regulatory enforcement into a single, demanding job.