What do new and experienced circuit marshals aged 16 and over need to know under Motorsport South Africa rules? Licences, grades and training, flag signals, incidents, post staffing and equipment, clothing and photos.
To get started, contact MSA at msa@motorsport.co.za.
GCR 171 sets the circuit marshal grades:
| Grade | Role | How you get there |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Novice / trainee / junior | Attend an MSA-approved basic induction course (track discipline, safety, clothing, basic flag and fire training) |
| 1 | Course marshal | After induction, 3 Regional or National race meetings, a passed written exam and approval from the Post Chief and Chief Training Officers. Under-18s stay junior until 18 |
| 2 | Flag, fire, incident marshal | At least 8 meetings, corporate days or practices at Grade 1, plus 4 practice/corporate days and one practical fire course and one flag course |
| 3 | Flag, fire and incident marshal | At least 8 races and 4 practice/corporate days at Grade 2, and 3 more training courses passed |
| 4 | Senior flag, fire and incident marshal | At least 8 races at Grade 3 and an MSA-approved senior marshal course |
| 5 | Deputy Post Chief | At least 6 meetings at Grade 4, a senior course and exam in all three disciplines, and a senior radio procedure course |
| 6 | Post Chief | Appointed by the Chief Marshal and Training Officers |
| 7 to 10 | Deputy Chief Flag/Fire/Incident, Training Officer, Deputy Chief Marshal, Chief Marshal | Appointed. Chief and Deputy Chief Marshals generally need 10 years' experience, 5 as Post Chief, and a passed GCR exam |
At every step the Post Chief and Training Officers must also judge you competent.
MSA Appendix H (2026). Flags have the same meaning in practice and racing.
| Flag | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green (waved) | Sector clear; end of a yellow zone; start of a warm-up lap or practice. At the start/finish line: safety car period over |
| Yellow | Danger; slow down, no overtaking until the green |
| Yellow with red stripes | Slippery surface |
| White | Slow or service vehicle in the sector |
| Blue | Competitor about to be overtaken |
| Red (waved) | Session or race stopped. Shown motionless to close the circuit |
| Black + number | Stop at the pits at the end of the lap and report to the Clerk of the Course |
| Black/white diagonal + number | Warning for unsportsmanlike behaviour |
| Black with orange disc + number | Vehicle has a dangerous defect; stop at the pits at the end of the lap |
| Chequered | Finish |
The red flag is waved on the Clerk of the Course's direction. The black and black/white flags are shown by a race official as directed by the Clerk of the Course. Flags carrying a number are shown with a number board (white numbers on black, at least 200 mm high).
MSA Appendix H (2026):
Flags must be at least 60 cm by 80 cm. All posts must be in radio or telephone contact with the preceding post so the no-passing procedure works.
From MSA Appendix H (2026):
Blue flag. Show it:
It is not needed on the first lap while the field is still bunched, when two or more drivers are racing wheel to wheel over several laps, or when a driver clearly knows they are about to be passed. Use it with discretion; in the wet with poor visibility it is often the best warning.
White flag. A service vehicle (ambulance, etc.) or a slow competing car. Wave it while the vehicle is in your sector, then hold it still until the vehicle reaches the end of the next sector. If the vehicle stops on track, replace the white flag with yellow immediately.
Yellow with red stripes. Loss of grip from oil, water or similar. With a hand pointed at the sky it warns of a local rain shower. Show it for 2 laps or until the surface is back to normal.
A portable fire extinguisher can be shown to a competitor whose vehicle appears to be on fire.
Under GCR 170, road observers and flag marshals must report any incident or accident in their section to the Clerk of the Course by the fastest means available as soon as it happens. Every incident reported this way must be followed by a written report to the Clerk of the Course.
Under GCR 171, no marshal may remove any vehicle part from a circuit. All parts left behind after an incident must be taken to Race Control, where the competitor can collect them.
If a stranded vehicle cannot be fully moved behind the barriers but it is reasonably safe to race on, the event's Supplementary Regulations may allow the yellow flags to be replaced by a Hazard Board, which lets competitors race on at their own risk in that sector (Appendix H).
Staffing (GCR 171):
Flag points need: a verbal link to Race Control, a full set of Appendix H flags and at least one 9 kg dry powder fire extinguisher.
Marshal points need: enough fire extinguishers; brooms, rakes and shovels; cement or other absorbent for oil spills with containers; a verbal link to Race Control; and 2 m straps for moving a motorcycle.
Post positions are set by the circuit safety inspector with the circuit's Chief Marshal and marked on the circuit licence plan. Each post must be in radio or telephone contact with the preceding post (Appendix H).
Clothing (GCR 171):
MSA's Guide to Volunteering suggests bringing, for all weather:
No. MSA's Guide to Volunteering says officials are not permitted to carry or use cameras while on duty, whether a camera or a mobile phone, and you should check with your senior officials first. Not following this can get you removed from the event and stopped from volunteering at future events. Only photographers accredited with MSA may take photos, from pre-allocated safe areas.