The Motor Sports Association has written to all MSA Stewards to assist them in the implementation of the existing regulations when insufficient levels of officials or marshals are available at events.

Following signing-on, the Stewards of the Meeting (chaired by the MSA Steward) should review the number of event officials including marshals, in relation to the MSA General Regulations and the venue track licence if applicable.

If manning levels are considered to be insufficient to run the event safely, notice will be given to the organising club to prevent the event from running if the manning situation cannot be resolved. The MSA Steward will advise the MSA of the decision of the Stewards and suspend the permit if manning levels cannot be improved to their satisfaction.

"An MSA Steward is the MSA's designated representative at a permitted event," explains Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of the Motor Sports Association. "The existing regulations are clear that the Event Stewards are empowered to make these decisions, but these guidelines are intended to remind Stewards of their duties and responsibilities and to assure them of the MSA's support in dealing with a potentially difficult situation.

"The declining number of volunteer officials has been a serious issue for some time. The new Volunteers in Motorsport initiative has made excellent progress, attracting more than 300 active marshals in its first year, but the levels of cover on some events is still a very real concern, especially for the Stewards who have to make that judgement call. What we are saying to them is that, should they feel it necessary to withdraw an event permit due to inadequate level of officials cover, the MSA will back them 100%.

"The MSA would like to encourage clubs to consult the event fixture list on the MSA website when planning events to avoid, as far as possible, potential clashes with other meetings in the area over the same weekend."