The May 2026 Clerks’ & Stewards’ Bulletin brings together important updates and reminders for officials and organisers across the sport. This edition includes guidance on conflicts of interest, extrication exercises, championship bulletin procedures, judicial process resources, and key reminders for karting and speed events – all helping to keep motorsport safe, fair and running smoothly for everyone involved.
Conflict of Interest
As noted in this year’s Seminars, all Officials are reminded of the importance of avoiding both actual and perceived conflicts of interest when officiating at Events.
Where an Official has a conflict of interest or where a perceived bias could reasonably exist, whether that be through a family member, a close friend or even a customer, it is common and expected practice for the Official concerned to step back from their role in relation to the specific championship, class or activity concerned. This may include, for example, stepping aside from scrutineering or clerking duties.
Motorsport can often be a “family affair”, and it is natural to build friendships within the community. While officials are encouraged to enjoy their involvement and engagement with competitors and teams, impartiality must always be maintained. This protects both the Official and the competitor by ensuring decisions are beyond reproach and eliminates any perception of bias.
Extrication Exercises
We strongly encourage organising clubs to schedule an extrication exercise within the event timetable to enable medical and rescue personnel to participate, as this activity helps improve teamwork in the event of an incident.
Championship Bulletins
Motorsport UK Stewards are advised that if they are presented a Championship Bulletin the weekend of an Event that this must be referred to Motorsport UK, as the Steward cannot authorise a Championship Bulletin.
Personnel and Equipment form – Long Circuit Karting
Where a Long Circuit Karting event takes place at Race venue, please ensure that the National Scrutineer present is also listed on the Personnel and Equipment form, to ensure Motorsport UK can check that the correct Officials were present at the event.
Results
A reminder please for all Speed Event Organisers that results must be available for competitors to view at Events. The use of online noticeboards etc is encouraged, however please be mindful of difficulties at certain venues with a lack of signal/data. Competitors should be able to view results at Events, whether it’s a notice board (electronic or printed), or simply being able to look at a screen in the competition office on request. This is an important part of the judicial process.
Sprint & Hill Climb – Balaclavas
Following several fires across a range of motorsport disciplines, which resulted in burns, the Sprint & Hill Climb Sub‑Committee reviewed all personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements during 2025. As a result of this review, a proposal was made to introduce a mandatory requirement for flame‑resistant balaclavas for competitors in Modified, Sports Libre, and Racing Cars.
This proposal was approved by the Board in June 2025, following consultation, and came into effect on 1 January 2026. However, it appears that many competitors remain unaware of this change, and organisers are therefore encouraged to help promote awareness of the requirement.
Exemptions remain in place for Standard Cars, Road Cars, and open bodywork Period Defined Vehicles.
For full details, please refer to Chapter 14, Appendix 2, Article 4.3.
Sprint & Hill Climb – PPE
From 1 January 2027, Ch.14, App.2, Art. 4.3 will require competitors in Modified, Sports Libre, and Racing Cars to wear flame‑resistant shoes in compliance with Chapter 9, Article 12.4.
Competitors in Standard Cars, Road Cars, and Period Defined Vehicles must wear suitable footwear that fully covers the foot and enables adequate control of the vehicle. The use of plastic footwear (such as trainers) should be avoided.
You are encouraged to ensure that competitors are made aware of these requirements ahead of 2027 so that they can be suitably prepared.
Competitor Judicial Process Guidance Notes
Please be aware that the judicial process guidance notes for competitor are now available on the Motorsport UK Resource centre. Please find them within ‘Competitors & Licencing’ and then ‘Judicial Notes for Guidance’. The documents available are as listed below:
Appeal against Championship Stewards to National Court
Submitting a Protest to the Clerk
To the National Court
To the National Court – Technical
To the Stewards
Decision Sheets – CIK Panel
Where a CIK Judicial Panel are operating at a Kart Event, please ensure that all 3 Steward names and signatures are included on the Steward decision sheet. Please consult with the Club if you notice that the electronic system they use for decision documentation does not allow for this.