Race Officials
The Backbone of Our Sport
Behind every successful race meeting are our dedicated Race Officials — the people who make our sport possible. From ensuring safety on track to maintaining fair competition, Race Officials play a vital role in every aspect of dirt kart racing. Their professionalism, commitment, and teamwork help create the smooth, enjoyable, and safe events that drivers and spectators love. Dirt Karting of Australia is proud to recognise and support the incredible efforts of our officials. We provide training, guidance, and ongoing development opportunities to help them perform their roles with confidence and consistency. If you’re passionate about dirt kart racing and want to be part of the action, consider becoming an Official. It’s a rewarding way to contribute to the sport, develop new skills, and be part of a great community both on and off the track.
Interested in joining our team of Officials?
Race Officials and Their Roles
Race Officials are essential to ensuring that all events are conducted safely, fairly, and in accordance with AIDKA rules. Each official has specific responsibilities that contribute to the smooth running of a meeting.
Stewards
Stewards oversee the administration and enforcement of the Rules of Racing. Each club nominates a Chief Steward, who may appoint additional stewards as required. Responsibilities include:
- Enforcing AIDKA Rules of Racing.
- Adjudicating disputes during the meeting.
- Imposing penalties for breaches of rules.
- Prohibiting unsafe karts or drivers from competing.
- Requesting scrutineering of any kart at any time.
- Expelling persons who refuse to comply with official instructions.
- Postponing or altering events due to safety or force majeure.
Stewards ensure that all drivers, officials, and spectators can enjoy a safe and fair racing environment.
Notes:
Minimum age for probationary stewards is 16 (under supervision), senior stewards must be at least 18. Meetings with over 100 nominations require at least 2 stewards.
Race Director
The Race Director manages the overall conduct of the meeting under the guidance of the Chief Steward. Key responsibilities:
- Ensuring the official program and AIDKA rules are followed.
- Coordinating with officials, track crews, first aid, and other parties to keep the meeting on schedule.
- At title events, must hold State or National Steward accreditation.
- Position is required for all AIDKA Title events and optional for club events.
Scrutineers
Scrutineers ensure all karts comply with AIDKA Rules of Racing:
- Inspect karts before practice or racing; mark compliant karts.
- Conduct random checks throughout events.
- Ensure drivers present clean, race-ready karts and safety equipment.
- Record helmet details and monitor logbooks.
- Prevent unsafe karts from being used and report irregularities to Stewards.
- Examine karts involved in accidents before they return to track.
Pit / Grid Marshalls
Pit and Grid Marshalls manage the pit area and ensure races start smoothly:
- Organise grid positions and send drivers to the track when ready.
- Monitor correct scrutineering identification.
- Report program changes to lap scorers and stewards.
Starter
The Starter manages the formation and start of races:
- Notify drivers to form up using flags or lights.
- Start and finish races.
- Penalise false starts or poor grid formations.
- Communicate instructions using flags, lights, and boards.
- Must hold current Steward accreditation.
Lap Scorers
Lap Scorers record race results and points:
- Track finishing positions for each kart and class.
- Collate points scored by competitors.
- Assist stewards with restarts and provide starting orders for finals.
Drivers Representative
Drivers Representatives act as a liaison between drivers and officials:
- Receive protests, queries, or complaints from drivers.
- Ensure drivers under 18 are accompanied by a parent or guardian when speaking to Stewards.
Engine Measurers
Engine Measurers ensure engines comply with class specifications:
- Organise measuring equipment and inspect engines.
- Report irregularities to the Chief Steward.
- Must not inspect engines they have built.
- Refusal to submit an engine for inspection may result in forfeiting positions and potential disciplinary action.
