Zwartkops Marshals Association or in short ZMA, is a marshalling body that provides marshalling services to Zwartkops Raceway. Since the track reopened in 2002 in its current format, there was a need to establish its own marshalling body. In 2002 Zwartkops Marshals Club (ZMC) was formed under the flag of the Zwartkops Owners Club (ZOC). In2025 ZMA was established as a separate marshalling body directly affiliated to Motorsport South Africa (MSA).
ZMA provide marshalling services not only to the main circuit, but also to karting and any other events on Zwartkops raceway like the SA4x4 Show, Cars in the Park and numerous corporate events during the year. We also marshal at different circuits around the country assisting other marshalling bodies.
We are a family orientated association that welcomes families to join us and become part of our team. At the beginning of each year, we have a major training day and after each race we have a social bring and braai where we can socialize with each other as well as competitors. There is a minimal yearly fee that is used for the administration of the association.
A marshal is a volunteer who is passionate about motorsport and can marshal in a team. A marshal’s sole purpose is to ensure that the competitors have a safe environment to race in. A marshal is the first one at a circuit at dawn and stays there till after dusk, rain or shine! We mostly marshal on Saturdays but before a race day there is usually a Friday official practice. Occasionally we will have a race day on a public holiday but rarely on a Sunday. All attendance is on a voluntary basis, but we do require some sort of commitment and dedication from a person. During a race a marshal is the only communication to a competitor regarding track conditions and happenings on the circuit by means of flags. Safety is the most important aspect of a marshal’s task.
To become a marshal, you must be 16 years or older. Marshalling consists of different roles namely Incident, Flag, Observer, Fire and Pit marshals. Each role performs specific tasks on a race day. When joining ZMA, training will be provided in all genres of marshaling. Once qualified you will be able to marshal on any circuit in South Africa. We comply to the MSA Standards laid down in the General Rule and Regulations (GCR) handbook so when you qualify as a marshal you will be able to marshal on any circuit in South Africa.
Motorsport is dangerous so all marshals are medically insured through MSA. Although marshaling is a hobby, some circuits will compensate you for travel and food expenses.
Please feel free to email us zma@zwartkops.co.za if you need any further information or if you want to join us for a track orientation day.