Qualification time given by race official (6,8)
I believe the answer is:
career diplomat
'official' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'qualification time given by race' is the wordplay.
'qualification' becomes 'diploma' (type of academic qualification).
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'given by' says to put letters next to each other.
'race' becomes 'career' (career can mean to run or move out of control).
'diploma'+'t'='diplomat'
'diplomat' put after 'career' is 'CAREER DIPLOMAT'.
(Other definitions for career diplomat that I've seen before include "Long-standing envoy, say" , "government official?" , "Envoy not appointed" .)