Random thoughts

[fastg]

hi guys,

I have the same understanding as Kirk regarding the blue flag – your still racing, with the understanding your being overtaken – see the nose of a kart, and you let them buy… I think there is a natural tendency to slow down / modify your line – not only is that unnecessary – but could be dangerous – count on the faster kart driver knowing how to get around, and don’t make there life harder by doing something unpredictable.

I have the same question regarding yellow – your still under race conditions, but no passing – for how long? I’ve have had the yellow flag violently waved at me and I wasn’t passing – but not backing off either… maybe someone can expand my understanding.

Question on red flag – what is the proceedure – I don’t know if it’s different between classes, but what is it? I know it’s a canceled race – but I’ve seen people stop on the track as well as return to the hot grid…

These questions make me feel dumb, but guess I’d rather feel dumb in front of the computer instead of on the track…

thanks for the input!

Gary

[Ian]

Racing Flags
A explanation of the flags used in NASCAR racing.

GREEN FLAG — The green flag is used to start all racetrack event activities including practice, individual qualifying runs, and race events. The race is underway and continuing as long as the green flag is prevalent.

YELLOW FLAG — The yellow or ?caution? flag is used to signify trouble on the racetrack which may include wrecks, debris on the track, wet track surface, or any other dangerous condition on the racetrack. KARTERS:BE AWARE! Flagger may point to where the flagger is flagging for.

BLACK FLAG — The black flag is used to inform a race driver of a rules infraction, or unsafe condition concerning his racecar. When the black flag is shown to a driver, he must immediately leave the racetrack and report to his pit box in the pit area.

RED FLAG — The red flag signifies that all action on the racetrack must be stopped immediately. It is commonly used when the race track is blocked by wreckage or deemed unsafe for use. During the time that the red flag is shown crews in the pit and garage areas are not allowed to work on their racecars. All activity, other than that of track safety and clean up crews, must come to a stop. KARTS slow down, raise hand, move off racing line and look for instruction from the corner workers.

BLUE/YELLOW FLAG — This is the ?move over? flag to notify a slower driver that he should move over to allow faster racecars to pass by him because he is holding up the race. It is often shown to drivers who are not on the lead lap and are racing with the leaders in an effort to get their lap back. KARTERS: This maybe displayed to notify that faster traffic may be approaching prior to being in an area where another flagger is. BE AWARE!

WHITE FLAG — This flag signifies that there is only one lap remaining in the race or qualifying run. It lets the race leaders know that they are on the last lap of the race.

CHECKERED FLAG — This flag signifies that the event on the track is over. It is used mainly to let drivers know that they have won the race, or in qualifying time trials, it lets the driver know that his qualifying RUN/RACE is over. NO MAKE UP LAP. PAY ATTENTION!

To quote Drew K:
“If you were racing and did not know, you are wrong”. Don’t be afraid to ask. Bobby, Jim, Rusty and myself are more than willing to help. Let’s end this season with everyone being correct and continue in the years to come.

C Ya Sunday.

[Mike Jansen]

Ian:

As always great explanation! Although you did forget the rolled black flag that is used at times. Could you please explain too…

See you Sunday or sooner, keep up the good work and I don’t think Scooter’s coming along. She’s got rabbit fever and I don’t want her chasing them all afternoon.

[Ian]

Rolled Black flag means that we are warning you about your driving. CUT IT OUT OR YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED!

[Anonymous]

Need to be throwing those rolled black flags more! :argue

[Mike Jansen]

Ian,
Good job, thanks!

Rich,
We’ve seen more rolled black flags this season that previous and the flaggers are doing a great job, constantly improving.

Ian, do I get a KK for brown nosing? 😆

[fastg]

Thanks for the review Ian! Don’t think racers can get it too often. I’m still looking for clarification:

@fastg wrote:

Same question regarding yellow – your still under race conditions, but no passing – for how long? I’ve have had the yellow flag violently waved at me and I wasn’t passing – but not backing off either… maybe someone can expand my understanding.

Question on red flag – what is the proceedure – I don’t know if it’s different between classes, but what is it? I know it’s a canceled race – but I’ve seen people stop on the track as well as return to the hot grid…

how would I handle the above two flags this comming Sunday in the CSC race?

Thanks,

Gary

[Curt Kistler]

@Rich Vito wrote:

Need to be throwing those rolled black flags more! :argue

How would you know?

Ian,
Good job in your definations! You should also elaborate at the drivers meeting what to do when Mr. Blue flys. IE: Hold your line, get off the racing line, move to the right…..

[Anonymous]

Curt,

:argue :lame

[Angie MacEwen]

Ian. Thank you for the explanations. I think the blue flag needs some clarifications.

I don?t think the blue flag should be considered a ?move over? flag. I have heard it referred to as an informational flag, and that a driver should be aware that there are lead karts ready to pass, and to HOLD their line. Since karts don’t have mirrors and spotters on the radio like NASCAR, the blue flag is a way of letting racers know what is coming behind them. If a guy has been following you, gauging your moves, figuring where to best get around, and all of a sudden you slow and move over, that could cause problems. I definitely think it should be clarified at drivers? meetings.

This is what is says in the Rock Island Grand Prix rules……
16. Blue Flag: The blue flag will be shown to racers when they are about to be lapped by faster traffic. It may be shown at the flag stand or by one of the assistant race directors. When a racer receives the blue flag, he/she MUST acknowledge it with a hand signal, hold their racing line, and allow faster traffic to pass. Failure to do so will result in a penalty ranging from loss of position up to disqualification, at the discretion of the race director. If a driver flagrantly disregards the blue flag and fails to hold his/her line, or in the judgement of the race director becomes a problem on the track, they will be immediately black flagged. The faster, overtaking kart should make every effort to choose a racing line that will avoid lapped traffic. Failure to avoid a slower kart, which has acknowledged the blue flag and is holding its racing line, could result in a penalty assessed against the overtaking kart, up to and including disqualification at the discretion of the race director.

As to the red flag? our rule book says this?.
6.12.3 Red Flag: A red flag indicates that the race has been temporarily halted, for emergency or other reasons. A driver is to slow safely to a stop with hand raised. The drivers may be directed by officials to return slowly to the start / finish. A driver may not enter the pits and may not work on the kart unless otherwise directed by the Race Director. The race order for the restart is determined by the last fully completed and scored green flag lap.
6.12.3.1 Any driver that leaves the track by ambulance will not be allowed to restart. Any driver causing a red flag may be subject to not restarting or other penalty determined by the Race Director. If more than two karts are involved in a red flag incident, position at back of pack will be determined by last scored position in a fully completed lap.

And on the yellow?..

6.12.2 Yellow Flag: A yellow flag indicates that there is a problem on the course ahead. The driver is to proceed with caution and raise a hand to signal following drivers. A driver is not pass from the point that the yellow flag is being displayed until cleared of the incident . Passing on a yellow flag will result in lap penalties
6.12.2.1 Double Waving Yellow Flags: Signifies a full course yellow when double waving yellow flags are displayed at the start/finish line. All competitors will line up behind the leader at a constant reduced pace and follow the restart procedure.
6.12.2 2 Waving Yellow Flag: Slow down, Do Not Pass. Waving Yellow Flag on a corner means there is something on the racing surface or extreme danger to the driver or person ahead.
6.12.2.3 Standing Yellow Flag (not waving): Continue at racing speed. Minimal danger ahead requiring driver?s attention at next corner.

If there are better explanations, please let me know so that changes could be considered for next year’s rule book.

Thanks,
Angie

[Ian]

Angie is right: the blue flag is considered as an informational flag, and that a driver should be aware that there are lead karts ready to pass, and to HOLD their line.

Fastg Wrote: Same question regarding yellow – your still under race conditions, but no passing – for how long? I’ve have had the yellow flag violently waved at me and I wasn’t passing – but not backing off either… maybe someone can expand my understanding.

In most cases the flagger will point to the area in question. YOU need to be aware that there is NO PASSING going into the area where the kart is. As far as not backing off, I look at it this way, if you do not acknowledge the YELLOW, ie raise hand or give a thumbs up, you may risk disqualification.

[Doug Welch]

I have lots of mixed feelings about the blue flag. In Stars, Rotax Grand Nationals and the old Pro Moto Tour, the blue flag is used as a removal flag. Some heed it, some don’t. When they don’t, it usually screws up the race for the leaders. On our first year of the tour, we never saw the checker flag in a main evetn. We were always blue flageded off. We felt cheated as we paid our money, why not get all our laps?

Now that we are usually towards the front, I would love to see the blue flag used as a removal flag. But, I still feel its fundamentally unfair to those racers who, for what ever reason, find them selves being lapped. For example, in last weeks TaG club race at The Track, there would only have been 4 karts on the track at the end. Boring and unfair so I do not advocate using the blue flag to remove racers.

I’ve no doubt that most guys being lapped want to let the leaders past. But the big question is, how to do it in a manner that is safe for both racers? All to often I’ve seen a lapper become difficult to pass and a big lead reduced to nothing. Some guys are trying to race the leader. That maybe fine in Nextel Cup, but this is go kart racing. Let’em go.

There are a couple of other cases. A guy is following his line but his line is a bit goofy and that’s why he’s being lapped. This line, while the racer does it every time, it can be a line that is difficult to get around. This problem can be compounded in a couple of classes. In Tag classes, the motors are really fairly equal. A guy with a goofy line but a floors it on the straights can be very difficult to pass for you can’t power around him.

Another case is often found in the shifter classes. Not all motors are created equal. Some guys have a monster of a motor but park it in the corners. Combine that with a goofy line, this guy can easily hold up a racer who is two seconds a lap faster.

Any time a leader is held up by a lapper, there is a frustration level that builds up and the results are not good. The leader may give a “friendly” nudge that quickly becomes a not so friendly nudge. Worst case, the leader punts the guy off the track. Nobody wants this kind of behavior on the kart track.

A lapper that slows dramatically and trys to get out of the way often does just the opposite. Yet if he continous to go as he has, he risks holding up the leaders and getting black flaged or punted.

My suggestion to the lappers. If your shown the blue flag, unless you’re not driving past your shoes, you should be aware that faster karts are coming. The flager may show you a number of fingers, The flager is not telling you that you’re number one or two, rather he is telling you how many fast guys are coming. As a habit, when exiting corners, you can see behind you. I’m not talking about “owling” when going down a straight, but when in several areas of the track, you can look out the corner of your eye and see who’s behind you and how far back they are.

Slowing dramatically and darting to the side is clearly dangerious and should not be done. However, there is nothing wrong with lifting just a bit on the straight and pointing to one side to let them know you are expecting them to pass on that side. The racer being passed should hold his line but soft pedal the kart for a bit to let the guys by safely and quickly. I realize that this is racing, however, we are not racing for anything more that fun. There is no reason we can’t be gentleman and ladies on the track.

[Author]

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