For the record, in CASC sanctioned races, the red flag procedure is to
immediately slow, and return to the grid/pit area, where you will be
directed as to where to stop. There is no flag that means stop on course,
the black flag is used for individual cars only, to report to the pits, and
they can race back to the pits, they don't have to slow down.
This is often confirmed during drivers meetings, wherein the correct
procedure for red flags and the default reporting area is confirmed.
Brian
At 10:04 PM 09/14/1999 -0400, you wrote:
>In a message dated 9/14/99 9:16:41 PM, vscjohn@huntnet.net writes:
>
><<Yellow flags are commonly disobeyed, and far too many "racers" don't know
>what they, or the other flags for that matter, tell them.>>
>
> I agree that yellow flags are often not taken seriously enough. In this
>case, it was compounded by the fact that there were fewer corner workers on
>hand and I believe that the only yellow going up the hill in the esses were
>the yellow course lights. This is harder to judge than a corner worker
>vigourously waving a yellow. Race control did put out a red flag, but it was
>displayed in turn 1 only after some cars, including our sports racer, had
>already passed turn 1 and were headed into the esses. I don't know if the
>red was out when the MGC passed turn 1. I think a lot of racers, myself
>included, are lulled by all the yellows they see that are not a serious
>incident and don't require any evasive action. Maybe this incident will help
>serve to remind people to think twice when a yellow is displayed.
>
> As for the other flags, if you polled drivers at most events about red
>flag procedure, you will get a lot of different answers. At the Glen, an
>SVRA official was chastising the drivers at a drivers meeting for not
>stopping on course when the red was displayed. He was interrupted by several
>drivers who pointed out that the printed material provided in the entry
>package instructed drivers to reduce speed and proceed to the pits under a
>red flag! The Watkins Glen official on hand said that their red flag
>procedure is to stop on course until instructed otherwise. So it's not just
>the driver's who don't know what all the flags mean!
>
> For the record, I believe (correct me if I am wrong) that the proper
> red
>flag procedure is to come to a safe controlled stop on course and await
>further instructions. It goes without saying that one should pull to the
>side of the course to allow room for any emergency vehicles to pass.
> Black flag procedure is for all cars to slow immediately and return to
>the hot pit.
>
> P.S. We haven't written off our sports racer yet, we plan to repair it
>if at all possible.
>
> Doug Meis - Team Escargot
>
Brian Evans
Director, Global Sales
UUNET, An MCI WorldCom Company
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