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Re: Reflections on a racing incident

To: Brian Evans <brian@uunet.ca>
Subject: Re: Reflections on a racing incident
From: larry gallo <agallo@pcfl.net>
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 12:02:23 -0400
What color was the MGC "bullet car"
to which Paul M. refers?



Brian Evans wrote:

> 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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