ProCoach

An explanation of a particularly arcane procedure adopted only by FIA (hence Tudor and some CASC events) does not reinforce that that red flag procedure is NOT generally well known or taught in North America.

Under NO circumstances should the FIA rule be used for Club and DE events.

The NUMBER ONE cause for incidents at track events is confusion interpreting "standard" protocol. And I have data to support that...

JPS

Not to derail on flags, but Hank Watts, Golden Gate Chief Instructor at one time and author of Secrets of Solo Racing, used to teach that essentially every flag mean, "Check your mirrors" and then do something.

Blue = Check your mirrors, someone is faster than you (actually he used to say if you are in a Club Race, "There's a race going on and you aren't in it")
Black = Check your mirrors, be aware, and get to the pits
Red = Check your mirrors, stop controlled and safe in sight of a flag station.

You get the point.

Matt Romanowski

I wasn't saying that people didn't know red flag procedure or that anyone should use FIA flagging. I was only pointing out the differences and why most people are not familiar with FIA flagging.

I agree that a lot of people do not have a full, fast acting understanding of the flags.

winders

For the red flag, I hope you guys mention not to stop on the track at a blind exit......

ProCoach

Agreed. Didn't realize this until I started coaching pros over a decade ago.

Sorry to sound harsh. Appreciate that you posted that explanation.

Gofishracing

I'm a big supporter of Red flag drills for DE. It's good to review with green students when you get in their cars. I often say- there may be a red flag drill and review procedure.

LuigiVampa

I've been driving on track for eight years with NASA, PCA, and a few other clubs and have never had a "drill" of any kind.

Good idea!

Gofishracing

NNJR use to do it. We did it at PDA - and early years at NASA NE when I was Chief. I too have not seen it recently but I have been out of the loop. I'll have it incorporated at HOD next event. I expect NASA NE to do it at next event also.

ProCoach

Man, we used to do it at most of the TrackTime events in the 1980's, every one of the 80+ events at Car Guys, Inc. in the Nineties and most BMWCCA Tarheel Chapter and Capitol Chapter events.

We did BFA (black flag all) to end at least one or more sessions over the weekend and Red flag drills at least once for each group. It helped weed out a lot of sketchy people and several were sent home when they blew it more than once.

I have seen some VERY inattentive drivers at PCA Club Racing and some historic racing events...

I first saw those drills in SCCA Comp school. Blew a checker once and almost didn't pass the school!

Gofishracing

CAR GUYS !! One of my early events. I wish I could find my old shirt. They ran a nice program

ProCoach

Yep. One of the first and best for-profits (not really sure Kenley ever came out ahead...) from 1989 to 1997. Was ok for a few years after Kenley sold it but went downhill pretty quick as the core group drifted away.

Instructor development was top notch, workers were top-notch, classroom was top-notch and the venues were terrific. Refrigerator Bowl in January and February at Summit Point, Road Atlanta, Rockingham, Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was a very good program. Safety was NUMBER ONE.

C. Dan Unkefer and Dan Dazzo were (and are) some of the best guys I've ever worked with. It was a good time. Don't forget, PCA Club Racing started in 1992!

TXE36

We don't do red flag drills, ostensibly because they are dangerous. However, I'm second guessing this after my experiences with a newbie green student and the red was dropped. It was chaos for a few moments until I got things settled in the car. "Pull off line and stop" "Hugh, what?!?" sort of stuff - and a car following way back did manage to pass us before seeing the red flag between us and the flag station.

A red flag wasn't thrown in the first 5 years I did the sport. I also had one at COTA where the car in front of me just pounded the brakes when the red was thrown on the cool down lap. I had to dive off into the red paint to avoid him.

Methinks we could use a bit of practice .

-Mike

Veloce Raptor

I am a big fan of regular red flag drills in all run groups.

944Cup

Stopping on the racing surface is a bad idea under any condition. The use of Red Flags should be abolished

Asquared