| Flag Signals
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Waving Yellow Flag - indicates that the racing line is blocked. This flag is used to indicate vehicle(s) or other things (large debris, deer, people) in or within a car length of the racing line, at or past your turn station. Define the racing line as including the worst line the group is using, not just the ideal one. Some organizations request a waving yellow status any time personnel are responding; you'll be told if this is the case. Some groups, (notably F1) use a double waving yellow if the track is more than 50% blocked.
This signal is given by extending your arm straight out from the shoulder and then moving it up and down, keeping your arm straight.
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Standing Yellow Flag - indicates a problem similar to above that is close enough to the line to be a hazard (on track, but way off line, more than a car length off track, but in a frequent runoff area, etc. If in doubt, put it out and then ask.) This signal is given by extending your arm straight out from the shoulder and held stationary.
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| Double Yellow Flag
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Double Yellow Flag - indicates that there is now a full course yellow situation. This is commonly used when there is a pace car situation.
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Oil/Debris Flag (red and yellow stripes) - : This flag is commonly called a surface flag, slippery flag, oil flag, debris flag, etc. It is used standing ONLY, and indicates that there is a problem on or near line with the track surface. This can be oil, other fluids (including unexpected rain, snow or hail), sand, etc. that has caused a change in surface adhesion. Again, this is for a problem at or past your station. This signal is given by extending your arm straight at about a 60 degree angle and then making a small circular motion.
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White Flag - indicates a slow vehicle or an emergency vehicle on course. Used for race vehicle at 1/2 or less normal speed, or for tow truck, sweeper, ambulance, etc. Put up when vehicle reaches your turn station and hold until it is two turns past you. This is a standing flag, not waving. VARIATIONS: Some race groups prefer to use a standing yellow for a slow race vehicle and reserve the white for response vehicles. This signal is given by raising your arms above your head at about 45 degree angles and holding them stationary.
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Red Flag - this is rarely used and some groups don't use it at all. It means it may not be safe to proceed to the pits; the racer should pull over at the first opportunity, and then proceed cautiously to the next turnworker and wait for their instructions. A red flag is shown at all stations. An example of a red flag situation was a car upside down and burning in the middle of the track at Turn 10 at Sears. In this case the route to safe pitting is obstructed. With the motorcycle events the red flag in indicates that the sessions is stopped and they should proceed to the pits. This signal is given by taking a hand and doing a slash motion across your neck as if you're cutting your throat.
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| Black Flag
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Black Flag - The black flag may be given to INDIVIDUAL vehicles for a number of reasons, and this is done only at DESIGNATED black flag stations. These will usually include the starter. At Sears Point, black flag stations are Turn 5 and Turn 9 as well as starter; at Laguna it is Turn 7 and starter. Race Control will request a black flag by saying "Post car 17". (See communications section for more detail.) The posted racer will be shown an open black flag and a number board with the car number at the black flag stations. If a racer is being reprimanded but not penalized with a pit stop, he/she will be shown a furled (closed) black flag at the starter stand only. The two turns before the black flag station will "spot" the posted car as it comes through, the first giving color and the second giving position, to assist the black flag station.
BLACK FLAG ALL is a full course black, meaning all stations show a black flag. This is used when it is necessary to get the whole pack to pit, for instance because a really messy incident needs to be cleaned up, or it's just started hailing. Under this flag all cars proceed cautiously to the pits, and wait for the session to be resumed.
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| Mechanical Black
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Mechanical Black - If a vehicle is being posted for mechanical reasons the MECHANICAL BLACK , or "meatball", a black flag with a red or orange circle in the middle will be shown.
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| Green Flag
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Green Flag - Also only given by starter, indicates start of race after pace lap(s) or indicates resume racing speed following full course yellow, or pace lap situation, or resume race after being stopped by black or red flag situation. The exception is F1 and FIM; they display a green flag at the station just past an incident requiring a yellow flag. The station that has had a yellow flag situation displays a green for one lap after the incident is cleared.
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| Passing Flag
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Passing Flag - This is the most challenging flag for most people to master. Observe your window carefully, because timing is essential to usefulness. There are two uses for blue flags:
PRACTICE AND QUALIFYING SESSIONS : Show the blue to a racer to indicate that a faster vehicle is approaching and will want to pass SOON (in your turn or the next one.) The racer will often acknowledge with a point by to the other vehicle. The blue flag DOES NOT INDICATE THAT A RACER NEEDS TO CHANGE HIS/HER LINE; it indicates that they need to check the mirrors, be aware, and not make any stupid moves that will turn a pass into a collision. Unlike the emergency flags we've been discussing, the blue flag is a message to a specific vehicle, so must be shown quickly when that vehicle enters the flagging window and put away so as not to confuse too many other people. Watch experienced blue flaggers for technique; practice is the only route to getting good at this.
RACES : During a race, the blue flag is ONLY shown to a vehicle that is about to be LAPPED. This requires the flagger to be aware of who the lead vehicles are, who the back-of-the-pack vehicles are, and their relative positions. You also need to be aware of vehicles that may have lost enough time in the pits because of mechanical problems or penalties to allow them to be lapped despite their initial positions. Practice and concentration are the keys here, and it's not adequate to just keep track of the leaders. In longer races, especially with mixed vehicle types or driver skill, it is not uncommon to have to blue the racer who is three laps down and getting passed by the one who is only two laps down, etc. Practice, practice , practice; it's a challenge, but it's also the most fun flagging you can do.
The blue flag can either be a waving or standing flag. It's given as waving when the pass of the slower vehicle is being made NOW, it is given as a standing when the pass is not imminent but will happen soon.
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| Ambulance Flag
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Ambulance Flag - Used by a few groups, usually the bike races, for MEDICAL EMERGENCY vehicles only . Traditionally this has been used in the same manner as the white flag, but conveys more information. This enables Race Control to dispatch emergency vehicles counter-course if necessary in situations where seconds count. Other race groups may adopt this. Since use varies, specifics should be covered at morning meeting.
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Checkered Flag - indicates end of session or race. It is usually only given by starter although sometimes there is a second flag station around mid-course that will also display the checker, depending on the group. Cars/motorcycles will pit.
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This signal is used to instruct the flagger(s) that he may cancel any flag(s) they have displayed. This signal is given by holding both arms out above your head and then lowering them down to your legs.
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| Emergency Signals
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Alert : Injured Driver/Rider - This signal is given to inidcate that the driver/rider is injured and needs attention. It can be followed the Checkered Flag signal if the rider/driver is ok till the end of the session/race. You can also give the Now signal to indicate they need attention immediately. This signal is given by extending your arm and letting your forearm hang down. You then swing your forearm towards and then away from your body (like your arm is broken and swinging freely).
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Ambulance Required - Only a Turn Marshall or NMP can request an ambulance. This signal indicates that an ambulance is needed for the rider/driver. This signal is give by taking your hands over your head repeatedly to form an "A". The communicator should mirror this signal back to you to acknowledge the request.
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Driver/Rider OK - this indicates that the rider/driver involved in an incident is ok and does not need medical attention. This signal is given by placing your arms above your head and repeatedly making an "X" above your head.
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Now - this signal is usually used with an ambulance or tow request. It means that you need whatever the previous signal was, immediately. This signal is given by taking a arm from your chest and then pointing slightly into or away from your body and pointing down at the same time. To request an ambulance immediately you would give the ambulance signal directly followed by the Now signal.
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Alert Fire - indicates that there is a fire. It may be a vehicle or grass, etc. This signal is given by forming an "F" with your arms. Your top arm should be fully extended with your lower arm partially extended and below your upper arm by a small distance.
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Fire Bottle Needed - This indicates that a fire bottle is needed. This signal is given by using your upper arm to perform a pumpmotion towards your lower hand.
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Hold/Status Quo - indicates that the perosn giving the signal either is trying to get information or everthing is ok. This signal is given by extending both arms straight out,
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Assistance Needed - indicates that help/assistance is needed. This signal is given by tapping the top of your head.
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No/Negative - indicates No, negative or cancel to a question or signal. This signal is made by repeatedly making an "X" with your arms hanging down.
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Track Clearance Request - indicates that the person giving the signal needs to know when there is a clearance in traffic so that they can cross track. The person asking for the clearance should put one arm straight up, holding it there. The person giving the signal that the track is clear should also raise their arm and leave it there until the car/motorcycle behind which there is a good break in traffic comes by. As that vehicle passes the person giving the clearance should point at the car and sweep their arm with the vehicle as it passes to indicate that after that vehicle passes, the track is clear to cross. The person crossing the track should do so as quickly as possible.
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Pull Tow - indicates that the disabled vehicle needs a pull tow into the pits. This signal is given by extending your arms forward at the waist and then pulling them back towards yourself.
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Lift Tow - indicates that the disabled vehicle needs a lift tow into the pits. This signal is give by extending your arms from the waist and then lifting them straight up and over your head.
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