H. Flags and
flagging
1. Displaying flags (see diagrams)
a. Stationary flag
1. Most flags are displayed in a
stationary position . Both hands should be used
to hold the flag open to oncoming traffic, either
above your head for stations with a long viewing
distance from the riders= sight, or
in front of your body, or at your side for
shorter or lower visibility.
2. For short or tight turns
display the flag at shoulder height at trackside.
3. If you are not sure about the
correct method to display a particular flag ask
your corner captain or Race Control. (See Diagram E, Stationary
flagCone
hand method, and Diagram F, Stationary
flagCtwo
hand overhead method.)
b. Waving flag
1. Move slowly through a large
figure 8 with the flag facing perpendicular to
the riders=
line of site (See Diagram G, Waving
flag in figure A8@).
2. It if is windy, hold the flag
at the opposite corner and wave overhead in a
large arc (See Diagram
H, Stationary flagCtwo hand
method, and Diagram I, Stationary
flagCfront
of body method).
c. Furled flag
1. Gather the flag fabric lightly
around the handle.
2. The flagger should hold a
furled yellow flag down and to her side or behind
her out of the riders=
sight, ready to deploy immediately. This should
prevent the wind from waving the flag fabric,
which could be mistaken for a waving yellow flag
(See Diagram D, Furled
flag, out of sight of rider).
2. Flags
A. Flags and signals used by the
corner marshals and the starter are listed as follows
(see Diagram J, Flags).
1. STATIONARY YELLOW
(CAUTION). Used by the corner marshals and
the starter to inform the riders of a potentially
hazardous condition, between the flag station
displaying the flag and the next flag station. A
stationary yellow may be used to indicate a slow
rider is ahead. The corner marshals will display
a stationary yellow at the first lap of practice
or the sighting lap of each race to identify the
corner station. Passing is allowed.
2. WAVING YELLOW (DANGER).
Used by the comer marshals and the starter to
inform the riders a hazardous condition is on or
near the track or in the impact zone. No
passing is allowed from the waving yellow flag
until the rider is clear of the incident. If
a competitor is observed passing on a waving
yellow flag by an official of the race, penalties
will be assessed.
3. YELLOW/RED VERTICAL STRIPES
(DEBRIS). Used by the corner marshals and the
starter. Indicates great danger on the track
ahead: debris, oil, gas, dirt, hay, motorcycles,
downed riders or marshals are on the track or in
the impact zone ahead. This condition may require
riders to leave their lines to avoid the debris.
Extreme caution is to be exercised by all riders.
This flag should be accompanied by a pointing
motion from the comer worker directing
competitors to the rider=s right or
the rider=s
left. (Always direct the riders away from the
debris if possible.) Passing is allowed.
Continue flag display until the debris is
cleared. (See Diagram
K, Debris flag display, and Diagram L, Point
away from debris.)
4. RAIN. The debris flag
may be used to signal rain by pointing one arm
straight up to the sky while displaying the flag
In a stationary position. A furled debris flag
pointed straight up may be used to signal rain.
5. MECHANICAL WAVE OFF.
The corner worker will point a furled debris flag
at the rider=s
faceshield, accompanied by a pointing motion to
leave the track. This signals the rider to leave
the racing surface at the first safe opportunity
and indicates a potentially hazardous mechanical
problem. Riders should exit the track close to a
corner station for further instructions, and to
facilitate communications. (See Diagram M, Furled
flag for mechanical wave-off.)
6. WHITE WITH RED CROSS
(AMBULANCE). Indicates an ambulance or emergency
vehicle is on course, displayed at the corner
preceding the incident, at the incident and the
start/finish line. May be accompanied by a
pointing motion to the riders= right or
left indicating the direction to proceed. Passing
is allowed.
7. STATIONARY AMBULANCE FLAG. Indicates
an ambulance is present at or beyond the next
down-track flag station. Riders may have to leave
their lines to avoid the incident. Once the
ambulance enters the next down-track flag
station, they will display their flag and you
will retire yours.
8. WAVING AMBULANCE FLAG.
Indicates an ambulance is active at or between
your station and the next down-track station.
Extreme caution is to be exercised by all riders.
Riders, motorcycles, marshals and possible debris
may be on the track or in adjacent runoff area.
Continue flag display until the incident is
clear. A waving yellow or debris will often
accompany the waving ambulance, indicating the
possibility of motorcycles, downed riders,
debris, marshals or paramedics on the track
working the incident. Display the flag until the
ambulance becomes mobile, and the next down-track
station displays a waving flag. At this time it
is appropriate to display a stationary ambulance
flag. The yellow or debris flag should remain
displayed after the ambulance is gone if crews
are still securing the site.
9. RED FLAG. Hold
stationary or waving as necessary to gain
competitors=
attention. Displayed immediately on instruction
from Race Control by the starter and all corner
marshals to signal the riders to STOP RACING, the
race has been suspended. Indicates great danger
somewhere on the track and the race must be
stopped. Riders are not to stop on the racing
surface. All riders are to immediately slow
down and proceed to the pit steward or the grid
marshal for further instructions. Riders are
instructed not to leave the hot pit area,
entering the paddock at this time will result in
penalties or disqualification.
STOPPING THE RACE: If
major track blockage has occurred or if a
dangerous situation is beyond the corner workers= ability to
handle during race conditions, the corner captain
may request that the race be stopped. The
communication person should immediately inform
Control of the situation. Control may request
more information or consult with other officials
or prior to making the final judgement. Race
Control is the ONLY person authorized to give
the red flag command. Normally the corner captain
will receive the order for the red flag over the
radio and will display it herself. This will
minimize the possibility of an errant red flag.
10. GREEN. Used by starter
to start the race or practice session and to
indicate a clear track.
11. GREEN & WHITE FURLED
& CROSSED. Courtesy flag used by the
starter to signal the halfway point in the event.
12. WHITE. Courtesy flag
used by the starter to signal the last lap.
13. BLACK & WHITE
CHECKERED. Used by the starter to signal the
end of the race or practice session.
14. BLACK WITH AN ORANGE BALL
IN THE CENTER (MEATBALL). Used by the starter
to signal a rider to report to the grid marshal
or pit steward on the next lap. Often used with a
number board to identify the rider number. RULE
INFRACTION. (Some tracks may use a black flag
with a l-inch white border.)
15. BLACK. Indicates a
mechanical problem. Used by the starter only, to
signal a rider to reduce speed and exit the
racing surface at the first safe opportunity. A
number board at the start/finish line may be used
to identify the rider.
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