Auto Racing Flag Rules
What is a 'flagman' in auto racing?
A flagman is basically the eyes of the driver. They see things that happen ahead and warn the driver of impending problems, if the course is blocked, if it's partially blocked, if there is gravel on the course, if there is oil on the track, and things like that. I've been to races where all of a sudden it's raining at the back part of the track, so they're going to get a debris flag out to tell the driver, "you're on a dry track now, but it's raining right here so slow down", because the drivers may not see that.
What does a green flag mean in auto racing?
The green flag starts a race. It also can start a practice session. In other words, you're going around, maybe doing a warm-up lap and at the start of the practice session, the starter is telling you that the course is clear; that you can go out and practice. Normally, it's obviously to start a race. Most races will start with a pace lap with a pace car out in front. The pace car pulls off and the front row leads all the cars down to the start.
What does a yellow flag mean in auto racing?
The yellow flag means that there's probably danger ahead. It can be used in two different ways. A standing yellow where it's motionless means that from where you see that flag there may be an incident. Perhaps it's off the track, but you need to be aware of it. Somebody got off the track and you might do that too, so you need to be aware of that vehicle out there. A waving yellow means that there's something on the racing surface, or it could be just off the racing surface close enough to where you need to be really aware of it. When you see a waving yellow flag, it's a good idea if you can get your hand up a little bit to warn the other drivers behind you, but mainly you need to slow down. There is no passing allowed under the yellow, from where you see the yellow flag until you pass the incident.
What does a red flag mean in auto racing?
The red flag means stop. Actually that's interesting because in a lot of organizations, when you see a red flag, you may only see it at the start.
What does a black flag mean in auto racing?
In auto racing, the black flag, there are two types of black flag, there is a black one with an orange ball, it means there is something wrong with your car. You may know it, your wheels are getting wobbly, you've got an exhaust pipe hanging out, something is wrong you are smoking for you to know that you get off the racing in line. And that means that you come under the pit line as soon as you can. Obviously, if the problem is too bad, you want to pull over the side of the track or off the track as much as possible, it would be a good idea to pull over by a turn station because if you need a fire extinguisher or whatever they will have that. But the mechanical black with the orange ball at the front means something is wrong with the car. A full black means something is wrong with the driver. That is blacking, he is dropping wheels off the track, he cut somebody off, he almost caused an accident, there is a problem, and the organization wants to get that driver off the track to talk to them.
What does a white flag mean in auto racing?
The white flag is used, normally by NASCAR and a number of other organizations, meaning if you see it at the start/finish line meaning one lap to go. If you see it at a corner-- it could be either a white one or a white one with maybe a red cross in it-- that might mean that there's an emergency vehicle out on the track and that you have to be aware of that. If you just see a white one, sometimes we'll use it in the first few sessions of a race weekend to show drivers where the flag stations are. It also means there is a vehicle going at non-racing speed which... obviously a tow truck and an ambulance would be going at "non-racing speed", but it could be a race car going at "non-racing speed". Maybe you have a tire going flat or you're only running on four cylinders instead of eight - you've reduced your speed quite a bit so that the people behind you need to know that there's a slower vehicle, whether it's a race car or emergency vehicle, on the track.
What does a blue with diagonal yellow stripe mean in auto racing?
Blue with a diagonal stripe is a passing flag. It's basically an information flag. If you see it that means there's a car behind you that may want to get around, alright? Now, first of all, good drivers are going to know if there's a car around them, but its kind of helping you just in case. Maybe, you have got some faster cars coming up behind you. They're going to lap you. You need to be aware of that, may be a little bit ahead of time. But technically as an information flag. Now, if there are faster cars coming up behind you, then you should move over to the side point them by. Let them by.
What does the checkered flag signify in auto racing?
The chequered flag signifies the end of the race, the end of the practice session, or the end of the qualifying session. It means that this session is done. You continue around in a cool-off lap, because when you get the chequered flag, you're going flat out, and you're going as fast as you can. So, you use it as a cool-down lap, because your car is pretty hot, the brakes are pretty hot, the tires are pretty hot, and the engine's pretty hot. So, when you get that chequered flag, you need to slow the car down. Cool everything down, so that when you go into the pits, the car is going to be a little bit more user friendly for the pit crew and everybody else.
