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Auto Racing Flags
Back in the day when auto racing was first born, there were no radios or hand sign language to use to communicate with the driver of a race machine. Black chalk boards were the first thing officials tried but it didn’t work well as the drivers reported not being able to read the signs due to the roughness and the vibrations of the vehicle. Since most countries had established colors for certain indications on the early roadways, most racing venues of the time adopted them and their original meanings to indicate to drivers what was going on during a race.
As sophisticated as auto racing has become today with the use of spotters, computer linked transponders, and radio communications, the use of flags might seem insignificant, but that is not true. They are still used as an indication to the fans and the drivers who have grown so accustomed to the use of them that they can’t be phased out. They are historic and an essential part of auto racing today. As a new fan, the key to understanding what is happening on the track is to learn the flags and their indications as used by race officials and corner marshals (corner workers).
Drivers rely on the flags and signal lights to tell them what is happening during practice, qualifying and racing. As a spectator, either at the track or via television, you can tell what's happening as soon as you see a flag. Learning the difference between the flags and why they are displayed will help you better understand the operations of the event.
While many of the flags have the same meaning, there are numerous variations between racing series and sometimes from track to track. The meaning can also differ depending on how the flag is held or displayed. A stationary flag can have one meaning while the waving flag can have another and pointing a flag at a particular participant can mean yet another. It's up to the race officials and corner workers to make sure they properly display the correct flag in the proper manner for it’s meaning or indication to be received.
To fully understand the meaning of each individual flag, you must see the article on each flag commonly used in motor sports today. A2Z Auto Racing guide to auto racing flags includes the most commonly used meanings for most of the major racing series. Racers and team members should always check their individual series rule book and ask at the track for any variations.
The
color
GREEN
was used as an international color for meaning that the way was clear and
that you could come or go safely. Using the color Green for this indication
comes from early mariner ports and ships and was an indication to drop
anchor or that it was safe to leave port. The Port Smith, would raise a
green flag on a tall pole for approaching ships to see to indicate that they
were welcomed and that they could proceed to port.
The GREEN FLAG in auto racing means GO!
It is used at the beginning of practice, qualifying, or the race to start the event! The Green Flag is also used to restart the race after a caution and as an indication that the track is clear for racing. The Green Flag is also used with the Caution Flag to indicate how many more laps of caution until the Green Flag will be issued again.
The
color
YELLOW
was used as an international color for meaning that the way was not clear
and that caution should be used. Using the color Yellow for this indication
comes from early mariner ports and ships and was an indication to proceed
with caution in order to drop anchor or that it was unsafe to leave port.
The Port Smith, would raise a Yellow Flag on a tall pole for approaching
ships to see to indicate that they were welcomed but that the port was
overly busy or accessibility could be dangerous but that if they wished,
they could proceed to port with caution.
The YELLOW FLAG in auto racing means CAUTION! The track is not clear or there is danger ahead. Drivers are instructed to slow down or reduce their speed and proceed with care!
When the Yellow Flag is held stationary it is an indication that there is a problem ahead. Drivers must slow and refrain from passing. A waving yellow flag indicates immediate danger ahead. Drivers must be prepared to stop and cannot pass, although they can close the distance to the car immediately in front. Yellow Flags can indicate problems in one area of a track when waved by only one or two corner workers. A "full course caution" (or yellow) is when all flags around the track are being waved. The flagman or race director initiates this action based on what is happening on the track. This flag is primarily used to warn others about crashes!
Passing under the yellow in some series is a serious infraction and drivers may be severely penalized. When a driver is penalized for passing under yellow it is often a controversial call and may be appealed. In some racing series drivers are allowed to race back to the Yellow Flag at the flag stand and can pass before that point is reached. Although this is allowed, most series have a gentlemen’s agreement not to pass under the caution or yellow flag for safety reasons.
In some series, especially road races, there is a Yellow Flag with Red Stripes used to indicate oil on the track and is waved by corner workers to indicate a problem on a certain portion of a race track. This flag is commonly referred to as the “Oil Flag” (not pictured).
The
color
RED
was used as an international color for meaning that the way was not clear
and that one must STOP! Using the color Red for this indication comes from
early mariner ports and ships and was an indication to stay away or do not
enter the port. The Port Smith, would raise a Red Flag on a tall pole for
approaching ships to see to indicate that they were not welcomed or that
there was immediate danger in the port which would prevent them from coming
in. The color Red represents fire which was one of the first perils of
mankind, therefore it indicates death or danger!
The RED FLAG in auto racing means STOP! The track is not clear and there is danger ahead. Drivers are instructed to slow down and come to a stop as soon as possible!
When a race is "Red Flagged" it is stopped due to a condition that has made the track unsafe to proceed. These conditions can range from weather problems, mostly rain, or accidents, or maybe surface problems such as oil on the track. A red flag often means the track has been completely blocked by an accident or debris and there is no safe route through the problem. Usually a red flag is shown just after a Yellow Flag has been issued. As soon as a red flag is displayed, drivers must come to a stop as quickly and safely as possible. Each series has different rules on what drivers and teams can do to the car during a red flag stop and how the restart is handled.
The
color
WHITE
is used to indicate closure and comes from biblical days to indicate the end
of life, hence bodies were covered in white cloth at death. This color is
used in international traffic controls to indicate important information and
was adopted in the United States back in 1934 as an indication that there is
only one lap left in an event.
The WHITE FLAG is displayed when there is one lap left in the practice session, qualifying, or the race.
This indication lets the drivers know that this is their last chance to make any advancement possible before the end of the event. The White Flag is also used to indicate the half way point of an event. When used to indicate this, the White Flag is held to the pole so that it is not free and is crossed with the current flag in use, either the green or yellow and held in an X formation, one crossed over the other to indicate that half of the event is now complete.
In some areas, the white flag is used by corner workers to indicate an ambulance or slow moving vehicle is on the track. To avoid confusion, some tracks use a white flag with a red cross to indicate an ambulance is on the track or is needed.
The
color BLACK has always indicated something bad or cynical. The
pirates use a black flag as their banner to instill fear. A black cloak,
hat, or cat has always carried a mystical sense of the unknown or was used
to induce fear. Those who developed the flagging system of auto racing
wanted a flag that would draw immediate attention from the drivers and
teams, they choose Black. Black was the undisputed color to indicate to a
driver that he would have to leave a race or temporarily come in for service
or consultation for an infraction of the rules.
The BLACK FLAG is used to indicate to a particular driver that he is to go to his pit or garage area, immediately. Depending on how the flag is held, it can indicate that a driver is being warned of a potential penalty and does not have to come in, but is duly warned or that their car is displaying a mechanical malfunction, as is the case when the flag is held fixed to the pole and pointed directly at a driver as he/she approaches the flag stand. The Black Flag is also used to send a driver to his pit or garage area for consultation with his/her crew or track officials. When this is done, the flag is usually waved and the car’s number is displayed on a lighted board on the flag stand. Sometimes, the flag is first pointed at a particular driver and then waved to indicate that they must come in. If a driver is being penalized due to a rule violation, he or she would get the same indication from the flag stand. Track officials generally use radios to discuss the penalty and fines, if any. A Black Flag is not a racer’s friend unless it is shown as a means to preserve a driver’s car, which is suffering some mechanical problem, unbeknownst to the driver or crew.
In some series, a Black Flag (not pictured) with a large solid orange circle in the center is used to indicate a mechanical problem for a particular car.
The
Black and
White
Flag. This flag is used to indicate to a driver and team that he or she is
no longer being scored meaning that any further laps completed by the driver
are no longer being counted. Also known as the “No Score Flag”, this flag
is issued after a Black Flag has been ignored for a certain number of laps.
This flag can be diagonal with white over black or black with a white
diagonal stripe or X over the field of black.
This flag is issued because some drivers either ignore the Black Flag intentionally or fail to see it when issued. The Scorer’s of an event are in radio contact with the tower and will indicate that a driver is no longer being scored in an event.
The
Blue
and
Yellow
Flag. This flag is used to indicate to slower drivers to make way for the
leaders or to “Move over” hence it’s name, the “Move Over Flag”.
As the leaders of a race are approaching slower cars at the back of the pack, this flag is issued to the field to indicate that they are about to be overtaken or “Lapped”. This flag does not mean that the slower cars have to allow the leaders to pass but indicates that they are to hold their line and not block the oncoming cars. Sometimes, this flag is waved and then pointed to a particular driver to indicate that the officials are not happy with his driving style as the leaders are overtaking them. If a driver does not pay attention to this warning, the black flag would be issued.
The
CHECKERED
FLAG.
One of the most familiar and popular symbols used in auto racing worldwide,
the checkered flag says "Winner! This flag is waved to indicate the finish
of a racing practice, qualifying session, or a racing event and indicates
that the race is over and when issued during a race, indicates the
Winner. When the Checkered Flag is issued, it is first flown over the
leader or winner of the race and is continuously flown for all of the
participants in the race. It is common for the winner to collect the
Checkered Flag which usually has the race logo embroidered on it, as a
memento of the race and in some series, the winner is allowed to take the
Checkered Flag for a victory lap prior to going to the Winner’s Circle.
The Checkered Flag is used in over 3.4 million auto related businesses to indicate swiftness, championship service, professionalism, and numerous other accolades related to being a winner. Just look around and see all the places where the checkered flag is used.
Simply stated, the Checkered Flag is used to indicate a Champion.
Now that you know the flags and their uses, you'll better understand the messages being sent from the Official's Tower to the drivers.
James H. Jones Jr., A2Z Auto Racing ©2004
