Red Flags During Practice

Joe Brittin · Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2001 5:03 am Post subject: Red Flags During Practice

What is the best procedure for returning to the pits during practice when a red flag is
waived for an accident that requires an ambulance? If the flag is seen for the first
time at the start/finish line, should you
proceed cautiously around the track back to the pits or come to a stop as soon as safely
possible and wait for a pickup. I do not
believe you should make a U-turn into the pit
exit lane and drive against the normal flow
of traffic.

Charlie Tackett · Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2001 6:28 am Post subject: Red Flags During Practice

If you can safely come to a stop befoer pit exit, then I would pull over and stop on the edge of the track. Once it is all clear I 'd allow the karts to be pushed and enter the pit at the pit exit under the supervision of race officials.

Nick Weil · Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2001 7:45 am Post subject: Red Flags During Practice

I am not sure what anyone else's interpretation of the Red Flag is, but in the SKUSA Florida Region the red flag means stop safely, IMMEDIATELY. If the red flag is displayed all karts are to safely come to a stop (hopefully raising their arm to indicate such a manuever) and await instructions from the nearest corner worker or track official. Our biggest reason is this allows E.M.T.'s to get to the scene of the problem without having to worry about karts travelling 'cautiously' back to the Finish Line. In a Red Flag situation, seconds can and often do count. The medical staff do not have time to wait for 'traffic' to come around to the pits. Once the 'incident' has been addressed then and only then can everyone begin restarting their karts. And we would most likely have them come back through the pits to be inspected.

Nick

Tim Doll · Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2001 9:30 am Post subject: Red Flags During Practice

This is one of those things best addressed in the drivers meeting. It depends on where the ambulance is located (relative to pit entrance), where the red flag(s) are displayed, etc.

Just ask the question at the drivers meeting.

Tim

Ardy Sadeghi · Joined: 06 Aug 2001 Posts: 128

In enduro racing, we typically have 2 ambulances on site (atleast we should). They are stationed in the pit lane, typically near the hot pit exit. If possible, the second ambulance is stationed at the opposite end of the track. with most enduro tracks being around 2 mi or longer and typically with about 40 to 80 karts on track, it may be best to have every one drive at a safe speed to the front straight by the start/finish line and stop at one side of the track (should be determined before hand). shut off engine. this keeps the pit lanes open. and once the traffic flow is stopped at the start/finish line, the pit exit is open for the pit ambulance to enter the track. if the second ambulance at the opposite end of the track is needed, it can enter the track once that particular corner has been cleared from traffic. at that point the race director can determine if the race is over, or a restart is scheduled. for the re-start have the karts pushed back to the starting grid.

the problem we had at gateway was that a few karts continued past start/finish under red flag and went all the way around the track. and the few of us who stopped on the front straight were directed to enter the pit exit and drive the opposite direction. and the rest were directed to enter the pitt entrance. this adds to the traffic jam and created confusion for every one and ultimately delays the ambulance delivery.
Also, the driver meeting was conducted after the practice! it may be best to have the driver's meeting before practice. this provides the opportunity for new faces to become familiar with the particular club/track procedures.

[ September 04, 2001: Message edited by: Ardy Sadeghi ]

[ September 04, 2001: Message edited by: Ardy Sadeghi ]

Phil Clements · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2001 7:16 am Post subject: Red Flags During Practice

Each track's red flag policy needs to be set for that track. What works at Charlotte may not work at RA. But, that should be given out by the race director in the driver's meeting. The big thing is that EVERYONE needs to obey that policy. As someone said earlier, in red flag situations, every second counts! If in doubt, slow down safely and pull off course as soon as possible. That's a whole lot better than running under the back of an ambulance.

Charlie Tackett · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2001 8:21 am Post subject: Red Flags During Practice

Hopefully all the corner workers are trained in the use of all flags and use them appropriately. In addition to the red flag, they should also be waving a white flag with a red cross on it in the event of a rescue vehicle on the course.

Once, at a large, popular mid-west track, the corner workers were waving the 'rescue vehicle on course' flag....but no red!! Fortunately Ted knew what the flag was for and immediately slowed way down and got his hand up and kept his eyes open, however, he said a number of drivers just blew right past him. Most likely had no idea what that flag was for!!