ProFormance Racing School and Pacific Raceways keep drivers in the loop through flags. At the school, in our recreational sport driving lapping sessions, we keep flagging simple, using just five basic flags.
In road racing worldwide, trackside race officials must be able to communicate with race drivers on the track to keep them safe and competitive. They do this by displaying different colored flags from strategically placed stations around the track.
Every flag has a different meaning and message. Moreover, the flags can be displayed as waving or stationary, depending on the message the officials need to get across to the drivers. All licensed racing and sport drivers must know and understand flag protocol.
Flag Colors: the language of the race track.
There’s a flag station at every turn at Pacific Raceways, providing a vantage point for track marshals to monitor the action and signal drivers. Eight stations are manned during large lapping sessions. The marshals communicate by radio, and the moment word goes out that track conditions have changed, flags come out, placing drivers instantly in the loop. The color of the flag provides the vital information.
Yellow: Reduce Speed, Prepare for possible stop or avoidance. No passing until driver can see the next turn station with no yellow flag displayed.
The first two laps of our sport driving sessions at Pacific Raceways start with two laps under a standing yellow flag. This allows drivers to warm up their brakes and tires, and orient themselves to Pacific Raceways and the school’s passing zones.
Black: A black flag displayed stationery to a single car. Exit the track at Turn 8 and report to the ProFormance building or awaiting staff at track exit.
Black flag all stations waving: All cars reduce speed, exit Turn 8 and line back up at track entrance.
Red: All cars come to an immediate controlled stop at track’s edge and as close to the nearest turn station as possible. Await further direction.
Checkered: End of session. Reduce speed, no overtaking. It is the best-known flag and the traditional symbol of racing victory.
Blue with yellow stripe: Please watch your mirrors, as other cars want to overtake you in the passing zones.
The goal: thrills with safety
The language of motorsport flags is not complex or difficult to learn, but it is vital knowledge for both sport drivers and competition drivers at all skill levels. When a flag goes out, everyone on the track has the information they need to stay safe.
Want to be a flag marshal?
Our next post on The Inside Line will give you some more information on how you can become a flag marshal and get closer to racing action than you ever dreamed possible!