[fishguy]

I support Davecarama in this thread,
what i am reading is another example of why i didnt like HPDE at all.
I had a good deal of racing experience on 2 wheels before i got into four wheeling on the track. IMO, in HPDE ~%75 of the drivers DO NOT UNDERSTAND the flags and what they mean(which was why I got out of HPDE quickly and into the race group), and they should be tested on this stuff, or reminded everytime before they go out ontrack at an event.

here is the way i was taught, and when i help at the SCCA school, this is what I repeat to the racing student(at SCCA schools, we dont teach how to drive, we teach the rules of the racetrack);

there are 2 types of flags
1)information flags
2)command flags

how about instead of me telling which is which, you (HPDE)guys think about it and answer(or not, as long as you think about it).

I would say that you need to follow the instructions given by the flaggers. they are being told what to do by the control center.

when you start deciding things, like I am exiting the track.......... you might just be getting in the way of the emergency crews.

DO WHATEVER THE FLAGGERS INSTRUCT YOU TO DO!

if they are keeping you circulating on the track, there is likely a reason for it.
in an emergency, if they COMMAND you to exit the track, or stop on track, then do so.

second guess them after the session ends and in the pits, dont make up your own rules. for all you know the safety crew is going to come out onto the track somewhere in a way you didnt expect, and your coming into the pits (and maybe the entire field following your move from confusion) will only make things worse for the guy on track who needs help9it could be you).

I race with different clubs who have different rules. NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK, WHAT ARE THE PROCEEDURES WHEN ___________ HAPPENS.
who cares if others think you are asking dumb questions, i bet more than just you could use the review. i often ask even when i know the answer just so its brought up, and we are all on the same page.

example: one club i raced with said pass on a waving yellow after you pass the incident, the other club says pass after the next flag station that does not have a command flag displayed(maybe there is more than 1 incident on the track).

I would like to see how many HPDE guys really know which flags are command flags, and which are informational flags.
I see guys doing really dumb things at times, its usually not because they are dumb, but because they dont obey the flags.
Fishguy