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Thread: Why no Blue flags?

  1. #1

    Why no Blue flags?

    Ive noticed us riders are in the most danger when getting lapped. Ive had a pretty tough season due to collisions with other riders. Why dont we use blue flags? the fast guys hate running up on a back marker and the back marker can be put in real danger when the expert passes. seems like the flags would really help. thoughts?

  2. #2
    Senior Member Kasey Lewis's Avatar
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    It's mostly about corner workers and how to track when to toss the blue flag. Some tracks we don't have a clear view of the entire track, and logistically it's going to be difficult with non full time corner workers.

  3. #3
    Administrator Walter Walker's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by edan donabella View Post
    Ive noticed us riders are in the most danger when getting lapped. Ive had a pretty tough season due to collisions with other riders. Why dont we use blue flags? the fast guys hate running up on a back marker and the back marker can be put in real danger when the expert passes. seems like the flags would really help. thoughts?
    Kasey is spot on.

    To add blue flagging is difficult to manage with professional Flag Marshals. We have volunteer flaggers that in many cases have never even been to a race before. The entire weekend is a training session for these people. Asking them to properly blue flag slower riders is a big ask.

    The second and in my opinion the bigger issue is the slower riders themselves. Most will not understand what to do when shown the blue. There are pro riders out there that have been racing for 20 years that don't get it. We can teach it in the license schools and new riders will still get it wrong. A blue flag is meant to be a warning to slower riders that faster riders are approaching. Nothing more nothing less. It does not mean slow down, look behind you, move over, or try to get out of the way. It means hold your line and leave room on the inside and outside for the faster riders to come through. If you think back to your license school you should remember that we already teach that. Slower riders should already know that they are slower riders. There are no rules against be slow. EVERYBODY has to start somewhere. Take your time hold your line and learn the craft and you'll be fine. I'm not going to make any promises that you wont be passed close and fast. That's going to happen but keep in mind the last thing that the faster rider want to do is get tangled up with a slower rider and take themselves out. HOLD YOUR LINE is the best advice we can give.
    Walter Walker
    Director of Competition
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    walter@cmraracing.com
    CMRA Ex #43r
    Member since 1990
    (NOT mean and unapproachable)

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