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| | | Supreme Being
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| A couple of threads suggested that we hire professional flaggers at NHIS, citing reasons of safety (pros at work) and convenience (not having to stand there for a couple of hours). I looked into the topic and was surprised to find out that:We always try to get professional flaggers for our events, but usually can't get a full compliment, unless the event is on a weekend or is next to another big event, such as an SCCA race. The flaggers typically have other jobs and don't want to take one day off in the middle of the week.
I know that other organizations will run with a partial complement of professional flaggers. It has been our chapter's believe that having two "amateur" flaggers at each station (sometimes 3 or even 4) is better than professional flaggers at some stations and some stations vacant. Of course, there is room for debate, but I tend to agree  I might also point out that I've seen professional flaggers reading books and apparently snoozing. I think our driver/flaggers generally do an excellent job. I've also run at NHIS on an open track day with as few as 1 flagger (T8, the tower). I wasn't too happy about that. When I was learning, I enjoyed flagging, at least in good weather. I'd pick a turn that I wanted to work on and watch the better drivers (instructors and advanced students), as well as critique my peers. I think I learned a lot. It does definitely get old, however, when you've done it dozens of times. All said, though, I wonder if we might be able to try a bit harder to get professional flaggers. It would raise the event cost by $15-$25 per day. But then again, it might simply not be possible. |
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| | Flagging when you're just starting out is a great way to learn, but on a hot or rainy say it isn't all that great. Professional flaggers use the passing flag a ton more than amatures, which really helps to cut down on trains. Besides not having to do the work I felt the quality of driving was improved (as long as they aren't reading or sleeping). Tim
www.Bimmerfest.com |
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| | | Supreme Being
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| | +1 on the passing flag comment. Once you get used to seeing the blue flag all the time, it no longer feels like some sort of insult like you didn't notice the person behind you. All it means is "someone is closing on you". If you get the passing flag just after you've passed someone, no big deal. Assuming that we continue to use student flaggers at NHIS at least some of the time, I would support authorizing the use of the flag frequently and before the passing zone, e.g. 2B, 3, 5, 9, and 11, as well as S/F. I think a little classroom instruction on throwing the passing flag would be appropriate. |
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| As far as I can recall, com and scda had all the flaggers. I remember flaggers at 1, 2c, 3, 5, 8, 9, and 11. I don't remember seeing anyone else, but I don't remember any other stations. I don't know if we aren't trying hard enough or what, but at least some other clubs manager a full complement of flaggers at nhis.
I did like the blue flag. At the end of the COM event, they had open track for all the cars, and I was on the track with something with a name like Von Damen Formula. Whatever it was, it was the fast car on the track. They gave him a silver punch bowl at the end of the day. I got a silver espresso cup (lots of trophys at COM events). I was at 5 with nothing in sight behind me, and the flagger started waving the blue flag like it was the end of the world. I got ready, saw a yellow blur behind me, pointed by, and he dove into 6 on the inside. I had him in sight until he went over the hill into 9. Without the blue flag, he would have had to wait for me to pedal up the hill and coast down past 10. They flew the blue flag when I came up on miatas too.
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| | | Supreme Being
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| johnmdanskin (2/7/2008)
As far as I can recall, com and scda had all the flaggers.
COM typically runs Sat/Sun events, so flaggers aren't a problem. Not sure about SCDA. Your point about trying harder is well taken. |
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| | | Forum Newbie
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| | +1 on the blue flag coment. Another side effect of people hanging out blue flags is drivers will actually see the flagging stations more actively. On the other hand a driver may not be looking at the flagging stations at all in which case an instructor/event organizer can have a meaningful discussion post run ("you ignored blue flags for three laps, why?"). An important thing is to tell people the blue flag means there is/are car(s) behind you, check your six and take actions accordingly. It doesn't necessarily mean lift and give a point by. You may have passed the car behind you and be moving on. It may be someone you know well and you are taking turns running point so no actions are required. If you see the blue flag and don't know there's someone behind you, they got there for a reason. |
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| | | | | The passing flag is most crucial at turn 11 (New Hampster), that's where a slow driver can let a bunch of cars past in a short time frame. At best 1 car can go by at 5, or between 2 and 3. An astute corner worker at 11 emphatically waving the passing flag makes a *huge* difference in breaking up trains. A non-astute corner worker at 11 makes for long trains and oots of frustration.
Edited: 3/21/2008 8:07:21 PM by Anonymous |
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