Racing Flags As Used In SVRA Vintage Racing

Most motor racing series have standardized the use of commonly used flags in order to inform and instruct drivers. SVRA separates flags into the following two categories:
– INFORMATIONAL flags used to inform drivers about the status of the race course.
– COMMAND flags used to issue commands to a driver or all drivers on track.

Informational

GREEN FLAG

flag-green-smDisplayed at Start,Finish indicates the start of the race, the beginning of a Practice or Qualifying session. Used to re-start a race following a caution period and may be displayed at Corner Stations to indicate the end of a YELLOW flag situation. SVRA racing begins as soon as the Green flag is shown. Drivers do not have to wait to cross Start/Finish to begin racing.

YELLOW FLAG

flag-yellow-smMeans CAUTION, SLOW DOWN, DO NOT PASS.

Stationary Yellow: there is some type of hazard ahead–slow down-do not pass.

Waving Yellow: there is a serious hazard ahead and the track may be blocked. Slow down, do not pass, be prepared to take evasive action or even stop. The Yellow flag may only be displayed at a single corner station. This is called a Local Yellow. Drivers cannot pass from the flag until past the area of the hazard.

Double-Yellow Flag (FULL COURSE YELLOW): displayed at all Flagging Stations on the race track. The hazardous situation requires equipment and/or personnel to help on track and possibly be in harm’s way. Do Not Pass. Competitors may carefully pass emergency vehicles and cars in distress, at non-race speed.

During SVRA Test Day, Practice or Qualifying sessions, a FULL COURSE YELLOW may be followed by a Black Flag All, requiring all cars to return to pit lane. During an SVRA Race session, the Safety Car will be deployed.

In race conditions, a common problem with many Vintage drivers is their failure to close up to the competitor in front of them during a Full Course Yellow condition. All drivers need to “pack up” to the competitor in front of them in order to provide a safe and clean restart.

WHITE FLAG

flag-white-smA slower vehicle is on the race track. It could be competitor not at race speed or an emergency or official vehicle on-track to tend a hazard on the track. The competitor may pass the emergency vehicle and disabled vehicle carefully, not at racing speed. If a Yellow Flag is also displayed, Do Not Pass. A WHITE flag, shown only at the Start/Finish, will indicate the Final Lap of the race.

BLUE/ORANGE STRIPE: (stripe may be yellow or red)

flag-blue-orange-stripe-smA faster car is approaching, check your mirrors. Do not do anything abrupt or slow down, but HOLD YOUR LINE. The car behind may be a car you are racing for position and this flag does mean you stop racing. A slower car should always give a “point-by”, signaling the faster car which side you suggest he/she should pass on. This flag is very important in Vintage racing due to differences in performance of the variety of cars.

RED/YELLOW

flag-red-yellow-smCommonly referred to as the “Oil Flag”. Slippery conditions exist on the race track or debris is present. This flag may only be shown for a lap or 2 and then removed from sight. It is then the driver’s responsibility to realize that the slippery conditions are now part of the track. If the conditions are extreme and requires clean-up, a FULL COURSE YELLOW or BLACK FLAG ALL may result.

Command

YELLOW FLAG

flag-yellow-smAn Informational Flag that is also a Command Flag. This flag tells the driver: DO NOT PASS. Drivers cannot pass from the flag until beyond the hazard.

BLACK FLAG

flag-black-smFURLED BLACK (umbrella): displayed at Start/Finish – may be pointed or shaken at a car warning a driver that he/she is doing something improper or driving in an unsafe manner. Does not have to pit. If driver continues driving in this manner, he will be given an OPEN BLACK FLAG.

OPEN BLACK: driver is to pit immediately, usually to a Black Fag Station, for consultation. Some reasons for receiving the Open Black Flag: driving in an unsafe manner, failure to follow certain procedures, passing under Yellow Flag, jumping the start, driving off pace, etc. Displayed at Start/Finish and other stations on track.

OPEN BLACK-ALL FLAG STATIONS: all cars must pit immediately at non-race speed – the session is stopped. Displayed at Start/Finish with ALL sign and other flagging stations throughout the race course.
Drivers need to acknowledge any Black Flag.

MECHANICAL

flag-mechanical-smA mechanical issue has been detected on your race car. Shown at Start/Finish and possibly other stations, reduce your speed and carefully return to the pits to Black Flag Station for information. If a Mechanical Flag is not available, an OPEN BLACK flag would be used for this purpose.
Driver must acknowledge the flag and pit under this Command flag.

RED FLAG

flag-red-smEXTREME DANGER and the session is immediately stopped. Displayed at all Flagging Stations. DO NOT PASS.

SVRA PROCEDURE UNDER RED FLAG: slow down sensibly and proceed to nearest Corner Station if possible, pull to the Corner Station side of the race track, wait for instructions from Corner Workers.
DO NOT CONTINUE ON TRACK OR RETURN TO PITS.
Once cleared, cars will return to pits under Black Flag All or Full Course Yellow, led by Safety Car.

CHECKERED FLAG

flag-checkered-smSession or race has ended. Proceed to pits sensibly. Displayed at Start/Finish and possibly other stations on the race track.
Note: during non-race sessions, cars may continue at close to race speed in order to obtain tire temperatures etc. Drivers must be alert even if the Checker is shown.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW SVRA FLAGGING PROCEDURES WILL RESULT IN PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS.