One of the most important things to know at our driver’s education events is the flag system. This is the primary method of communication between the track marshals and drivers during a hot track. Before attending an Autosport Events track day please make sure you have a strong understanding of the below flags.
Our Favorite Flags (most common):
Green Flag - Used only by the starter at the starting line in the grid. The green flag is the only signal or permission, under any circumstances, for a driver to enter the track. A driver can never enter the track unless signaled by the starter with the green flag.
Checkered Flag - Used only by the starter at the starting line in the grid. This flag is used to indicate the groups track session is over. The driver should complete the lap at a slower speed to cool the car and the brakes and proceed to the pit area..
Other Common Flags:
Yellow Flag - The yellow flag is used to indicate there is a hazard ahead, some reason to proceed with caution. It does not mean to stop, only to slow down and proceed with caution. There are two ways the yellow flag is displayed to the driver.
Standing Yellow (not waving, held still) - The driver should exercise a large degree of caution, but continue to move on the track. The flag is displayed in this manner if there is a hazard that drivers have seen before but continues to be on the track and may continue to be there for some time, such as a car stopped ahead but off of the track.
Waving - The driver should exercise more caution, but keep moving. For example, a car has stalled on the track or is off the track in a hazardous location.
Black Flag - The black flag may be displayed open or furled; it signifies something is wrong with the car, the driver has violated track etiquette, or for some other reason, the starter wants to see the driver in the pits. The driver is to slow down, finish the lap, and enter the pits. He/she is to then see the starter to find out why he/she was black flagged.
Red Flag - This flag is displayed waving only. It may only be displayed on the call of the "Control". The red flag is more serious than the yellow and means there is an obstruction of traffic on the track and the situation is hazardous, such as fire or possible injury. The driver should stop on the track as soon as safely possible, watching for other traffic in his/her rear view mirrow. He/she should move to the shoulder or off the track if possible rather than stop in the middle of the road.
Not as common, but very important:
Passing Flag - This flag is used to alert a driver that he/she is obstructing traffic. Faster cars may be wanting to pass or the driver is not slowing enough to allow equal speed cars to pass. At the first opportunity, the driver is to allow passing in the designated passing areas.
Debris Flag - This flag indicates there is debris ahead on the track that could create a hazardous situation, such as oil, car parts, dirt, cones, etc.