The 2008 Racing season has kicked off in full force around the North Texas
area. "How do you know that?", I hear from back of the room...
'Cause the phone is ringing, the racing websites are full of either praise
or concern over tracks' officiating, flagmen, or whatever... (don't you just
love it)
I started a thread on one of those websites last season about needing folks
to jump in a flagstand at a race track near you.... all it got was wisecracks
and well-wishers...
Well, this past Saturday (3/15), If I had cloned triplets, it wouldn't have
been enough!
EVERYBODY seems to have an opinion of how the flagstand should be handled,
they just don't want to do it! Well, my thought to that is, don't tell me how to
do it, till you've done it!!! Don't suggest how the new guy does it, till you've
done it! (I know, easier said than done)
As mentioned, each track has their varying descriptions as to what the
flagstand is responsible for. Each racer has different opinions as to what the
flagstand can/should do. There are many things that come from the flagstand that
are "courtesies" to the racers; half-way, five to go, two to go, White Flag, lap
traffic ahead signals, so on...
The Flagman that is responsible for his/her track really has a lot going
on. (Some think we just stand there and watch the race, some do!) Others of us
know what's happening at all points of the track. Sometimes, there are things
that keep us from giving these courtesies.
Racers, just a thought; A good flagman (I know, contradiction in terms)
does everything he/she can during any given race. Keep in mind the view from the
flagstand is different than every other persons around the racetrack. What you
see from the top of turn four is different from the middle of the front stretch.
What you see or do in your race car is totally different from the flagstand.
When you ask your starter, "why didn't you see this or that", don't compare your
view to his unless you were standing right on top of him. It is just a different
view. Most flagmen are not "out to get you".
Next;
I hear and read things that puzzle me sometimes. When that happens, I have
to tell myself that he/she that said just may not know.
"Why wasn't so-n-so put on the back when they were stopped when the yellow
came out?"
There can always be multiple different answers to get; If the car in
question stopped to avoid a caution are, most tracks will allow that car back in
their positions. Other times, it can be missed, or, the quickness of the eye
that can tell exactly when the caution came out vs. the car actually moving.
This is just another common area where judgement calls just need to be as
accurate as possible, from the view point making the call.
The more judgement calls you can leave out of a race, the better off we all
are.
You have a situation to discuss or want an opinion on, shoot me an email or
give me a call...
Tony Hernandez
