Meaning of the Blue flag

**oldguy** · 22nd July 2009, 20:50

came across this argument between AMA, Al Ludington and racer Johnny Rock Page.

who's right?

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/...?article=37409

**xgnr** · 22nd July 2009, 21:17

Originally Posted by oldguy

came across this argument between AMA, Al Ludington and racer Johnny Rock Page.

who's right?

Check out the body language of the poor buggers that do not want to get involved... classic

**Maido** · 22nd July 2009, 21:25

I am interested to see what Dom's take on this is, seeing as how he is in the current series. Usually you see in a WSBK or Motogp race, when the blue flag comes out the riders pull off the race line.
How ever, going by their rule book

"Section 7: Race Rules And Procedures 7.14 Flags / Lights vii. Blue Flag: Indicates to a rider that they are about to be overtaken. Riders are advised to keep their line and allow the faster rider to pass. Riders disregarding this flag may be blackflagged at the discretion of AMA Pro Racing."

and what I know from various articles and this vid is that he "held his line" so therefore is in the right. However, going by what is happenning in their series at the moment it sounds like the DMG/AMA are ruling with an iron fist.

**oldguy** · 22nd July 2009, 21:37

Would have to see the incident for your self, to make a judgement, see those other peps creeping out, didn't wont anything to do with that argument.

**lostinflyz** · 22nd July 2009, 21:49

blue flag means your gonna be taken. thats about it.

a car racing a car may see three waved blue flags before they actually are in trouble. bike racing no sure.

usually it means dont try and take the corner as hard as you can but dont slow down. its a tough situation though often cause you can baulk a competitor by holding a line or cause an accident by moving off line. holding some one up is better than hitting them.

by all accounts though the johnny rock page guy seriously got in the way of hayes and yates (i think ) in the latter stages. poor spacial awareness probably but as they say, "thats racing!".

**Trudes** · 22nd July 2009, 21:53

I find the blue flag a dodgy one. The racer right at the start said he was still part of it, he was still racing. True.
I'm normally last in a race so if I get shown a blue flag I know I'm about to be lapped and the only people that will be passing me will be those that are lapping me, so I tend to try and get off the race line and get out of the way... Not always easy, but I try. However, if I am not last I tend to hold my line but make a point of trying to get out of the lapping riders way. The reason for this is I am still racing, I'm trying to hold someone off from passing me and I don't want to make it easy for them to tag onto the tail of the lapping riders and get an easy pass because I've moved off my line. I think that may have been what this guy was trying to explain, aside from the fact that that is what he'd just read the rules to have said, to hold your line but don't block. I don't know, but always love a good

**Biggles08** · 22nd July 2009, 22:15

When I was lapped at the Puke round of the nationals I was shown a blue flag...I purposely maintained my pace at about 90% and kept loose race lines to remain predictable to the riders coming up behind me...I figure, if they are fast enough to lap me, they are clever enough to pass me. I view the blue flag as an indicator that the person you hear behind you is a lapping rider, not a rider fighting for your place therefor indicating to me there is no need to defend your position by racing defensive lines....thats all....simple. People read too much into blue flags...they are there for indicative purposes only.

**steveyb** · 22nd July 2009, 22:21

Johnny is dead right from a racing and safety point of view.
The blue flag is used only, and that is only, to let a slower rider know that faster riders are approaching and therefore be prepared for them.
Do not do anything unpredicatable.
His argument in this case, if you accept that he did indeed hold his line, is sound.
The fact that the faster rider, Yates, did not go around him is entirely a normal racing situation.
All the riders accepted into the race are entitled to be there, they may be racing in their own battles for their own points etc and every rider needs to understand that. Overtaking lapped riders is simply another part of the race.

In top level racing (MotoGP, WSBK) NO ONE gets out of the way when they are in a racing situation. If they are in a clear zone (e.g. a straightaway or large long corner) and are fully aware of who is coming and have plenty of time to do it, then they do move over, REALLY EARLY.
NEVER in a racing situation.
Getting out of the way can be one of the most dangerous things you can do as you might not know how many riders are coming through, or when, or where.

From what happened during the SBK race at Laguna Seca during the MotoGP event it seems very much that the DMG crowd know very little about motorcycle racing and are actually endangering people. If you take this scene in its own context, the official actually had no arguement to counter Rock with, except to keep saying that he spoiled the show. So the important thing is the show, not the safety of riders.
Awesome.
Enjoy.

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/...?article=37236
http://www.usgpru.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7767
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/fo...d.php?t=301040

**YellowDog** · 22nd July 2009, 22:32

I hate assertive wanters like that. They want to win their arguaments by pointing and intimidating the other party.

In the days when I used to do gokart racing, a blue flag meant that you had to hold your line and not impede the line of the passing vehicle.
If you didn't obey the blue flag and pissed off more than one marshall, you got a red flag and the end of your race.

**CHOPPA** · 22nd July 2009, 22:58

Yeah have to agree steve, been trying to find it on you tube. Come accross another of aaron yates moves on a lapper, i cant understand why guys turn left before they turn right at the last minute obviously niether does he haha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBoKWno0-DU

another one i found of Dom Jones what a position to be in!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_YSn...eature=related

**k14** · 22nd July 2009, 23:38

That Leguna incident is some damn scary stuff. Pace car stopped dead just over the crest of T1 is just mindblowing. Then for the officials to try and blame the riders just makes it worse. Although watching the above video doesn't make it surprising at all if the officials are all that ignorant!

**MSTRS:Me** · 23rd July 2009, 09:05

Originally Posted by Biggles08

When I was lapped at the Puke round of the nationals I was shown a blue flag...I purposely maintained my pace at about 90% and kept loose race lines to remain predictable to the riders coming up behind me...I figure, if they are fast enough to lap me, they are clever enough to pass me. I view the blue flag as an indicator that the person you hear behind you is a lapping rider, not a rider fighting for your place therefor indicating to me there is no need to defend your position by racing defensive lines....thats all....simple. People read too much into blue flags...they are there for indicative purposes only.

Exactly right. As a marshall operating under MNZ rules, I only wave the blue flag at a rider who is about to be lapped/overtaken because that rider is significantly slower than the following bike. It means "Hold your line" and also serves as a warning so that there should be no surprise/fright when the pass occurs. A blue-flagged rider who changes line could be construed as trying to block, and will be reported/black flagged.

**Shaun S** · 23rd July 2009, 10:48

Yup - hold your line, faster rider approaching. i.e. you going to be lapped. That was the case in SA and the UK when I raced anyway.

Its a safety feature at most top level racing events.