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 5/6/2007 11:32:21 PM
User is offlineracefan20007
1 posts


flagman
What was with the flagging last night? It seems to me that the safety of the drivers was not high on the flagman's list of priorities. At one point during the Young Guns race he wasn't even looking at the track for about two laps.  Instead, he appeared be argueing with the tower about what lap it was.  He also let one of those young men sit on the inside of turn two for a few laps while the others raced around him (I've seen plenty of cars go through that area, he was NOT out of harms way.)  Then there was the limited he let sit sideways b/t one and two for two and half laps.  Besides risking the saftey of that driver and others I wonder how many positions were lost because of it.  There was also the restart the started with the YELLOW flag.  This surprised me because for the entire night the green flag stayed out, even with the red lights.  I'm glad our drivers are intelligent enough to follow the lights rather than the flag.  I heard at least one driver say last night that they saw the yellow light, looked at the flagstand, saw the green, and didn't know what was going on.  I've seen flagmen make bad calls now and then, but last night was ridiculus and dangerous. It's wonder he didn't get someone seriously injured last night.  I'm sure I'm leaving a few things out, but shouldn't last night have been enough for the owners to consider hiring a new flagman.
 5/9/2007 4:17:05 AM
User is offlineracelove
1 posts


Re: flagman

I saw some things that the flagman made mistakes on, but I also know after seeing the flagmans at FTS for years be bias and inconsistent on their calls.  This is one flagman that has called the races fair and honest as he sees it.  YOu should know that flagging is not an easy job and one man can't see it all.  That's why there are people in the center helping him call.  But, I've heard more positive things than negative.  But, as far as putting anyone in harms way, I haven't seen him do it.  Maybe you should try watching the whole track and see how difficult it is.  I personally like that he doesn't throw a caution everytime someone spins out.  It's boring and there's not any real racing going on.

Keep up the good work, Flagman! 

 5/9/2007 6:15:21 PM
User is offlinecshellyishere
1 posts


Re: flagman

YES HE MAKES MISTAKES!  I am not here to bash the man, but he needs help on that tower.  Racelove you are right flagging is not easy, and one man can not see it all. THAT is why there should be two people on that flag stand, the flag man and a helper.  If you watch Nascar and go to other  tracks 95% of the time there are 2 people on the flags stand.  IF Fasttrax had that the  second could person who could help the flagman get the right flag in his hand and take up the wrong flag from flying when the YELLOW light is on. 

HARMS way yes that has happened and thankfully no problems arose from it there has been tiimes that he has waited to long to make a decision or just ignore the cars spun out because there were only a couple of laps left in the race. As far as cautions I rather see a caution than some one hurt or killed because HE thinks the car is out of danger. Boring maybe, but i would rather be bored at the track than at a funeral or hosiptal with a family member or friend.

See ya Saturday Night at the track!

 

 5/10/2007 5:10:06 AM
User is offlineLindaHorn
86 posts


Re: flagman
I agree that it makes for a longer night when cautions are called. There were a couple of caution calls Saturday night that people complained about. I heard comments such as, nobody's gonna hit him right there, or he's far enough out of the way they will go around him.... etc. Well, first of all if nobody's gonna go there where he is then why did he end up there??? I would much rather a caution be called and it delay the race a few minutes than have to watch them load ANY driver in the ambulance. Safety is the most important thing on the track. I also think it would be good to have a second person in the flag stand to help watch the entire field, but that is a decision that is strictly up to the flagman. And yes, there were a few times that a caution should have been called and it wasn't. And the flagman has been made aware of that and I'm sure he will be working a little harder each week to make sure he does the very best he can to ensure the safety of the drivers and their cars.
Life is what you make it, so take every day as if it's your last. Make all the friends you can. Forgive those who you haven't forgiven. Be the best you can be. You will be rewarded in the end.
 5/16/2007 3:49:41 PM
User is offlinedrewzilla
3 posts


Re: flagman

i was the one in the middle of the track for 2 laps.i was waiting 4 the cation but it never came.insted i went 2 laps down.also many people go trough turn 2 i have plenty of times.so no one can say no one does.

 

 

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