Ok guys, here is one for you. True story, happened at NSS during the night time Enduro in June. Let me set the stage, it was dusky but more than ample light to see all flags at all stations including the start. I was working as the "logger" at race control at the time.
Safety car led the pack around and assembled them for the start and then pulled into the pits. All stations were instructed to drop the double yellow for the start and the starter had the green in his hand and was prepared to wave it start the race.
The ENTIRE field followed the safety car into the HOT pits. Safety car stopped at pit out and assumed its station in case it was needed during the race. The entire field remained in formation all the way around the track, at a slow, "get ready for the start" speed. There were NO FLAGS DISPLAYED AT ANY CORNER STATION.
The first lap was a scored lap and the field recieved a green flag when the approched the starter stand a second time.
I was about to come unglued hoping someone at the back of the pack would pull out and pass the entire field. It had been hammered into my head that the absence of a yellow flag (or red) meant that the race was on.
I fully understand a local yellow after the green has waved. For me that is a different issue that you guys have already covered quite well
FWIW, there had not been any discussion regarding number of laps before a start by the Operating Steward or Chief Steward.
So what would you have done if you had been in the pack and noticed the absence of ANY flag at ANY station as you puttered around waiting on the green?
Paul Ballance
Tennessee Valley Region (yeah it's in Alabama)
ITS '72
1972 240Z
"Experience is what you get when you're expecting something else." unknown
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