This message is really for my fellow flaggers.
At recent events, I’ve heard comments on how a double-yellow situation is flagged at the corner stations, specifically, criticism that a double yellow is being displayed at a corner with an incident ALONG WITH the waving yellow flag. Some folks stated the corner should ONLY be displaying the waving yellow ... so I decided to look up the actual rule, and this is what it says:
So, in fact, waving the yellow AND displaying a double yellow is the correct way to flag the incident, according to the ICSCC Rules. If you want the station with the incident to ONLY flag the incident, then you need to change the wording of the rule.
For the sake of interest, here are other racing organization interpretation of a full course yellow:
CACC:
D. Full Course Yellow: Great danger, slow down, no passing, be prepared to get into single file behind the pace car. A full course yellow may be indicated by the displaying of doubled stationary yellow flags by each corner station. Drivers should not rely on this distinction and must exercise appropriate caution if confronted by successive stations displaying single yellow flags, either waving or stationary. Except during a full course caution, double yellow flags should not be displayed. Yellow flags should be withdrawn when the pace car lights are turned off.
SCCA:
Message from windows saying Regulations too complex to download - !!!! [I thought that was pretty funny ...]
INDY CAR:
7.2.2.2. Full Course – Standing double yellow flags displayed at all Marshal‟s posts. Waved double yellow flags will be displayed at the post with the hazard.
FIA:
40.4 When the order is given to deploy the safety car the message “SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED” will be displayed on the timing monitors and al marshall’s posts will display waved yellow flags and “SC” boards for the duration of the intervention.
At recent events, I’ve heard comments on how a double-yellow situation is flagged at the corner stations, specifically, criticism that a double yellow is being displayed at a corner with an incident ALONG WITH the waving yellow flag. Some folks stated the corner should ONLY be displaying the waving yellow ... so I decided to look up the actual rule, and this is what it says:
ICSCC:
Double Yellow: Displayed at all turn stations.Indicates full course yellow with the imminent deployment of the Pace Car during a race.
(a) Where local conditions do not allow racing to continue, the Pace Car will enter the circuit and lead the competitors around in a single file at reduced speed.
Every station around the circuit will display the double yellow flag.A waving yellow flag will be displayed previous to the incident(s).
In addition, the Starter shall display a sign reading “Pace Car” until the race is slowed behind the Pace Car.
A waving white flag will be displayed at the turn station preceding emergency vehicles and/or the Pace Car on the track, backed up with a steady white flag at the previous turn station.
No car shall pass the pace car, except when directed to pass by an Official in the Pace Car.
The Official in the Pace Car may wave cars by until the leader is behind the Pace Car.
When conditions permit, the Pace Car will exit the track and the Starter will permit the race to continue with a green flag.
All cars shall hold their position until the green flag is displayed.
Double Yellow: Displayed at all turn stations.Indicates full course yellow with the imminent deployment of the Pace Car during a race.
(a) Where local conditions do not allow racing to continue, the Pace Car will enter the circuit and lead the competitors around in a single file at reduced speed.
Every station around the circuit will display the double yellow flag.A waving yellow flag will be displayed previous to the incident(s).
In addition, the Starter shall display a sign reading “Pace Car” until the race is slowed behind the Pace Car.
A waving white flag will be displayed at the turn station preceding emergency vehicles and/or the Pace Car on the track, backed up with a steady white flag at the previous turn station.
No car shall pass the pace car, except when directed to pass by an Official in the Pace Car.
The Official in the Pace Car may wave cars by until the leader is behind the Pace Car.
When conditions permit, the Pace Car will exit the track and the Starter will permit the race to continue with a green flag.
All cars shall hold their position until the green flag is displayed.
So, in fact, waving the yellow AND displaying a double yellow is the correct way to flag the incident, according to the ICSCC Rules. If you want the station with the incident to ONLY flag the incident, then you need to change the wording of the rule.
For the sake of interest, here are other racing organization interpretation of a full course yellow:
CACC:
D. Full Course Yellow: Great danger, slow down, no passing, be prepared to get into single file behind the pace car. A full course yellow may be indicated by the displaying of doubled stationary yellow flags by each corner station. Drivers should not rely on this distinction and must exercise appropriate caution if confronted by successive stations displaying single yellow flags, either waving or stationary. Except during a full course caution, double yellow flags should not be displayed. Yellow flags should be withdrawn when the pace car lights are turned off.
SCCA:
Message from windows saying Regulations too complex to download - !!!! [I thought that was pretty funny ...]
INDY CAR:
7.2.2.2. Full Course – Standing double yellow flags displayed at all Marshal‟s posts. Waved double yellow flags will be displayed at the post with the hazard.
FIA:
40.4 When the order is given to deploy the safety car the message “SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED” will be displayed on the timing monitors and al marshall’s posts will display waved yellow flags and “SC” boards for the duration of the intervention.