A Race program is available from the Race Secretary’s office for Flag Marshal’s to monitor the progress of the day’s events. Please note that racing on the Saturday will continue to the close of the track, regardless of how many races have been completed.

Lunches (in general) will be delivered to you on track, with replenishment drinks available also. If you require any additional support during the day, please let Race Control know in between races and a support vehicle will be dispatched at the earliest convenient time to assist.

FYI – General Radio Protocol

  • Radio Check – At the commencement of each days track activities, a radio check with Race Control will be conducted to ensure there are adequate comms.
    • All Flag Marshals should have their radios on once they reach their flag point for the comms check to avoid delays in commencing on racing.
  • Remember to hold the talk button for a full second before speaking (even if there is an incident on track) to ensure clear communication of the message. Hold the microphone close to your mouth and speak in a normal volume. If necessary, Race Control will advise if you need to speak a little louder or to adjust the microphone.
  • Release the button after the completion of speaking / the message.
  • Request Race Control’s attention by commencing comms with “Race Control point x” (remember the tower may not have seen what you are calling about and needs to know where you are)
  • Wait for a response from Race Control to acknowledge your call – there may be multiple activities / conversations happening in the race control tower, wait until you have confirmation of Race Control’s attention. If necessary repeat the request to speak after about 5 to 10 seconds.
  • Repeat as per point (4) and convey your message. Speak at normal speed and volume (there is no need to shout) – don’t rush the message, it is better to get it clear the first time without repeating.
  • Follow the instructions of Race Control.
  • Please note there is a slight delay with most radio systems between you pressing the button and the commencement of actual transmission, this is why each communication is commenced with the words “Race Control ….” This way if you have not allowed enough delay between pressing the button and speaking, the words missed won’t be critical.  Likewise when Race Control calls you they will say “Race Control, turn x” this way if you miss their first 2 words you will still know they are calling you.

Order of action

Warning Sirens to Riders

  • A 5 minute warning siren is used for the first event of the day and after lengthy delays. Between races riders will be are given a 2 minute, followed by a 30 second siren prior to the commencement of each event. 
  • All flag marshals should be prepared for the commencement of racing / next event.

Waved Green Flag

  • Sighting / warm up lap – A green flag is waved at the commencement of the lap at all flag points to advise the riders that the track is clear and ready for racing.  This also lets the riders know where each flag point is located.

Lack of Adhesion Flag – Red and Yellow Striped Flag

  • Prior to Race start – Indicates an issue with the track that may affect the bike’s traction. This will be identified by the Clerk of Course during a track inspection, and will be displayed in place of a green flag, usually for 2 full laps.
  • During Racing – Indicates a possible issue with the track’s condition or debris on the track that may affect the bike’s traction. Contact Race Control and relay information regarding the situation. The details will be discussed with the Clerk of course who will advise (via Race Control radio) what action to take. Follow the directions given. Advise any change of condition.

Track incident

  • When the radio Channel is ‘Clear’, activate the radio (as per the protocol above), advise:
    • The nature of the incident – i.e. crashed bike, bike stopped (mechanical) / run wide and if the rider is not moving / moving, rider up, rider resuming
    • Location of the incident – on track, off track – Rider’s left or Rider’s right, in race direction
    • Riders condition – does the rider appear to be OK, are they moving and getting up or remain lying down
  • Do not leave your flag point – Medical and or Recovery will be dispatched as necessary
  • Do not take your radio off – Race Control may require more information and or updates may be requested

Red Flag

  • Indicates there seriousness of the incident (or Medical / Recovery need to enter the track to attend to the rider and incident site) requires the race to be stopped and all riders are to slow down and return to pits in an orderly manner via Pit Entry.

Yellow Flag – Stationary

  • Warning to riders they are approaching a track hazard / incident at the next flag point. No overtaking is permitted under the yellow flag.

Yellow Flag – Waved

  • By the point immediately prior to an incident location to advise the rider the incident location is in close proximity. No overtaking is permitted under the yellow flag.

Waved Green Flag

  • Following an incident – this indicates to the rider that they have passed the track hazard and they may resume racing.

Full Course Yellow / Safety Car

  • For some incidents where the rider is not injured / bike and rider are not in an unsafe position, a Full Course Yellow may be declared with waved Yellow flags used at all points.  Safety Car will be deployed in front of the lead bike to slow down and control the field while medical and or recover attend to the incident site. This is expected to take 1 to 2 laps with the intent of resuming racing prior to the completion of the allotted race time / laps.
  • Once the safety car and all support vehicles have left the track, green flags will be used to resume racing. A Lack of Adhesion (red and yellow striped flag) may be required as above depending on the condition of the track.

White Flag

  • Indicates the condition of the track may be changing with the introduction of water. Advise Race Control if there is a change of the conditions. Note, where there is clearly full course rain a white flag will not be required and a waved green flag will indicate as above that the track is ready for racing.
  • Prior to and during racing – flags will be used where there is intermittent rain on the circuit, it may not be raining at all parts of the circuit. Advice Race Control if you are aware of rain in your area.

Last Lap Board

  • Will be displayed to the lead rider who is about to commence the last lap of the race. At the completion of the next lap the Chequered Flag will be displayed. Any Lapped riders will also be shown the last lap board and will commence their last lap.

Chequered Flag

  • Displayed to the lead rider at the completion of the last lap, and all subsequent riders who pass the start / finish line. This marks the completion of the race. Riders are required to slow down and return in an orderly manner to the pits. There should be no further racing.

Returning to the Pits / Track Clearance

  • At the completion of racing riders are required to return to the pits
    • Sydney motorsport Park – via gate at turn 4. A sign will indicate to riders.
    • Wakefield Park – via pit entry (turn 10.)
  • Once the last bike has received the chequered Flag and/or the lead bikes commence exiting the track Race Control will request a “moving bike clearance”.  At SMP this will start at turn 5 and at WP this will start at point 10.3.  This is one of the rare occasions where there is no need to say “Race Control” before speaking, for example for SMP “turn 5 clear”, “turn 6 clear” etc until the clearance has caught up to the last moving bike and then that bike is followed around until all points have cleared and the last bike has exited the circuit.
  • No other communications / request should be transmitted while the track clearance is in progress with the exception of a newly crashed bike incident.

Runner

  • A rider who fails to see the last lap board / Chequered Flag, or fails to leave the track at the designated point immediately following the completion of the race, may continue to ‘race’. This poses a danger to any race recovery activities that may be entering the track and is referred to as a “runner”.
  • If you are flag 5 at SMP or 10.3 at WP, advise Race Control you have a “runner” and the track clearance will restart.  Race Control will also warn any track officials/ recovery/ medical on track.
  • Red flags may be requested at any or all points until the runner rider’s attention has been gained.

Next Race

  • The above steps are to be repeated for each race.

Breaks

  • There will only be short breaks between races during the day, usually less than 2 minutes. Use this time to grab a snack and or drink. Remember to stay hydrated during the day.
  • If you are the only person on your flag point and require a toilet break, remember to call in “code 20” to Race Control so the next group of riders can be delayed entering the track until you are back on point. Don’t forget to let Race Control know when you are back.

Final Notes

Flag Marshals are an important part of race day – Thank you very much for agreeing to help us out.

While the above protocols will help the day to run smoothly, it is also important that you are enjoying yourself, and the racing, so let Race Control know if there are any issues or if you need anything and we will try to help out as best and as soon as we can.

Remember the riders really appreciate you being here helping out, and there’s nothing like a wave and or a clap for the riders coming back to the pits after a race. 

Thank you again for helping out. We look forward to a great day and having you join us again for our next race meet.

Kind regards

St George Motorcycle Club.