Rain Flag returns to TT and MGP in 2012

[steve-e]

Praise to the ACU for the following, seems a very sensible decision (but what do I know?). To paraphrase -

"ACU Events Ltd have carried out an extensive review of the flags used at both the TT and Manx GP and consulted with a number of competitors and marshals regarding the proposed use of a rain flag. Based on giving competitors the best information possible it has been decided to re-introduce the Rain Flag in 2012 for the TT and Manx GP.

A white flag with red diagonal cross will be displayed to convey instructions to the rider that 'wet or damp patches are affecting adhesion of a particular section of the course'. "

[realroadracer]

A good thing too. I never understood why it was dropped in the first place.

[Helen Gibson]

Excellent decision. Many marshals and riders will applaud this. We may have someone listening to us.....

[kew]

A very good idea if it is to let you know that there are damp patches around the next bend but will we end up with marshals waving flags at Ramsey just because there may be a damp patch at the bungalow?

I remember arriving at the verander one foggy morning practice, I could hardly see where I was going, and I saw something moving at the left hand side of the road. As I got closer I saw that it was a marshal waving a poor visibility flag, needless to say as I am a very vigilant competitor I had noticed that I couldn't see anything a few miles earlier.

[Helen Gibson]

I must say, as a marshal, I have always had my doubts about the V flag... shown in advance of a problem, well, maybe, but IN the problem... laughable really. (Pete A may disagree..heehee... couldn't resist that one... )

[little chud]

sounds like a great idea if it makes it just that bit safer for everyone

Kew, sounds like they should also consider the bright LED signs warning of fog/rain etc as these can be seen a lot sooner than a marshal with a flag. I can feel a call to ACU events Ltd coming on.


jc

[oldbelly]

Anything that may improve safety is great but what is the difference between an oil flag and this rain flag. The rain flag wasnt around when I was at the TT but the oil (lack of adhesion flag) certainly was. If its oil or water your going to run out of adhesion , or am I missing something?

[Eddy Wright]

Yes Geoff you can drink water

[ChrisWells]

Over here they display the oil/debris flag and point it at the problem, the sky. One of these days I'm going to see that before having a HUGE moment instead of just after

[David Stewart]

Geoff,

I'm not sure whether the TT organisers intend to use it in exactly the same way, but I've dug out my notes from Moto GP & WSB. We have to brief all new, wild card or first time participants on all of the regulations for both of the above and I found it useful to explain to the riders the difference between the Lack of Adhesion Flag (oil flag) and the Rain Flag thus:-

The White Flag with Red Diagonal Cross is displayed ONLY to inform you, the rider, that there are some light drops of rain falling in the sector you are imediately about to enter. Of course you may already be aware of this, as you may have had the first few drops on your visor. The purpose of showing you this flag is two-fold.
First, we want you to know that we know that it is raining, so that you don't need to waste time effort and potential lessening of machine control in waving your arm at the sky to tell us something we are already aware of.
Secondly and probably more importantly, that it is only drops of rain and NOT a downpour. If the surface adhesion has deteriorated rapidly (or from that you have just encountered in the previous sector) the Rain Flag and the Lack of Adhesion Flag will be displayed together to warn you of this danger.

So, it is a case of mutual trust between the officials and the riders that these flags are both used and observed correctly. I think if that is the case it makes it much safer for marshals and competitors.

I would suggest the Riders Representative gets the Clerk of the Course to clarify this in both riders and marshals briefings. (with due deference to what may or may not already happen).

[oldbelly]

Thanks Dave, very well explained as usual.