White flags

[Phoenix1]

I noted in the US Grand Prix a white flag being shown and was confussed as to why a white flag was being shown when it was not one lap to go. I have now checked this and found that it was to indicate slower traffic. So my question is:

What does the white flag mean in each country and should there be a new flag for slow traffic/last lap?

[blueflagger]

White flags not only vary from country to country but from series to series. In US road racing, the white flag usually indicates either a very slow moving race car or a non-racing vehicle (ambulance, tow truck, etc.) on the course. It is shown by the two stations prior to the vehicle.

One lap to go is indicated by a number board and by the starter holding up his index finger to the drivers. Oval racers use a white flag for one lap to go.

[Chris Roden]

The white flag indicates slow moving vehicle on track in the UK too and for this reason it is often, incorrectly, known as the "Ambulance" flag.
I've never seen a one lap to go sign, usually I am too busy driving and checking gauges as I pass the pits!

[Mark Mitchell]

In my 12 years of Marshalling, I've never known it be called the Ambulance Flag!! You live n learn!
Must be a driver terminology!

[Alan Green]

One thing that the white flag shouldn't be used for is to indicate a snatch vehicle is in use. It should be covered by yellow flags, or double yellows if the circuit regs require it (ie @ Croft).

Sorry, but it annoys me slightly when I see it happening.
Al.

[John Newman]

Hi.
Please refer to http://www.flag-marshal.org.uk

[Woolley]

I gather ASCAR are having difficulty because they wanted to use the white for 'last lap' and FIA won't let them, so they're having to come up with something else!

[Sheila M]

Oh dear! For years I've been telling drivers that it meant the marshals had surrendered

[thebear]

Originally posted by Alan Green
One thing that the white flag shouldn't be used for is to indicate a snatch vehicle is in use. It should be covered by yellow flags, or double yellows if the circuit regs require it (ie @ Croft). Sorry, but it annoys me slightly when I see it happening. Al.

In the US, any vehicle stopped on course rates at least a waving yellow as well as any time that ANY workers are on the `hot' side of the Armco. If said vehicle is off course a standing yellow is employed. Any slow moving vehicle including those responding to an incedent are covered with a white flag per Blueflagger's original comment. The double yellow is reserved for pace/safety car operations.

[blueflagger]

Bike racing here in the US has a white flag with a red cross on it called the Ambulance Flag. The red cross, and the term, are not used for auto racing.

Thanks for clarifying Bear. Yes, the white flag covers slow cars and rescue vehicles "in motion" on the track only. Waved yellow is used while the snatch is being performed.

[KayBee]

Originally posted by blueflagger
Bike racing here in the US has a white flag with a red cross on it called the Ambulance Flag.

For World SuperBikes and MotoGP this flag is being used as the rain flag, however, for BSB it is the Safety Car Flag.

Also in bike racing the white flag is only used for circuit traffic and not competitors although it does double as the Safety Car flag in the KRC series.

Originally posted by Phoenix1 ..should there be a new flag for slow traffic/last lap?

Bikes use a Last Lap flag: a black diagonal cross on a yellow flag and if a slower rider crossed the line just in front of the leader the blue flag is shown along with the chequered flag.

[Cedric]

The white Flag in Aussie & NZ is for SLOW moving vechiles on the black stuff including competitors limping back to there pit crew. And yes a white can change to a yellow real quite as the vechile grinds to a halt or as i have seen slide of the tilt tray and be deposited on the track.

[Chigley]

Originally posted by Woolley
I gather ASCAR are having difficulty because they wanted to use the white for 'last lap' and FIA won't let them, so they're having to come up with something else!

Chris, (ASCAR) or Days of Thunder as it is now known use a white flag with a red diagonal stripe to indicate the last lap of both the DoT and Pick-up races following the FIA observation.

It's amazing what you can do to a white flag with a bit of red tank tape c/o John Steward's team. New flag created in 2 minutes flat.