FIA GTs Blue Flagging

[Alan Crook]

I know on the flagging radio system there were lots of messages regarding blue flags but I would like to pass on that Pedro Lamy (who won the race)was in the pub in Silverstone after the race and thanked the marshals that were there for some excellent blue flagging.

Nice to see a winning driver and most of the Aston mechanics in the pub after the race but I`m not sure an order of 26 burger and chips was much of a celebration meal however the drink seemed to be flowing well.

[Grandslammer]

Early starts and hanging about.all good practice for the G.P! At least I managed to use my breakfast voucher on the Friday & Sunday,thanks BRSCC. The radio system had a few flaws especially with reception. Apart from being windblasted on Friday & Saturday it was a pleasant weekend of racing. (Unless you were with the Chevrolet Team).

[chezza]

Nice to hear a driver give a complement like that! Well done to Lamy and the rest of the Aston team!

We decided the pub wasn't a good idea on the Sunday...getting out of the ciruit was proving difficult.

[Alan Crook]

Originally Posted by chezza

We decided the pub wasn't a good idea on the Sunday...getting out of the ciruit was proving difficult.

With so many people in the pub getting served was also proving difficult !!!

[chezza]

We definately made the right decision then...back to the vans/tents for free beer!

I've got a piece of the Larini Chevrolet...!

[Red Baron]

Ha ha, you kept the mirror then, well done!!!

We left the circuit after delivering radios to race control and didn't get held up by traffic at all! Bizarre!

Rosie

[red5pete]

I`ll have to disagree with the blue flagging standard, yes the two Aston Martins had the Blue flag working for them, but any other GT car chasing them didn`t get a good blue flag service.

Infact I saw the worst blue flagging in my 12 years of marshalling. I understand that the blue flagger is told on a radio so this might explain the problem.

Even the commentators commented?

[Alan Crook]

Originally Posted by red5pete

I understand that the blue flagger is told on a radio so this might explain the problem.

I think at this event the blue flagging was left to the discretion of the flag marshals although periodically they were asked to look out for specific cars coming through.

Perhaps someone who was flagging would like to comment further ???

[Shelagh]

I was on race telephones and can confirm that any instructions to give blue flags were at the direction of the race director, and they were general rather than specific instructions which obviously favoured the Astons. Otherwise flagging was at the marshals' discretion.
As a flag marshal I felt this was a bit out of order but Julian did point out in his first message that he was only relaying the race director's instructions! All they were trying to do was to ensure the way was clear for the lead cars.
Mind you, the director requested blues again for cars 14 and 15 - despite having been given a report that they were ignoring them! Maybe next time you'll have to jump on the bonnet as they go past to make sure you get the message across!

[Woolley]

As far as you could see it on the highlights show, the flagging looked fine to me. Showed up on the 'Vette's in car camera at one point.

[John Newman]

Originally Posted by red5pete

Infact I saw the worst blue flagging in my 12 years of marshalling. I understand that the blue flagger is told on a radio so this might explain the problem.

I agree totally.
I was flagging at this meeting. Despite the assisance given on the radio system from my post the flagging we saw was absolutly abysmal. The post "upstream" showed only two blues during the entire race and less in qualifying, the post "downstream" only ever showed them when we did, which meant that when we left a "very early" one for them nothing happened!
As for the post after that, we only realised that it was manned when the safety car appeared in a subsequent race!!
Frankly, I was ashamed that we provided such a poor service, especially given the emphasis placed on this meeting and the "Le Mans" meeting later in the year at training day.

[Grandslammer]

What post were you on John? I was also flagging at this meeting,for the three days. Friday was a bit,hit or miss. Martyn

[John Newman]

Originally Posted by Grandslammer

What post were you on John? I was also flagging at this meeting,for the three days. Friday was a bit,hit or miss. Martyn

In order to protect the guilty, i shall not reveal that info!!!!!