So a good buddy of mine talked me into getting myself setup as a flag marshal to work races. His time up close an personal with the racers and the action sounds fantastic. I'm signed up to work the Sports Car event in Indy in August and tentatively for the COTA GP.
Anyone else on the boards involved in this? I'd love to hear any tips, tricks, and inside scoop from the Pro's so I don't show up looking like a Joe.
i haven't done it in forever, but i did work flag stations for beer money in college during NASA HPDE events at Summit and VIR. what you've been told is true; you'll get one of the best seats in the house, get to see certain parts and operations of the track that others don't (i got to hang out in Timing and Scoring, Grid, or Control Tower sometimes), and some perks as workers like free swag.
For general tips, this is coming from my experience with the organization i worked with and it may be different now, but:
remember to wear an all-white long sleeve tee without any red or yellow on it. Bring a good wide hat, strong sunscreen, and TONS of water - i mean, like, a LOT. bring earplugs and don't lose them. don't show up with a hangover, it'll be the worst day of your life...don't ask me how i know. because you're new, i'd be surprised if you aren't paired with another 1 or 2 people at the flag station so you probably won't have to handle radio work at first, the experienced guys will probably handle that. your job will most likely be to have your head on a swivel, and throw flags up.
If you do handle radio, get used to the radio protocol when addressing the control tower - i.e. "control this is corner X, crimson GTI went 4-off driver's left, re-entered track safely, standing yellow" or something to that effect. you'll learn this, but you can't just hop on the radio and say things in broad terms and you'll need to be aware you have to be brief so you don't tie up the radio channel for other workers. obviously you'll need to understand which flags mean what - single or double yellow, waving, debris flag, etc. if there's a real crash at your station be sure you know what the protocol is; when to enter track/runoff space to render aid with the firebottle or what not. if/when that happens, the adrenaline rush is intense - you might be right there, so you'll want to make sure you have the rules for your org burned into your brain.
keep your vision both up and down the track, know where your flags and bottles are, and just enjoy the show. it can be hours of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror. if you work a corner at the end of a straight you'll never get used to seeing how fast the cars slow down in the braking zone, it always looks like they're never going to make it. first lap is always a circus too, expect a lot of offs! don't forget to give the drivers a big wave with the flags on the cooldown lap, that's always fun.
Great input sir! I've done Autox and HDPE for years so have some of the experience but clearly nothing like the level of the big boy cars wheel to wheel.
I am one. Been working pro races for over a decade and a national F&C license holder.
F1 at COTA is the best F1 in the US to work. Lot of down time though. Not the constant action of a SCCA weekend. It is a really long day. The day starts at 5:30 in the marshal meeting and ends 6-7 PM once you get back on the bus to the marshal tent.
If you are working your first F1, chances are you will be intervention. The F1 flagging is a PITA IMHO but that is just me because race control really wants to control everything.
Intervention is becoming a lost art as most of the major circuits and series won't let you do it because of liability. One thing to remember is the order of safety. 1. Your safety 2. Your team's safety 3. The driver's safety 4. Saving physical items (Car, Racing Surface, Fence, Etc.) Head's up know where your escape points are and where cars are coming from. Listen to your corner captain and make sure you understand what your role is on an intervention well before the track goes green.
So many tips I can provide but I would recommend that you try everything once to see what you like. I had the most fun doing grid for SRO GT-America. Got a chance to chat with everyone. My second most favorite was part of the fire and intervention team at TMS for Nascar and Indy.
Feel free to reach out. I've trained probably over 100 new marshals over the years.
In reply to bmw88rider :
Do you know Donny Wang? He just worked Miami. I'm getting myself certified in July and Aug events at Indy. I have no issue being the newb and getting the backup type role till I'm up to speed. Would love to hear more from you on it. I'm also on FB as Michael Honcho (Shake & Bake) if you wanna chat via messenger.
Name is not ringing a bell. I usually requested overseas team mates just for the cultural immersion.
I am working Vegas this year since I have a place there. I didn't do Miami. I did the first year and was the intervention chief for the finish line station.
My normal station at COTA for GP was 12A. It's the peninsula that is the inside of 13/14. Great access to the midway and I had a key to the only AC available on track ;)
I'll reach out next week. Got a road trip I'm heading out on tonight.
It's been quite awhile for me but I've done Indy Cars, IMSA as well as other small events.
Regardless of event I always brought extra water, snacks and really comfortable (read supportive) shoes are a must.
It is a long day (usually 12hrs) but it's also really really neat. You get up close to some cool cars in a way no fan ever could.
Thanks everyone, over the moon excited about this. Kind of a bucket list thing for me. I know it will be long hot days.
84FSP said:Thanks everyone, over the moon excited about this. Kind of a bucket list thing for me. I know it will be long hot days.
Someone should worn you know about the after party..............if you think racers are crazy wait to you spend an evening with flaggers/marshals.
I'm so on board...
I didn't flag but worked tech. Got to be up close and personal to the cars, drivers, and crews. My wife worked registration. Working races is so much better than just spectating.
I did some flagging back in the early 80s (1980s). I did a few SCCA races (Willow Springs and Riverside) and got lucky I guess and flagged at the Long Beach GP F1 race (at the hairpin). They needed warm bodies. I don’t recall having an F&C license back then.
There was also an IMSA (or similar) race there too. I recall chasing after some pieces that came off of an Audi (maybe Hans Stuck). I may still have it buried in my garage somewhere.
Like Tom said, lots of water (frozen water bottles are useful), and comfortable / layered clothing. I don’t know if or what they feed you now - we got bologna sandwiches. Bring money for track food.
As mentioned before safety is a big thing. At LB I was given a crash course on safety and how the yellow and passing flaggers watch each other’ back.
It was an interesting experience and gave me more appreciation of the flaggers etc when I was racing.
In reply to 84FSP :
It's how I started. Volunteered , did the job right, paid attention. Didn't lose focus.
Then one time the Chief Steward let me take a lap in my truck, And I was hooked. Got a car ready to go wheel to wheel and got my license.
Close to 55 years ago. Still love the sport.
Love all the great stories and help folks. I just got the confirmation that I'll be a newbie marshal at F1 COTA this year!!!
Enjoy. It'll be a good time. I think COTA is the best US GP because of the concerts. It's a really good time.
Listen to Don, your specialty chief, and plan on being there Wednesday.
Lot of good peeps in that circle. If I was still in TX, I'd be working it too.
Oof Wednesday-Fly out Monday. Didn't know we were there that far ahead. Was mentally prepped (hotel booked Thurs-Mon). Not an issue - just a tweak to the not quite plan.
Wednesday Check-in. Thursday Training. Friday starts the weekend. Wednesday is not always required but you get the best gear if you check in early.
Just a top tip, If you are doing intervention, get white cotton gloves like this: white cotton gloves and thank me later. It keeps the sweat down from wearing the lineman gloves required for the hybrid systems.
In reply to bmw88rider :
Appreciated sir - it will probably depend on what flight times in from Cincy to Austin look like. Haven't seen any times yet.
One of my favorite fun pics. Just chillin at the 2017 GP watch Cars on the big screen between sessions.
HAH that is a great pic sir! Just got the final confirmation email that I'm headed to the big show in Austin. Guessing I'll be yellow flagger or intervention.
Had an awesome 2 days at Indy for the SRO Sports Car Testing Event! Learned a lot from the great USAC work team. Need to get another event in to sharpen my skills ahead of the COTA GP.
84FSP said:
Damn. End of the year, huh? I guess at least you know. I was hoping you'd be able to make it to the Challenge with us in April, though.
Getting prepped to work the COTA race! Waiting to hear my final work position as I've been moved around a number of times. Currently slated for intervention on turn 18. Looking forward to the big show.
Enjoy! Have a great time. COTA is still the best US race. Miami and LV are for the flash, COTA is for the racing. Looking a little warm but not bad. Oh and take a pair of thin pants for training day.
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