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GREEN FLAG - Go!
The green flag is waved by the starter to indicate the beginning of
a race, qualifying or practice session.
It is waved after a caution to tell the drivers that the race has been restarted.
The green flag also is an indication that the course is clear of any obstacles or debris.
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YELLOW FLAG - Caution
The yellow flag is the signal for caution.
When it is held stationary it is an indication that there is a problem ahead.
Drivers must slow and refrain from passing.
A waving yellow flag indicates immediate danger ahead.
Drivers must be prepared to stop and cannot pass, although they can close the
distance to the car immediately in front.
Yellow flags can indicate problems in one area of a track when waved by only one
or two cornerworkers. A "full course caution" (or yellow) is when all flags around
the track are being waved. This is initiated by the starter.
Passing under the yellow is a serious infraction and drivers may be severely punished.
When a driver is penalized for passing under yellow it is often a controversial call
and may be appealed.
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RED FLAG - Stop!
When a race is "red flagged" it is stopped due to some condition that has made
the track unraceable.
These conditions can range from weather problems to accidents to surface problems
such as oil on the track.
A red flag often means the track has beencompletely blocked by an accident or debris
and there is no safe route through the problem.
The red flag generally is preceded by waving yellow flags.
As soon as a red flag is shown, drivers must come to a stop as quickly and safely as possible.
Each series has different rules on what drivers and teams can do during a red flag stop and
how the restart is handled.
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WHITE FLAG - Last Lap
When waved by the starter the white flag indicates that a driver is entering the last lap of
practice, qualifying or a race.
It is waved continuously to all cars following the leader until the leader approaches the finish line.
In some areas the white flag is used by cornerworkers to indicate an ambulance or slow moving vehicle
on the track.
To avoid confusion, some tracks use a white flag with red cross to indicate an ambulance is on the track
or needed.
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CHECKERED FLAG - Finish Line
One of the most familiar symbols worldwide, the checkered flag says "racing!"
It is waved by the starter to indicate the finish of the race, practice session, or qualifying run.
The checkered flag is waved for all finishers.
The race winner usually collects a checkered flag for a victory lap around the track.
In many race series the checkered flag has the race logo embroidered on the flag and it is given to the
winner as a memento.
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BLACK FLAG (Infraction)
Drivers hate being "black flagged" because it always means bad news.
While the use of the black flag and the black/orange flag can vary between series,
the all-black flag generally means that there has been an infraction.
The driver must bring the car to the pits on the next lap.
The flag is displayed along with a pit board listing the driver's car number. Drivers sometimes ignore
a black flag.
Doing so can result in severe penalties, including disqualification and loss of points.
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BLUE FLAG - Passing and Overtaking
The blue or passing flag has different meanings depending on how it is held and whether it is used during
practice, qualifying or racing.
Generally when it is held motionless it is an indication to a driver that there is a faster
car following closely behind, but not yet close enough for a pass.
A waving flag generally indicates that the driver is about to be overtaken and should take
care to permit the following vehicle a safe pass.
Some drivers resist moving over for an over-taking car when they feel they are racing for
position.
Controversy can follow the use of the passing flag.
Some series use a blue flag with a diagonal yellow stripe.
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YELLOW/RED FLAG - Surface Problem
Often called an "oil flag", this flag indicates there is a problem with, or change in,
the surface ahead.
This commonly means there is oil on the track. It also can mean water or another substance
causing a change in the racing surface.
The number of stripes on this flag varies (some are yellow with two red stripes) but the
meaning remains the same.
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BLACK/WHITE FLAG - Unsportsmanlike Conduct
The black and white flag is used in some series to indicate unsportsmanlike conduct.
This is typically held motionless next to a pit board with the car number on it.
The driver may be penalized when this flag is shown.
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