New Black Flag Rules - Pass it on!

[Fitz]

Dunno how many are aware so please pass this on.

If for ANY reason you are shown a black flag this year and you have to stop, you cannot continue in the practice or race. The marshals and TM's have been told by Eddie Nelson that we are not Technical Officials and are not allowed to deem a bike fit to carry on.

Example was last night we black flagged Brian Alflatt for touring. He was actually running an engine in and was just about to wind it up after Ballacraine. Understandably Brian was a little less than happy. We did after much argument get him permission to carry on.

However if you are stopped, even for a piece of loose duct tape the rules currently stand as 'that is your session over' We all think this is a stupid rule. There are only 4 blackflag points around the course so there are only a few marshals that stand a chance of getting a smack in the mouth!

Previously we have had sidecars with dragging undertrays and we have helped cable tie them back up but we are not allowed to do this now as we cannot put out hands on our hearts and say it is 100% safe.....I kinda agree with this as I would hate to see anything nasty befall someone...especailly with anything I have had a hand in.

But to stop someone for something that is very petty like tape flapping in my mind is rediculous. Can you imagine stopping the leader and saying 'Oh you have a number peeled off you bike but it was reported something is loose....sorry you can't continue'

We are trying to get it clarified as to whether, in conjunction with the TM's we are allowed to use a little common sense and maybe things will be clearer tonight as we are bringing this up in a meeting this morning so will keep you posted.

Please think on and check/recheck your bike. The LAST thing I want to do is stop anyone. But if anyone does get stopped for something please don't punch us...we are only doing as instructed.

And please DO NOT ignore a black flag either...you WILL be disqualified.

If I find anything more out I will let you know.

[Julie1]

Yea can see what you mean that would p*ss people off just a tad. Dean Banks was stopped the other night in practice as they thought he had a flat tyre happens that he didn't, but could you imagine that in the race and then to be told you can't proceed

[Welsh Daph]

Did anyone get Black Flagged?

[Fitz]

Not that I heard

[Bob B]

Spotted two key words in all that above - 'Common Sense' A rare quality these days methinks in some quarters ...

[Jo Warriner]

Fitz, I'm only just reading this now. I'm flabbergasted, especially after what I saw happen in pitlane this TT.

[kew]

I have just thought of something,
The people who are not qualified to let us carry on if there is nothing wrong are the same people who were qualified enough to stop us in the first place.
Confused of Neath

[steve-e]

So should there be marshals that ARE qualified tech officials, would THEY be deemed fit to let a bike carry on? I bet there's more than one or two eh Daph

[Fitz]

Dear Mr Confused of Neath,

The instruction is now that say someone at the grandstand spots something that does not look right, they radio race control and tell them what they saw. RC then radio to say Crosby and ask for an observe on the bike to see if anything is wrong as reported by Grandstand. If they confirm it then RC radio Ballacraine and ask us to get you stopped which we do.

That is where that Marshals/TM's involvement now ends. If you are stopped under instruction from RC your session is done...even if it is something and nothing. Trust me though KEW, Ballacraine would miss you and get you stopped at Ballig.....you really think we want you with us?

[Welsh Daph]

Sounds as though they need to put a Tech Officer on each Marshalls post then............... a T.O.that can handle an irate crew would be handy

[rugbyfan]

Just glad we don't have a black flag

[Bob B]

Years ago (and I mean years) at Bemsee meets we used to have a TO on our corner, Riches, Maggots, Ramp Bend, Paddock Gate, Hawthorn, etc. That was someone Officially appointed to make the TEA - hence TO

[Jo Warriner]

Welsh Daph, I'm a technical official who can handle an irate crew!!!!

However, it would seem our technical opinions are no longer of any value either, so putting us at strategic points around the course would be pointless.

I can recommend one or two scrutineers I'd like to place out around the course and not at the Grandstand if anyone is interested though!

[Welsh Daph]

Thats two of us then Jo i'll go up on the 27th milestone.....good bunch of Marshals up there and a good view across Ramsey..........so that we don't have to look for loose duck-tape

[Jo Warriner]

OK, you go there, I'll stay at the grandstand with the ice cream van and a loo!