Blue Flag and Backmarker Overtaking

[gordon]

In real racing, a slower car that is being lapped is shown the blue flag to indicate to the driver that he must move aside and let the faster car pass. As discussed after racing at one of our recent events, we would like to implement something similar with our races at FRC. Here are some thoughts on how we can do this:

The driver any faster car coming up to lap a slower car must identify the slower car's driver, the car or the car colour, followed by the words "blue flag". Examples are "Gordon blue flag", "Red car blue flag", "Cobra blue flag", "Yellow Mustang blue flag", etc. In response, the driver of the car being identified must move it to the next lane at the earliest opportunity to allow the lapping car by.

Ideally, the inside lane should be used for lapping a slower car and the car being lapped should move to the outside lane to allow this. However, at times it may be more practical to just change lane to let the lapping car by, regardless of which lane the slower car is in. Although not a rule, its generally a good idea for a slower car being approached by a faster one which is about to lap it to move to the outside lane.

Of course, there needs to be a penalty for an intentional false blue flag call as well as one for ignoring a legitimate blue flag call. My initial thoughts are to immediately demote either offender to last place, regardless of where he finally finishes. But what if it is a genuine error?

We need to come up with the best solution, so let's hear your thoughts on this.

[steveaca]

I think the blue flag idea has merit in the case of a lapping car being blocked by a slower car. The issue however, is in the implementation. Two questions that come to mind are as follows:
-If two faster cars are racing side by side and come up on a slower car, the slower car would only be blocking one, who makes the call as to which of the faster cars would then be blocked ?
-How can a driver during a race know with certainty that cars approaching from behind are about to lap him ? I think the blue flag would be appropriate in the case of a car being about to lap another but shouldn't really be applied it the case of cars racing for position. There have been many instances of slower cars winning races due to their not de-slotting as often as faster cars and to now require them to move over any time a faster car is behind them would not be fair.
Looking forward to hearing the thoughts of others on this.
Steve

[steveaca]

Further to my previous post, I think that in many cases, not only is the driver of the slower car unsure about whether the car behind is really about to lap him, the driver of the faster car is also unsure of his relative position on track. Many times at FRC, we have had instances of drivers thinking they had won the race only to find out otherwise when the results come up. Really, I think that once there is a clear lane available, cars which are significantly faster than others should be able to find a way around. The real problem arises when there are two slower cars racing side by side and there is no free lane to overtake. Now that is a problem !

[gordon]

Further to my previous post, I think that in many cases, not only is the driver of the slower car unsure about whether the car behind is really about to lap him, the driver of the faster car is also unsure of his relative position on track. Many times at FRC, we have had instances of drivers thinking they had won the race only to find out otherwise when the results come up. Really, I think that once there is a clear lane available, cars which are significantly faster than others should be able to find a way around. The real problem arises when there are two slower cars racing side by side and there is no free lane to overtake. Now that is a problem !

I fully agree with Steve's full paragraph above. We've been racing digital for longer and more often than any others in the region and we know how to get around slow traffic. Sometimes things work for you, sometimes against, but that's racing. The last point about two slower cars is the real problem and we've seen this actually used as a strategy to keep someone back intentionally. Maybe we can come up with something to deal with this type of situation specifically.

This week we're going to be running the VS races with two groups of different-performing cars, so it will be a test of just this situation being discussed.