Gentle reminders (From Tim and others):
Green Flag - Go
Yellow Flag - ok, this one IS confusing. As you approach ANY flagstand, you should always check to see if a flag is displayed. IF a Yellow is displayed, you should slow down until you see the next flagstand. If the next one is Green, you can resume track speed. If IT is Yellow, then, more than likely, it's a full course Yellow which can be confirmed at the next flagstand. Bottom line, pay attention to each flagstand, they are there to keep you and the other drivers safe. I feel they didn't do a great job, they did do an adequate job.
Red Flag - This one means come to a complete stop as quickly and safely as possible to the LEFT side of the track usually and near a flagstand if possible. Point is, stop wherever you are until the flagstand turns Yellow for you to proceed.
Black Flag - This means you have a problem and you need to get to the pits at the next available opportunity. Typically, if you pass the first flagstand that displayed the black flag twice the event organizers will remove that driver from the course...maybe a session or the rest of the day, up to them.
Blue Flag, sometimes has yellow stripe - There's a race and you aren't in it. Check your mirrors because someone faster than you is behind you and should be allowed to pass.
Checkered Flag - You're done and you are now on a cool down lap. I saw several make another lap AFTER getting the checkered. Rule is, once you take the checkered, slow to a safe speed preferably not by turn 1 or 2. You should be at a speed so as you don't have to use your brakes by Turn 3, no later than 4. This way, you can ride the rest of the track all the way to the pits WITHOUT touching your brakes to cool them and enter the pit lane at the first opportunity.
Never EVER get out of your car on a hot track unless on fire or if a corner worker/flagstand worker instructs you to do so. Had your issue been so serious as a danger to yourself and others, a RED flag would have been thrown.
https://www.gatewaycobraclub.com/forums/content.php?22-Prep-for-Track-Days
General Tips
1. Locate corner workers
2. Know the flags (refer to handout)
-Start/Finish line – checked/white/black/blue flag
-Corner workers – yellow/red/white/blue
3. Know the racing line (difficult to focus on driving if you’re guessing if left or right turn)
-(Refer to handout & posted video links on the forum)
4. Hand signals - Point-bys; Coming into pits
5. Coming in to pits – check tire pressures, paint pen marks (sidewall roll over)
Driving Habits
1. Don’t follow the car in front of you (unless it’s lead-follow specific exercise)
2. 3 points to a corner (turn-in, apex (early, late), track out)
3. Accomplish majority of your braking in a straight line
-Think of your front tires capability as a % (braking & turning)
-Brake pressure map (think street stop sign vs track turn)
4. You paid for the track, use all of it
5. Faster Speed= Eyes up! = effect on steering
6. Front straight = check gauges; IMPORTANT to BREATHE!! Reset for next lap
7. Driver download (common issues, identify solutions, track conditions)
8. Hydrate
9. Breathe! Hydrate! Eyes up!