Passing on a Dble Yellow Opinions, Etiquette, Rule

#1

During Sundays race something came up on a double yellow which I had not yet experienced. Here’s the scenario: When the double yellow came out, a Corvette wound up splitting another E30 and I. The Corvette driver recognized that me and the guy in front of him would likely be racing for position and kinda pulled to the right and gave me a way by signal. I thought it was extremely considerate but didn’t want to be black flagged or DQ’d for passing under yellow so I never took it. What’s the etiquette, opinion, or rules on that type situation? ( fyi we were long past the incident)

#2

dpjr wrote:

In comp school they told us to never pass under double yellow, and even mentioned a scenario similar to yours. If you get a wave by under double yellow don’t take it. If the driver giving you the point by passed you under yellow and is trying to give you your spot back don’t take it and bring it to the attention of timing and scoring after the race.

#3

Dave I wouldn’t take it. You don’t want to get dq’d for passing under yellow. I actually passed the vette after the waving yellow because he slowed so much and once I saw the double yellow I slowed and waved to him to re pass me because I thought I had passed under yellow. He waved back to me to just go ahead. Perhaps that was even the same wave you saw? It was out of his drivers side window. I think you can see this in my video, check around the 11 min mark.

#4

Yes that was it, around T7 and the back straight, he waved a couple of times (i thought at me) and was going incredibly slow, in fact i thought he was pulling off or would be pitting. I may have misread. Interesting the 2 perspectives on the same situation. Either way I guess it clears it up.
Just dont take it.

#5

assright. This has been discussed at more than one driver’s meeting. Passing under yellow isn’t cool under any circumstance. Giving it back isn’t cool either.

#6

Gasman wrote:

bingo… Tom has covered this in many meetings. Never pass under yellow. ignoring flags is a pet-peve of mine. It’s situational awareness… I’d like think we all are driving heads up out there. Maybe this issue should be added to Robert’s “2010” thread?

#7

It already has been. I said “all rules should be enforced”.

#8

Since you’re on this topic - how about this scenario:

The race has been under double yellow for several laps. Green flag drops with the back of the pack still at T10. Driver at T10 hears on the radio that the green flag dropped, and takes a pass even though T10/T11 corner stations are still displaying double yellow.

#9

Please tell me you are kidding? What does the radio have to do with a corner worker’s display?

#10

I’m guessing if the yellows were really still displayed when the green dropped, then its STILL a yellow anyway. All workers are on the radios so unless someone was slow or made a mistake in the flag/corner stand, the green was not actually out or the yellow was actually down after all. Either way if its yellow its stay…

#11

ok, how about this then;

You are right before the T11 flag station which is displaying double yellow. From the corner of your eye you see that the green flag has just been dropped at the start/stop flag station.

When do you start racing? T11 is still showing double yellow.

#12

Gasman wrote:

No, not kidding. I’ve heard both sides on this and wanted to get other opinions on it.

#13

dpjr wrote:

For this scenario let’s assume that for whatever reason the other stations didn’t have the double yellow down yet. I’m sure we all agree that they should have it down once the green is shown.

#14

When the green is thrown at start/finish the corners are supposed to have the yellow down, maybe you are not aware of that? BUT…with a big field they could have green at start finish, there could be an incident coming down the hill, yellow could be displayed under the bridge and the guy on your radio can be saying GREEN!!! GREEN!!!. So you had better be watching the flags and not just listening to your chief.

Passing in that circumstance should merit an early drive home.

Al

#15

heh…typing at the same time…

Al

#16

You are right before the T11 flag station which is displaying double yellow. From the corner of your eye you see that the green flag has just been dropped at the start/stop flag station.

When do you start racing? T11 is still showing double yellow.

IF a station has yellow you have to be past that station AND be able to see the next station with either no yellow or a green flag.

Al

#17

20.13.1 Full Course Yellow / Pace Car Procedures.
During a Full Course Yellow, in the absence of a Pace Car anywhere on course (or after
the Pace Car has pulled off the marked course), the lead car will pace (meaning steady
speed) the field. Each competitor may resume passing at any time in the absence of a
Pace Car being on course providing that they are completely past a manned flag station
not displaying any yellow flag. The presenting of a green flag is not a necessity to
“resume” [Ref:(20.13)] a practice or qualifying.

If I get a call that there is green, I will be on the throttle to initiate a pass while looking to see the yellows drop. They are usually pretty quick. If the yellows don’t drop, don’t pass. Simple.

#18

Damn Gasman, you have the shortest fuse of anybody on this board…

If the corner worker is slow and yellow is still up then you can’t pass, regardless of what is going on at start/finish. It is pretty clear cut.

#19

I agree with you 100%. What did you think I was suggesting?

#20

dpjr wrote:

[quote]Yes that was it, around T7 and the back straight, he waved a couple of times (i thought at me) and was going incredibly slow, in fact i thought he was pulling off or would be pitting. I may have misread. Interesting the 2 perspectives on the same situation. Either way I guess it clears it up.
Just dont take it.[/quote]

Hey guys! I’m the guy in the Corvette.

I slowed abruptly because the double yellow came out at Turn #6, and I had just passed a Mustang and was preparing to pass the blue Cobra, but that yellow flag spoiled that plan. I had to slow down to avoid being tagged for passing under yellow at Turn #7. As you’ll note (see video at end), the Mustang passed me under yellow but I’m sure it was because he didn’t see the yellow at Turn #6.

I was waving my hand out the window to get every one’s attention about the yellow flag. It wasn’t meant as a point-by and I’m sorry for the confusion. I figured you guys were racing each other pretty hard and I was only hoping to get your attention.

Once the E30 passed me coming out of #7, I didn’t repass him since that could disqualify me, that’s the reason I waved off the point-by.

Here’s video of that couple minute double yellow section of the race.

Here you are!

Look at about 1 or 2 seconds into the video and you’ll see the yellows displayed at the corner worker’s stand at Turn #6. Again, I figured you guys didn’t see it since y’all were engaged in your own battle.

As you’ll also see, when we were coming down the back stretch, they dropped the yellows. I saw the E30 behind me coming like a freight train and I didn’t try to take the 10A apex since I figured he needed to get ahead and chase down his competitor, who was just in front of us.

BTW, I had a ball during that Sunday race. It gives everyone a healthy respect for what each class has to endure during one of these races. No doubt, though, with all the E30 cars out there, you guys have the most fun of all.

See you at the track in 2010!