Posts
1026
Joined
8/31/2006
Location
Eagle, ID
US
Edited Date/Time
1/23/2012 9:40pm
Hilarious!
Statement reads as follows:
Recent events have called into question the use of the blue flag and the expected response of riders to whom the blue flag is displayed. In order to clear up any confusion, AMA Pro Racing makes the following statement:
AMA Pro Road Racingcompetitors are professionals and are expected to be familiar with the rules and regulations found in the 2009 AMA Pro Road Racing rule book. The first page of the rule book states the following:
"The intent of a specific rule will override a competitor's interpretation of a rule. The intent of a rule will be determined by AMA Pro Racing."
The overtaking of a slower rider by a faster rider where there is no position change is a situation that must be approached from a safety standpoint, and the intent of the rule regarding the use of the blue flag is to make a potentially dangerous situation less so. Section 7.14a.vii dictates the usage of and expected response to blue flags:
vii. Blue Flag: Indicates to a rider that they are about to be overtaken. Riders are advised to keep their line and allow the faster rider to pass. Riders disregarding this flag may be black-flagged at the discretion of AMA Pro Racing.
The safety of riders is of paramount importance, and each part of the rule deals with a specific aspect of protecting both the slower and faster rider. By advising that riders keep their line, they are being asked to stay in a controlled trajectory and not make erratic changes in their course, allowing the faster rider to predict the course of travel and avoid contact with the rider being passed. The second part of the sentence says that they are to allow the faster rider to pass, intended to further diminish the threat of contact between riders.
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racingorganization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization operates and manages AMA Pro Road Racing, which includes AMA Pro American Superbike, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike, AMA Pro SuperSport and AMA Pro SunTrust Moto-GT. AMA Pro Racing also manages and works closely with the day-to-day operational organizations of the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship and the AMA Pro Supermoto Championship Series in addition to other two-wheel and ATV series. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.
The Best part of that is..
“The intent of a specific rule will override a competitor’s interpretation of a rule. The intent of a rule will be determined by AMA Pro Racing.”
Wow! So what that means, is if you follow a rule, but they don’t like the outcome, they can change it altogether? WTF?
Statement reads as follows:
Recent events have called into question the use of the blue flag and the expected response of riders to whom the blue flag is displayed. In order to clear up any confusion, AMA Pro Racing makes the following statement:
AMA Pro Road Racingcompetitors are professionals and are expected to be familiar with the rules and regulations found in the 2009 AMA Pro Road Racing rule book. The first page of the rule book states the following:
"The intent of a specific rule will override a competitor's interpretation of a rule. The intent of a rule will be determined by AMA Pro Racing."
The overtaking of a slower rider by a faster rider where there is no position change is a situation that must be approached from a safety standpoint, and the intent of the rule regarding the use of the blue flag is to make a potentially dangerous situation less so. Section 7.14a.vii dictates the usage of and expected response to blue flags:
vii. Blue Flag: Indicates to a rider that they are about to be overtaken. Riders are advised to keep their line and allow the faster rider to pass. Riders disregarding this flag may be black-flagged at the discretion of AMA Pro Racing.
The safety of riders is of paramount importance, and each part of the rule deals with a specific aspect of protecting both the slower and faster rider. By advising that riders keep their line, they are being asked to stay in a controlled trajectory and not make erratic changes in their course, allowing the faster rider to predict the course of travel and avoid contact with the rider being passed. The second part of the sentence says that they are to allow the faster rider to pass, intended to further diminish the threat of contact between riders.
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racingorganization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization operates and manages AMA Pro Road Racing, which includes AMA Pro American Superbike, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike, AMA Pro SuperSport and AMA Pro SunTrust Moto-GT. AMA Pro Racing also manages and works closely with the day-to-day operational organizations of the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship and the AMA Pro Supermoto Championship Series in addition to other two-wheel and ATV series. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.
The Best part of that is..
“The intent of a specific rule will override a competitor’s interpretation of a rule. The intent of a rule will be determined by AMA Pro Racing.”
Wow! So what that means, is if you follow a rule, but they don’t like the outcome, they can change it altogether? WTF?
"There's a race going on and you're not part of it..."
The Shop
Not trying to bash here but that is a very strange way to clarify your rules.
At least it is to me.
All racers know the situations while racing.
Sure your racing, moving forwards, trying to survive , whatever
& whoever you are, & the same goes for being in the way or a roadblock
for some. That's really what it's for. If your being lapped, or if your floundering,
it's a way to keep it real & keep it safe.
I'm on the AMA side here, why? cause all to many do not pay any mind to that
flag in question, so reminding the mindless is job 1 & a given.
Rules are to be followed across the board, regardless of who you are.
If some keep skating such, then a stern reminder is key!
Gotta keep it safe, exciting & flowing.
If the BLUE is thrown at you, there should be NO question at all as to
your next move, none!
Dave O.
Not defending AMA, but this defines it, does it not?
I definitely think they could clearify the situation if they said "hold a predictable line and allow the lapping rider to pass". When you make a rule too vague then say we get to interpret as we wish it's a problem.
Face it guys, if we'd read that the AMA had formally issued a warning or sanction to Rock for his actions we probably wouldn't be having this discussion. It was Ludington coming off like a bully in the pits that caused the problem.
The blue flag rule says to hold your line and allow the faster rider to pass. Taking the racing line means you are neither holding your line nor allowing the faster rider to pass.
If the faster rider starts to pass you on the outside of a right hand turn, he is to your left. If he does not complete the pass on that right hand turn because you were being an idiot and racing him, in order to hold your line in compliance with the rule, you must stay to his right as you enter the next left hand turn (which means you give up the preferred racing line to him by holding your own line) and allow him to pass.
It's as simple as that. All the racers that think "holding their line" means keeping the preferred racing line are wrong.
Pit Row
In construction there's a book, a National Code book, called BOCA.
If you read it, in the very first pages, it says, "Any and all codes in this book
are subject to local authority interpretation."
In other words, this book is bullshit.
Just like "7.14.vii" is.
Haven't seen it, but your explanation is usually the issue when someone wants to be pissed about the lapper flag.
Funny, none of the complainers answered my question as to how they think it should be.
I don't see this sort of debate happening in MotoGP, in fact if you watch Donington both Casey and Stoner handled getting lapped in a safe and professional manner. I don't know what they do to avoid this, but they do seem to put more emphasis on the rider slowing down to let others pass. MotoGP Flag Rules I also think there is more rider parity than in AMA roadracing and mx, but there is less than 20 on the line most of the time.
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