Finish line flagger issue.. Washougal

Shred
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7/23/2024 12:39am

I would think at this point Roger, and some other team managers, would be asking for some heads to roll.  He had to be pissed after moto 1.

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7/23/2024 3:40am

In ear communication for the flaggers, both the AMA and the locals. . 

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SEEMEFIRST
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7/23/2024 6:44am
Benhameen wrote:

In ear communication for the flaggers, both the AMA and the locals. . 

No shit!  We had comms at our little racetrack.

The white flag in somewhat excusable to me because I pretty much considered it a "courtesy" flag. No excuse for there not to be a checkered early enough to see it.

I know I bricked a few in my 15 years doing the finish line, but I was also doing caution flags, and directing other flaggers and paramedics at the same time, all while trying to keep track of leaders and laps.

This guy isn't doing all of that.

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300exc
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7/23/2024 7:59am

That was definitely not the normal finish line Flagger working Washougal.

Unacceptable performance for sure.

Not an excuse but if the regular guy is back next race he’ll not make those mistakes, stamp it!

1

The Shop

joshknapp
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7/23/2024 1:05pm
Shred wrote:
We all kind of laugh that it happened but we have massively understated the problem.  What is the problem?  The AMA has had multiple flagger incidents...

We all kind of laugh that it happened but we have massively understated the problem.  What is the problem?  The AMA has had multiple flagger incidents, ranging from local flaggers to AMA full time employees, that have led to bad injuries, penalties effecting race results and championship points, and increased risk of bad injuries.  The most susceptible time for injury to a rider is the end of a race when they are more worn out and the track is rough.  We watched the top rider in the series do an extra lap at full race pace between motos.  Thank god he wasn’t injured on that lap…. and won the second moto.  

It is difficult to deal with local flaggers that vary in ability and training….BUT….when it is the person manning the finish line, a full time AMA official, then that is a bigger problem.  We saw it in SX too(red cross).  This one the finish line flagger had a whole straight rhythm section to see the race leader, and top rider in the series WITH that red plate thingy, and was still unable to get the 2 lap board or the white flag out for the race leader.  I went back and watched it and both were pulled out AS Sexton was CROSSING the finish line.  No way a rider could be expected to see them.  The first thing shown to Chase was a late checkered as he was jumping the final rythm.  Nothing before that.  You expect the 2 lap board and the white flag….so I can see how, as you concentrate on the track, the first flag you see waived you would assume it was the white flag.  No offense to this individual but he should be moved to another AMA spot and NEVER flag again.  

AMA….. fix this….you should be sincerely embarrassed!!  Oh…and acknowledge your fuck ups and apologize.  btw…you are fined for endangering a rider.  Please send $1000 fine to Chase.

2 lap board…just being pulled out as Chase crosses the finish line (he is hidden under the leader board graphic) way too late.

IMG 0907 3.jpeg?VersionId=8b3DKJBVQEFKtsy wj.g

white flag just being pulled out…not waiving mind you…just being pulled out to start to wave it….way too late.

IMG 0909 1.jpeg?VersionId=emcjE

Chase last lap white flag while in the rythm….

IMG 0912 2.jpeg?VersionId=bxTwpsLwDAgJThiTC

….checkered still not out as as he jumps the last rhythm 

IMG 0913 0

*no stuffed animals were imprisoned for the taking of these photos

This is not the normal then finish line flagger it’s a fill in my day job boss is the flagger and he was sick so he didn’t go to the race 

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2
7/23/2024 2:30pm

Maybe our moto-media could set up an interview with the AMA to ask them about these things and get to the bottom of.............................ah, fuck it.

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Sully
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7/23/2024 4:14pm

Maybe our moto-media could set up an interview with the AMA to ask them about these things and get to the bottom of.............................ah, fuck it.

Holy shit you're annoying. 

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5
7/23/2024 4:48pm

Maybe our moto-media could set up an interview with the AMA to ask them about these things and get to the bottom of.............................ah, fuck it.

Sully wrote:

Holy shit you're annoying. 

What’s up AMA!

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4
7/23/2024 5:11pm



Maybe the lights would have helped the finish line flagger.  Maybe it’s time for motocross to have leader lights.

IMG 9970
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Sully
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7/23/2024 5:48pm

Maybe our moto-media could set up an interview with the AMA to ask them about these things and get to the bottom of.............................ah, fuck it.

Sully wrote:

Holy shit you're annoying. 

What’s up AMA!

Ssshhh, adults are talking.

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5
7/23/2024 5:59pm
Sully wrote:

Holy shit you're annoying. 

What’s up AMA!

Sully wrote:

Ssshhh, adults are talking.

”Holy shit you’re annoying” - my sister since elementary school.

Carry on with the stimulating adult convo. 

 

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7/26/2024 5:37am

Require each team to provide a spotter that can also provide flagging and assistance via radio or in person to prevent athletes from getting hurt. 

This is ridiculous to build this sport. 

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GangGreen
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7/26/2024 12:23pm
DonM wrote:
I rewatched it....he didn't see Chase and gave AP the 2 lap board then gave AP the white flag and completely missed Chase again and then...

I rewatched it....he didn't see Chase and gave AP the 2 lap board then gave AP the white flag and completely missed Chase again and then pulled the checkered flag out just as Chase was crossing the finish line...you could tell that's when he realized that Chase was the leader because he looked at him after he crossed the line....that's when he knew he screwed up

Shred wrote:
That very well could be …but that’s my point.  They totally screwed it up…and not the first time.  That reason is so absolutely no excuse.  Holy...

That very well could be …but that’s my point.  They totally screwed it up…and not the first time.  That reason is so absolutely no excuse.  Holy shit…did any fan at the track not realize Chase had made the pass??  and they don’t have access to transponders and a headset with communications!  Not to mention the trackside announcer was screaming it over the PA!  It’s almost like saying the roof had too steep of a slope…..oops…sorry…never mind…

Shred wrote:
….AND….you can see as the flagger gets the white flag out he hurries and sort of waves it at Chase as he was past.  He realized...

….AND….you can see as the flagger gets the white flag out he hurries and sort of waves it at Chase as he was past.  He realized At latest then so…..maybe wave the fuck out of the checkered early, no lapped rider was close in front,  hanging as far over the track as humanly possible???  You can’t excuse this….no matter how hard anyone tries.

Maybe the riders racing last Saturday were running shorter laps times than a normal Washougal MX Race?   

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GangGreen
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7/26/2024 12:23pm
Shred wrote:
….AND….you can see as the flagger gets the white flag out he hurries and sort of waves it at Chase as he was past.  He realized...

….AND….you can see as the flagger gets the white flag out he hurries and sort of waves it at Chase as he was past.  He realized At latest then so…..maybe wave the fuck out of the checkered early, no lapped rider was close in front,  hanging as far over the track as humanly possible???  You can’t excuse this….no matter how hard anyone tries.

Maybe the riders racing last Saturday were running shorter laps times than a normal Washougal MX Race?   

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LungButter
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7/26/2024 1:17pm

Maybe our moto-media could set up an interview with the AMA to ask them about these things and get to the bottom of.............................ah, fuck it.

Sully wrote:

Holy shit you're annoying. 

Bump.

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Sparkalounger
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7/26/2024 1:33pm

Maybe our moto-media could set up an interview with the AMA to ask them about these things and get to the bottom of.............................ah, fuck it.

Sully wrote:

Holy shit you're annoying. 

LungButter wrote:

Bump.

On the "Fly Racing Racer X" Washougal podcast Steve brought up the topic, JT and Weege shut it down FAST.  Wouldnt even discuss it.  It was waiving, Sexton messed up.

Steve kinda went, "huh... okay... moving on then".

 

So yeah, i guess its a non-issue.  Sextons fault.  /s

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Question
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7/26/2024 2:22pm Edited Date/Time 7/26/2024 2:29pm

Professional racing ? When they get a 10/20 mill claim due to something really bad then things may change. Jeez some settlements are crazy in the US for a bug in the salad, someone wrongly arrested etc... I mean this year is particularly bad and they must take care of the pro riders' safety. I don't want the privateers to pay crazy entries for the settlements eventually.

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LungButter
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7/26/2024 2:41pm
On the "Fly Racing Racer X" Washougal podcast Steve brought up the topic, JT and Weege shut it down FAST.  Wouldnt even discuss it.  It was...

On the "Fly Racing Racer X" Washougal podcast Steve brought up the topic, JT and Weege shut it down FAST.  Wouldnt even discuss it.  It was waiving, Sexton messed up.

Steve kinda went, "huh... okay... moving on then".

 

So yeah, i guess its a non-issue.  Sextons fault.  /s

I heard that too, not a great look for any of 'em.  Especially Weege.

But.... anyone here is lying to themselves if they wouldn't do the same thing in Weege's position, gotta tow the line to keep the paychecks coming.

And cue more rage about the media from @RandomUserName 🤣

1
mavrick121
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7/26/2024 4:13pm
mavrick121 wrote:
I can see that no penalties were assessed but my question is why? Why was that guy waving a Red Cross flag and why were people...

I can see that no penalties were assessed but my question is why? Why was that guy waving a Red Cross flag and why were people not penalized for jumping on it? If we’re in a situation where jumping the Red Cross flag is okay sometimes if you don’t see a downed rider then eventually you’ll have a situation where someone jumps on a Red Cross flag and lands on somebody that they didn’t see.

All that said and I’m just a guy watching on tv so I’ll happily admit I don’t know shit. I’d just like some consistency, especially with race penalties and safety. 

cwel11 wrote:
I’ll add to your question. Why was the flagger “sort of” waving the Red Cross flag? It was almost like he was trying to hide it...

I’ll add to your question. Why was the flagger “sort of” waving the Red Cross flag? It was almost like he was trying to hide it. So much so that when Sexton was in the air he had to look over to see it. I’d imagine him saying WTF to himself. If your job is to wave a flag maybe you should actually hold it up and wave it for them to see?

Sully wrote:
Just by the way he was holding the flag, my first thought was he didn't mean to have it out. Definitely a fuck up on the...

Just by the way he was holding the flag, my first thought was he didn't mean to have it out. Definitely a fuck up on the flagger's part. I fully agree with your last sentence, though. When Swoll's bike died at Southwick and he pulled over, the flagger was past the apex of the turn holding the flag below the banners (no waving at all) so no one coming around the corner could even see it until they were right on top of it. It's a good thing it was just a bike problem and not a crash.

DC addressed this Red Cross flag issue as well as the finish line flagging issue in Racerhead this week. Although the finish line event is kind of just summarized and there is no mention of how to prevent it from reoccurring. IMG 1508 0

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mb60
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7/26/2024 4:18pm

Not flagging but the AMA is so useless. Did anyone see the you tube video with Kayden Palmer at Washougal? Tech inspection and the AMA official actually said does your jersey have sleeves I hope. 

1
SPYGUY
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7/26/2024 4:30pm
Sully wrote:

Holy shit you're annoying. 

LungButter wrote:

Bump.

On the "Fly Racing Racer X" Washougal podcast Steve brought up the topic, JT and Weege shut it down FAST.  Wouldnt even discuss it.  It was...

On the "Fly Racing Racer X" Washougal podcast Steve brought up the topic, JT and Weege shut it down FAST.  Wouldnt even discuss it.  It was waiving, Sexton messed up.

Steve kinda went, "huh... okay... moving on then".

 

So yeah, i guess its a non-issue.  Sextons fault.  /s

I'm assuming that they saw the shot where the checkered flag was indeed out (they showed it again on the broadcast), not realizing that it had just been swapped at the last second.

KurtJ99
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7/26/2024 4:41pm

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Shred
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7/26/2024 5:03pm Edited Date/Time 7/26/2024 6:04pm
Sully wrote:

Holy shit you're annoying. 

LungButter wrote:

Bump.

On the "Fly Racing Racer X" Washougal podcast Steve brought up the topic, JT and Weege shut it down FAST.  Wouldnt even discuss it.  It was...

On the "Fly Racing Racer X" Washougal podcast Steve brought up the topic, JT and Weege shut it down FAST.  Wouldnt even discuss it.  It was waiving, Sexton messed up.

Steve kinda went, "huh... okay... moving on then".

 

So yeah, i guess its a non-issue.  Sextons fault.  /s

First off…if you see something with your own eyes then you can make up your own mind.  You can even disagree with Weege and JT.  Second…they are paid to carry the series/AMA weight.  Look at the pics in first post or watch the race.  They are flat out wrong, imo, to put most of it on Chase…it was the flaggers fault and anyone leading seeing, or not seeing, the same would probably do the same….but I understand why they are defending/dismissing it.  For the same reason they talk about the SMX title like it’s legitimate and not a gimmick race title.  Don’t get me wrong…I’ll watch the SMX rounds and enjoy some good racing…but any “championship “ where you can literally kick ass all year and then have a tip over at the last round and loose it….it’s a joke title.  Get rid of the double and triple points and it starts to gain some legitimacy.  Make it at least 5 rounds and it’s really close.  All jmho….take out the h….and replace the o with facts.

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4
7/27/2024 4:35am

A week later…still nothing from the AMA. 

Pelletier, I appreciate your efforts to change the narrative over the past few seasons but please, if you’re reading this; do better. 

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1
7/27/2024 7:36am
On the "Fly Racing Racer X" Washougal podcast Steve brought up the topic, JT and Weege shut it down FAST.  Wouldnt even discuss it.  It was...

On the "Fly Racing Racer X" Washougal podcast Steve brought up the topic, JT and Weege shut it down FAST.  Wouldnt even discuss it.  It was waiving, Sexton messed up.

Steve kinda went, "huh... okay... moving on then".

 

So yeah, i guess its a non-issue.  Sextons fault.  /s

LungButter wrote:
I heard that too, not a great look for any of 'em.  Especially Weege.But.... anyone here is lying to themselves if they wouldn't do the same...

I heard that too, not a great look for any of 'em.  Especially Weege.

But.... anyone here is lying to themselves if they wouldn't do the same thing in Weege's position, gotta tow the line to keep the paychecks coming.

And cue more rage about the media from @RandomUserName 🤣

Yeah. "Rage" 🙄

1

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