That car looks alot better than it did at the end of the race.
Photography Credit: David S. Wallens
Trouble on track? Some race officials now have another option in their toolbox: the purple flag.
ChampCar is one group that has adopted the Code 35 flag–purple in color and branded with “35” in the middle of a circle.
From ChampCar’s rulebook about this relatively new flag:
“Maintain 35 mph. No passing. Maintain interval between you and the car ahead. Used where applicable.”
ChampCar rules now also require an in-car Flagtronics FT200 unit that relays flagging info, including the Code 35 signal, to the driver. Rentals are offered.
We saw the Code 35 flag in action at ChampCar’s recent stop at Daytona International Speedway.
From trackside, it more or less resembled a black flag–less everyone coming into the pits. Basically, the cars slowed down and just circled the track, using the apron of the high banks.
The bunching usually seen during a full-course caution didn’t occur. No one raced through an open track in an effort to catch the pack. It was all rather chill.
“So, virtual safety cars do keep the flow of the race moving somewhat better than deploying a safety car,” seasoned racer Gino Manley reports from behind the wheel. “In the car,” he adds, “it can be a little challenging because it can break your rhythm and because of the size of Daytona you kind of need to keep focused because the yellow-back-to-green sequence can sneak up on you.
“It’s as boring as it looks,” he continues, “but it’s a good time to relay temps and the condition of the car back to the team.”
He adds another benefit of the Code 35: “If you know how to save fuel, it is a great opportunity to do so.”
Code 35 also emphasizes pit-to-car radio communication, he adds: “It’s all about helping your driver get ready to go back to green. It’s Code 35 to yellow to green, so being quick on the radio is critical.”
That car looks alot better than it did at the end of the race.
jmabarone said:That car looks alot better than it did at the end of the race.
Ugh, that bad?
I noticed that a friend’s car was no longer on track, so I sent a text asking what was up.
His reply: Sometimes you’re the bug.
And hope you all appreciate the photo. I didn’t grab a vest, so that was taken with the camera perched atop the new, taller-than-ever chain link fence while I used the Force to aim it. The sun more or less turned the purple flag pink.
David S. Wallens said:jmabarone said:That car looks alot better than it did at the end of the race.
Ugh, that bad?
I noticed that a friend’s car was no longer on track, so I sent a text asking what was up.
His reply: Sometimes you’re the bug.
And hope you all appreciate the photo. I didn’t grab a vest, so that was taken with the camera perched atop the new, taller-than-ever chain link fence while I used the Force to aim it. The sun more or less turned the purple flag pink.
Not TOO bad but some front end and rear end damage. I was coming into the bus stop when a car blew its engine. There was enough crap on the track to make me just go straight on around the tires. I was about halfway through when I heard screeching tires so I gunned it to get through quickly.
Race control notes said at least 6 cars involved in the incident.
In reply to jmabarone :
Ugh.
So it's a Code 60, but in imperial?
It's amusing they made the change.
jmabarone said:David S. Wallens said:jmabarone said:That car looks alot better than it did at the end of the race.
Ugh, that bad?
I noticed that a friend’s car was no longer on track, so I sent a text asking what was up.
His reply: Sometimes you’re the bug.
And hope you all appreciate the photo. I didn’t grab a vest, so that was taken with the camera perched atop the new, taller-than-ever chain link fence while I used the Force to aim it. The sun more or less turned the purple flag pink.
Not TOO bad but some front end and rear end damage. I was coming into the bus stop when a car blew its engine. There was enough crap on the track to make me just go straight on around the tires. I was about halfway through when I heard screeching tires so I gunned it to get through quickly.
Race control notes said at least 6 cars involved in the incident.
I was wondering what happened at the end of the race. That sucks.
I probably wouldn't mind the C35 as much if it wasn't employed ever 2-3 laps like it was at Daytona. That might be egregious but in my two stints I felt like I maybe got 6-7 clean laps in.
I think at Road Atlanta there was almost 4 hours of combined C35/Yellow/Red Flag time :(
In reply to DirtyBird222 :
Too much silliness on track or too eager to throw the flag(s)?
David S. Wallens said:In reply to DirtyBird222 :
Too much silliness on track or too eager to throw the flag(s)?
I think it's a combination of both. I know this process is in its infancy so it'll take some time to sort out the efficiency and nuances.
I feel like at Road Atlanta and Daytona a lot of the C35s could have just been local yellows. We got caught up in the system going purple->yellow->green->yellow early in the race and black flagged for apparently passing under yellow. I think the system is wonderful to be honest, just needs to be fleshed out.
Only tangentially related to this but worth sharing: If I’m properly reading a FB post, a college friend’s sister’s son was also driving in that Daytona race.
Guess it is better than a Code Brown. . .. . :-)
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