Late summer BEMC

Had a great time this weekend. Racing was decent, would have been better if there were more cars.
I got to work with some QE's both days. All three have great potential. Look forward to working with them again.
What's up with the lack of logbook holding marshals this year? We need more out there to help train our QE's.
I still think this weekend should still be called Indian Summer race weekend, I've talked to native people, or whatever they're being called these days, they don't mind the term Indian Summer.

Good to hear about the new blood, definitely need more people with less than grey hairs 

Interesting read from the BEMC Stewards' report: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.casc.on.ca/sites/default/files/Documents/2023%20BEMC%20LSTR%20-%20Stewards%20Report.pdf

1. We also suggest reviewing the location of the Turn 5C flagging location, as was also raised in reports in previous years. The Stewards also discussed if a light system might help in certain corners due to visibility and safe positioning of the volunteer marshals.
   1. Is this related to passing under yellow ?
   2. Not sure how much more "in your face" flags can be from 5C 
      

Anyway.... maybe a  review of flagging stations is in need, and hopefully more flaggers will join so we can have more cars or vice versa. 
 

Very good thoughts Bobby and I agree that the flagging stations could use a healthy discussion that should include input from drivers, marshals, clerks and track safety. I was also thinking lately about how few of the original marshal stands are actually used. The flagging position has changed at the majority of the stations, hence the need for us to use popups for sheltering flaggers.

1. In the past flagging positions have been determined or defined with "some" input from marshals and drivers. I am hoping that the next generation will really work collaboratively to make visibility priority, then assign the proper location.
   1. Than again LOW marshal counts seem to have determined where we can flag
   2. I still believe for example that Corner 2A's flaggers should go back to DL 
      
2. The stands are still useful, but due to radio usage we have become mobile, I like it, but CTMP (Mosport) has always been unique in where the station and flaggers are located. Not often do you have a station chief away from their flaggers.
   1. Unless you are a light operator for F1 and you are absolutely independent of the other crew members. Perfect for anti social people 
      
3. We hope that going forward we can just all work together to make the sport safer and better for everyone ✌

I think the best way to know whether our flaggers are in the best positions, is to have a video of a lap being done by a good driver, with a camera on his head and on his car.or bike. The drivers would be instructed to move their heads wherever they are looking (not just their eyes). We would have marshals at all the flagging positions, with most doing it right, but some doing it wrong, as not showing it to the driver or waving the debris flag. This would let all marshals know when and where the drivers/riders are looking when they enter the flagging area. Great for training all marshals, new or long time. Also we could put flaggers at proposed spots like 2a to see if there is a difference.

I think the best way to know whether our flaggers are in the best positions, is to have a video of a lap being done by a good driver, with a camera on his head and on his car.or bike. The drivers would be instructed to move their heads wherever they are looking (not just their eyes).

• Great idea, we need to convince the CASC-ON folks to use this approach ?
• A driver going at real speed tends to look far ahead and usually finding a route to pass. Why in most cases they miss the waving flag or even steady. Still no excuse.

We would have marshals at all the flagging positions, with most doing it right, but some doing it wrong, as not showing it to the driver or waving the debris flag.

• Should be a refresher at the start of the season, but very difficult to organize, still a good idea, back to basics / fundamentals.
• It will also help to get marshals into a car with a driver to see what the drivers see, where they look, how far, and watching the entry and exit point. Flags in most cases are viewed in peripheral vision ?

This would let all marshals know when and where the drivers/riders are looking when they enter the flagging area. Great for training all marshals, new or long time. Also we could put flaggers at proposed spots like 2a to see if there is a difference.

• For folks who do bikes, remember where you flag ?
• That is line of sight for riders.
• An open wheel driver has a different line of sight versus a closed wheel / sedan driver.
• Corner 2A's flagger used to be Driver's Left, it was only moved in the past decade or so, CASC decision if I remember correctly. Our "low" numbers also was a factor in the decision.

Keep the conversation going and maybe we can have some input / influence into the next iteration of where we flag.