Bonster

I'm watching the ALMS at Mid-Ohio right now (great race, btw -- turn it on if you're able!). Is it just the way the sunlight is hitting the front of the cars, or do they flash to pass? I swear, several times now I coulda swore that's what they were doing. But I've never heard of anyone doing this in racing before. Is it just the sunlight? Or do they actually flash to pass?

931guru

They do flash to pass.

This happens a lot in ALMS and GrandAm racing, where faster and slower groups are mixed together.

smlporsche

Isn't "the flash" more of a warning that the driver is comming up upon a slower car and not a mandatory "let me by" signal?

Bonster

In reference to post #3, yes, I think that's exactly what it is. One of the prototypes just did it behind a Porsche just now. I wish they'd do that in our NASA races out here. When they mix us all up, there are bound to be cars smoking past you. It can really take you by surprise!

Anyway, thanks for clearing this up for me. I thought I was seeing things for a minute there. Funny how I've never noticed until now.

JayP

Racers will use them to try to annoy and bother the racer ahead... Even cars within the same class. Anything to get the pass, right?

Bonster

Eheh . . . I have been known to tap brakes (just enough so that the lights will go on -- no friction, just lights) before the braking zone to cause the car behind me to slow down. NEVER trust brake lights!

Dale Gribble

LOL at that...very sneaky

aeshultz

I was at the race yesterday, and the Penske Syders seemed to be doing the most "flashing," especialy up the hill into the braking zone into the Keyhole. Those guys were smokin.'

Geoffrey

There is a flash module that the cars run where the push of a button will activate the flashing of the headlights.

Bonster

***Yeah, watching the yellow Penske cars was definitely a highlight, wasn't it? I saw them, one of the Audis, and one of the Acuras flash. At least it was only the cars flashing and not one of the drunken fans.

Bonster

***And now the Porsche (GT2) guys know what it's like when I bring my Spec Miata racecar to instruct at PCA events. Serioulsy, it was amazing to watch a GT Porsche get passed like it was standing still. WOW.

RSKY BIZ

Bonster-
In the ALMS there are FOUR races going on simultaneously... four classes of competition:

LMP1 (eg. Lola's), LMP2 (eg. Spyders), GT1 (Corvettes) and GT2 (eg. GT3's & Ferrari's).

The flashing is used by a car to warn a car in ANOTHER class of their intention to pass, and is to be acknowledged.
It is NOT acknowledged for cars in the SAME class, however.

Also, the blue flag with a diagonal yellow stripe is used as well to inform slower drivers of another's intention to pass.

Kim

smlporsche

Since she drives a Miata I'd bet she's seen these before !!

RSKY BIZ

RACING FLAG INFO - WIKIPEDIA



Kim

Bryan Watts

It's easier just to wire up a "radio" button on your steering wheel that activates the brake lights whenever you wish.