Blue Flags

Firstly sorry my post is so long but I am doing my best to be as accurate and clear as possible.

I was not going to comment on this at all but after thinking about it I feel as a member I have a right to an opinion. I am also 1 of 2 guys that have put real money into this place as well as Shane. Whether people believe it or not I do still care about RR and it pains me to see it having problems.

Basic Driving standards
1. It is basic racing etiquette and duty for a back marker to let the lead drivers through.
It is unforgivable for a back marker to not yield and cause an accident with the leaders.
It is also unforgivable for a leader to push a back marker out of the way
Common sense is for the back marker to do this at a place where he will lose the least time:

If back marker is not in a battle with another car
a. On a straight by lifting the throttle
b. In a corner by letting the lead car have the inside

If back marker is in a battle
This takes respect from all parties
If the lead car has a big lead and is in no real rush he should not interfere with there race but wait for a long straight. As the back markers are that close they are both in a blue flag situation so they both need to yield. The 2nd of the back markers should not overtake his rival before the lead car however if there is room to follow the lead car through that is ok. That is race craft.

If you have 2 back markers fighting and 2 lead cars fighting
The 2 back markers act as above by not overtaking his rival until the lead cars have passed the car in front but can if room follow the 2nd lead car.
It is also sensible for the 2 lead cars to pass in formation. Unless the track is wide enough then they can choose to go each side of the back marker if it is SAFE to do so
The art is to let lead drivers through with minimum effect to all

Flags
The back marker rule has been around for years and I am sure we all have seen good and bad instances etc. Blue flags otherwise known as courtesy flags were bought in to help drivers understand when lead cars are approaching them because the drivers in real life can communicate with each other. Blue flags are waved either by the marshall's discretion or the race director (yes we have all seen mistakes made so there method isnt perfect either).

My point is if drivers could communicate there wouldnt be a need for blue flags and they would probably only stay in case of radio failure.

Our situation is we so have communication between drivers and that is enough. In real life you get 3 to 4 blue flags to let the lead car through. So in my opinion a simple answer would be for the lead car to warn the back marker hes coming when he is 3 to 4 corners away. The back marker should then be starting to think where he will let him past and communicate where this should happen. ie.

Lead driver: Just letting you know Del im coming up to lap you
Del: Ok mate take the right on the next straight. (when I get to the straight I lift throttle a bit and let him through)
or
Del: Take the inside at the next corner. (I take a wider line than usual etc and let him through)

This is a simple concept and comes under basic racing standards by all. It is actually easier for us to do than in real life because we have communication we have the luxury of communicating when it happens and on which side now that's a luxury they don't have in real life which if done correctly it meens everyone loses less time.

History of RR
When we started 4 years ago we had this as a basic racing word of mouth rule which was fine when we were small as it grew it obviously either didn't get communicated properly or people ignored it because it suited them. Then in longer races we had 2/3 instances where it became a problem so I made a general post explaining the above in a seperate post as a general racing guidline on RR. In the changes over time it looks like that post has been deleted by someone (It doesn't who at this point).

My conclusion
It is always a shame to me when a rule has to be made but sometimes it is the only way to give clarification on what is expected from drivers and to stop arguments etc. I would rather not see a rule but have a fairness and respect given to each other from all drivers, with that being said I can definitely see moving forward there is an argument that says a rule would stop this happening again and would also help new drivers see something that makes it clear what is expected of them.

I have done the above many many times in the life of RR both as a back marker and as a leader and have always managed it both safely and saved time on both sides of the fence it just takes sensible communication.

In multi class race series it makes no sense to hold up or fight someone who isn't even in your class which is different again from blue flag etc but fighting with cars your not racing can cost you time and damage when it all goes wrong.

It really is that simple guys it about all drivers being sensible and respecting others and for goodness sake communicate properly n problem solved.

As I said before I am posting this as a member only. It is based on many things real life, truth, and RR history. communication is your friend and a luxury not an enemy. I just hope people read this understand it and common sense prevails without argument.

There may well be people that feel as I gave up ownership I shouldn't post. I have a strong message for those people and that is in the history of RR every member has had a right to post a concern in a proper manner without swearing or victimising anyone and putting forward there argument and that has not changed to my knowledge.

I felt the need to post the links above just to prove im not talking some made up rubbish.

Please read those links guys. There is a ton of very helpful information besides the blue flag definitions.