President's Note
Welcome to the
Victorian Flagmarshalling Team (VFT) web site, and home to a dedicated
bunch of volunteer motor racing officials, better know as the
"flaggies".
The VFT was
formed in 1985 by a few officials who saw a need to provide a specialized
team of flag marshals to work at racetracks in
The main role of
flag marshals at a motor racing event is to provide information to the
drivers of race vehicles about the condition of the race track, and to pass
commands to them from race control. This information includes, "danger ahead", "oil spill" or "slippery surface", "watch your mirrors, you are
being passed", and "your car has a problem, return to pit lane", as well as
many other items critical to driver safety and fair conduct of a race
meeting.
Flags are still
used to pass this information to drivers, despite them being rather old
technology. They are a simple, reliable, and effective method of
communicating to drivers rushing past at high speed. The flags by themselves
of course, are not enough, and a well trained team of flag marshals with
significant motor racing experience is required to manage the information
flow to the competitors. You'd be surprised how much information drivers can
get just from how vigorously you wave your arms.
But is waving
coloured bits of cloth all we do? No, far from it. Like most officials in
motor racing, flaggies are trained to be multi talented. You will see them
track side, pushing stranded cars to safe positions, putting out fires in
unfortunate race cars, talking on radios to race control, and sweeping the
race track to make it safe.
Flaggies can
expect to work long hours, work in the heat, the cold, the rain, and the
wind, but the rewards are usually worth it. From a swarm of Formula Vee's fighting for the lead,
to the noise and grunt of the Marque Sports muscle cars, to that high
pitched scream of the Formula Ones, the flaggies and other trackside
officials are out there enjoying themselves, watching some very good racing.
Next time you are
a spectator at your favourite V8
Supercar meeting, or even a local car club meeting, take a look over the
other side of the fence. Have a chat to the officials if you are close
enough. Not only are they dedicated motor sport fans like you, but they have
the best seat in the house, only metres from the action, and are often part
of it.
Other highlights
are our annual Xmas party held at Como Gardens - an exceptional social
event, and the annual Chiefs BBQ - if motorsport memorabilia is your thing
, then neither should be missed.
So, if you would
like to be part of the action instead of just watching, contact the VFT.
We’ll welcome you as part of our friendly team, and have you out there
flagging, and enjoying your motor sport even more!
VFT President
