Black Flag with Orange Disc (Black flag with an orange disc 40 cm in diameter) is called orange disc flag or orange ball flag etc,. This flag is displayed in case the car has a mechanical trouble that could cause a danger to himself or others. Orange disc is displayed statically with a car number board indicating the target car.
Regulations
When Black Flag with Orange Disc is displayed
Orange disc flag is displayed in case there is a danger to himself or other cars.
It can be the following cases.
- Parts of car are damaged
- Liquid leaking
- Smoke coming from the car
- The engine hood is open
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Parts of car are damaged
Orange disc flag is rarely displayed in case the body panel is dented by contact with other car.
In case a part is likely to come off from the car and is considered dangerous to other cars if the part falls onto the track, this flag is displayed.
It is applicable that in case a large part such as a bumper is being dragged, or a damaged part is fluttering and it is likely to come off immediately.
Rear light falling
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Liquid leaking
In case engine oil is flowing on the course, the track surface becomes very slippery.
Therefore, orange disc flag may be displayed for cars that have leaked oil.
However, if the amount of leaking is small, or there is a non-slippery liquid such as coolant or transmission oil, it may observe the situation.
Smoke coming from the car
Cars that emit smoke often have problems with the engine. Therefore, orange disc flag may be displayed before the engine blows. If the amount of smoke is small, it may observe the situation. If engine blows, it can cause serious danger to other cars as oil flows on the track.
The engine hood is open
If the car is running with the engine hood floating due to forgetting to attach by hood pin, it may open the hood completely by wind.
Because this may cause the driver to lose sight and cause a serious accident, orange disc flag may be displayed.
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In case of car fire in SUPER GT
In SUPER GT, if a car fire occurs, orange disc flag and car number board and “FIRE” board are displayed at the same time. In this case, the car must stop at a nearby fire station, not at the pit. The fire station is equipped with a fire car for extinguishing fire, and the location of fire station is announced on driver’s briefings.
Orange disc flag may be displayed at multiple observation posts
Orange disc flag is displayed at the observation post near the control line alike black and white flag.
However, orange disc flag may be displayed at multiple observation posts.
It is usually display orange disc flag at two or three posts. It announces the location of the observation post which is displayed orange disc flag on driver’s briefing.
Ignore orange disc flag
If you continue driving without pit in spite of being presented with an orange disc, you may be disqualified with a black flag.
If it continue to drive without entering the pit even if orange disc flag is displayed, it may be disqualified with black flag.
In Appendix H, it is stated that it must pit in on the next lap displayed orange disc flag.
However in races that radios cannot be used, the driver may overlook orange disc flag. so in case it pit in within two or three laps, it is often not considered a violation.
After repairing the trouble, it can resume driving
Even if orange disc flag is displayed, after pit in , repair the trouble, and in case the chief of technical approves, it can pit out and continue the race.
At this time, it can perform normal pit work such as changing tires at the same time.
In case it does not pit in despite the orange disc flag being displayed, it may be disqualified with black flag.
2.5.5.1 e) Black flag with an orange disc 40 cm in diameter
This flag should be used to inform the driver concerned that his car has mechanical problems likely to endanger himself or others and means that he must stop at his pit on the next lap. When the mechanical problems have been rectified to the satisfaction of the chief scrutineer, the car may rejoin the race.