SBK Japan

Flag color	What is going on!
Yellow	The yellow flag is a standard caution. It involves either a crash or a rider on or near the track. You cannot overtake while the flag Is Flying, from the corner box it is flying to the next corner.
Green Flag	Is the all clear flag, it will usually be flying the corner boxafter a yellow to signal the circuit is clear and overtaking can commence. Be careful to wait until after the box it is flying not from when you see it!
Red flag	The track is closed, all riders must return to the pits. This means that there is a bike, rider or some debris on the track that is causing imminent danger. Riders should preceed with caution as soon as this flag is seen.
The Meatball	The black flag is also usally accompanied with a number and it is used when your bike is deemed to have a serious mechanical problem. (Leaking oil) You should immediately leave the race line and return to the pits, or course out and st
Black flag	This flag will usually be associated with a numbered board and is used to announce penalties in races, and requires that the numbered rider return to the pits. For a ride through penalty. On track days it may be used when a problem is detected on your bike or you are deemed to be riding in a dangerous manner. (Too slow, too fast etc) either way its bad and it means back to the pits with you!
Chequer Flag	The race or session has ended. If you are going particularly slow and are about to be lapped it can be flown with an accompanying Blue flag and that designates that the race winner is right up your ass but you still have a lap to complete.

Flag color	What it means for you!
Japan	Japans flag sometimes used to start races.
Blue Flag	You are about to be overtaken by faster riders. In race situations you should stay off the line on the exit to the corner and allow the race leaders to pass, but don't do anything to sudden!
White flag	This flag designates that there isn ambulance on the track ahead. It operates the same as a yellow flag.
Yellow and Red stripes	The surface is slippery. It can be from rain, or oil. With oil it will fly for the duration of the race/ session for rain it will only be used as the track conditions change. The same goes for the White and red. It is used when rain starts to fall.
Black and White	This one usually accompanies the Blue one. And is used to warn faster riders of slower riders ahead. It will also be flown to let you know that there may be a rider with trouble heading back to the pits at a very slow pace.

NOTES:

1) Flags are there for all riders, and track workers safety so learn them and obey them. Because failure to can result in serious injury. There sole purpose is to relay important information to you as a rider about what is happening in front and behind you.

2) Some track use the meatball and the Black in different ways, ie a reverse order. Be sure to check your race regulations before hitting the track and learn the subtle differences between tracks.

3) Getting the meatball in a race usually means a ride through penalty, It will be shown at the start finnish and possibly at another place on the track (Motegi will also show it on the Start finnish on the Back straight) From when you see it you have 3 laps to do your ride through penalty, which involves pitting, to a designated area. Stopping and then going again.

It can be dished out for a Jump start (Moving the bike while the red light is showing on the grid), starting from the wrong grid.

Flag offences will usually be dealt with after the race and involve some sort of hearing in race control. Race control can issue a variety of penalties for ignoring flags depending on their judgement of flagrancy of the offence. usually ranging from a period of time up to 1 lap. Of course if you behave irresponsibly while any of the biggies are flying (red, yellow) you may find yourself disqualified.

Flag experiences

• I knew a racer who was getting lapped right at the end of the race, he failed to realise the blue flag was for him, He pitted with everyone else and ended up the race 1 lap short and was given a DNF
• I was racing at Tsukuba, I was battling for the lead coming onto victory straight, I was a matter of centimeters from the race leaders tail lining him up for the pass, i pulled out and went past him and into the lead. Tsukuba circuit has the victory post on the inside of the track there and you dont get a lot of time to see it especially when you are lining someone up like i was. It turned out that there was a yellow flag flying that I missed by meters. I proceeded to the finnish to take honours only to be called into race control and relegated into second. I was lucky to not get a 1 lap penalty.
• I have seen a rider crash into an Ambulance at Tsukuba, He plainly did not notice the flag flying came round the corner, acquired his target, then low sided when he realised he was now driving straight at the ambulance.
• For those new circuit riders, please be very careful of your actions when you get shown the Blue flag. Do not do anything sudden, Don't change your line suddenly. It is the overtaking riders responsibility to overtake cleanly. That said you should ride in a way to leave room on both the outside and inside of you. It is (IMHO) to be using the whole track when running at a slow pace, especially at circuits where riders are not graded. Experienced riders will often have very little time for slower riders who ride in this manner and that will be shown in their passes.