Introduction
This is a copy of the cornerworkers guide pamphlet which
is given out to our corner marshalls. If you are planning on working with
the U S Marshalls at an upcoming event it would be a good idea to print
out this page and familiarize yourself with its contents. If you have any
questions concerning this document, please
.
IMPORTANT NOTICE PLEASE READ!!!
All workers are hereby informed and must understand that
working at races is dangerous and may result in severe or fatal injury.
The following instructions are a guide to conduct and safety, however,
compliance with these guidelines cannot guarantee the personal safety of
any worker.
CORNERWORKING
DEFINED
-
Corner workers are responsible for maintaining the racetrack
in a safe operating condition.
-
When track conditions change, workers must inform the riders
of the problem by the use of flags and hand signals.
-
Workers aid fallen riders and clean the track of debris,
oil and motorcycles.
-
The main requirements are common sense and patience.
Safety is the concern of everyone involved at every
level of the sport. Your safety as a cornerworker is of primary importance,
as you can't keep the racetrack safe if you don't use safe practices yourself!
ALWAYS KEEP AN EYE ON ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN OUT ON THE
COURSE!
Always have an escape route in mind when you are near
traffic or on the course. Don't stay in unsafe areas.
  FLAGS 
Flagging is the most important function on the corner - it
demands the most attention, but is also the easiest to learn. The flagger
must ALWAYS stay at the flagging station while motorcycles are on the racetrack.
The flag station is usually set up on the outside of the
entrance to the turn (braking zone.) This allows an oncoming rider to make
a change before entering and gives the flagger a view of the turn and other
workers from a relatively safe location. The flagger should be standing
well away from the track edge.
 The
yellow flag should be held, ready to be displayed, but hidden from the
view of the oncoming riders. The remaining ambulance and debris flags should
be unfurled on the ground in the display area, ready to be picked up quickly.
Stationary flags are held at chest level and care is taken
that they are clearly visible to the riders and not flapping.
Waving flags are waved in a large figure - eight motion
from the shoulder, while facing oncoming traffic. It is possible to hold
two stationary flags while waving a third ( see illustration. )
Yellow
Flag - Stationary
  A
YELLOW FLAG held STATIONARY means something or someone is at the edge of
the track.
It may also be used to indicate that there is a waving
yellow flag at the next turn; for example, if the ambulance is at the next
turn or there is oil being cleaned up in the next turn.
Yellow
Flag - Waving
  YELLOW
FLAG WAVING means the track is partially blocked by an obstacle whether
people, an ambulance, motorcycle(s) or debris from a crash, oil, or combination
of these.
Riders are not allowed to pass each other from the point
at which they receive the flag
until they are past the incident.
Oil/Debris
Flag
The OIL FLAG or DEBRIS FLAG (Yellow with Red Stripes) is always held stationary
and is used to indicate oil, fuel, water or other debris 
on the track surface.
In the case of rain,the flagger may hold the flag and
point skyward.
Ambulance
Flag
The AMBULANCE FLAG (white with red cross) is used to show that the ambulance
is on the track.
The WAVING YELLOW flag is used WITH the AMBULANCE FLAG
at the turn the ambulance is in.
A STATIONARY YELLOW flag is used WITH the AMBULANCE FLAG
at the turn BEFORE the turn the ambulance is in, and TWO TURNS before the
turn the ambulance is in will display only the ambulance flag. 
This system may vary among the different corner working
groups. Some groups put the ambulance flag out all around the course whenever
the ambulance is on the track and others use it only at the turn the ambulance
is in. You must find out which is the preferred way of ambulance flagging
at the beginning of the day.
RED
FLAG
The RED FLAG WAVING means that the session or race is stopped and is used
when the track is blocked or emergency workers cannot safely assist a rider.  This
flag is held by the radio person because it must be displayed at all stations
at the same time. Again, local rules may vary as to what riders do when
they see this flag - - either stop or proceed slowly back to the pit area.
Some organizations may use this flag at only one or a few locations around
the race course.
HAND
SIGNALS
HAND SIGNALS are used to guide the riders to the side
of the track that is clear in the case of an incident or debris on the
track. Always use a pushing motion, never pulling.
Hand signals are also used to communicate between workers
as to which flags are to be displayed or taken in or can be used to communicate
numbers from worker to worker when it is necessary to overcome noise or
distance factors.
OUTPOST
Top priority for the outpost worker(s) is picking a safe
place to stay that allows you to be near the crash zone without either
being in the crash zone or having to cross the track to get to it. Next,
it is important to stay in this safe location until all the action of an
incident has stopped. This will prevent you from being a part of the incident
rather than a part of the cleanup.
The first few seconds after a crash are used to begin
your assessment of the situation and to think what you need to do: signal
for the appropriate yellow flag, debris flag if necessary... get to a position
to ascertain if the rider needs medical help... as traffic allows, move
the fallen motorcycle off the track, etc.
People who are learning this position do so by observing
more experienced people in action and by conversing with them before going
out in traffic on their own. Always keep an eye on traffic! NEVER do anything
you do not feel comfortable doing!
The main job, when not assisting a crash or cleanup, is
scrutinizing the bikes and riders for potential problems, such as:
These skills come with time and practice. Directing riders
whose motorcycles have broken to a safe area is also the responsibility
of the person(s) in the outpost position.
RADIOS
Cornerworkers communicate with "Race Control" using radios.
Be clear, concise and calm!
To call in a problem:
-
Identify turn "Turn 3 to control"
-
Wait for "Go" or "go ahead Turn 3"
-
Report your problem:
"Rider down – rider is (right/left) of the (entrance/apex/exit)
of Turn #"
Rider is (up and okay or checking or needs the ambulance)
Rider number is ... [or] 'bike nine mechanical' [or]
'bike five smoking ... left side ... on acceleration".
FLUID
CLEAN-UP
Rapid fluid cleanup and traction restoration is the goal
here. Fluid comes in different types and amounts, from tiny "nickel and
dime" sized spots to a fine spray to a few quarts (and in the case of gasoline,
gallons.)
Primary prevention is noticing bikes that are leaking
or smoking from the engine area or smoking on acceleration from the exhaust.
This will keep some of the mess off the track.
There are a number of oil cleanup products available and
each is suited for different types of spills.
For major spills, nothing can beat "diapers". These absorbent
pads can easily be tucked into your belt so they will be handy to throw
down on a spill. Each pad can hold two quarts of oil and will pick up oil
out of water. Always "blot", never "scrub" with the diapers.
After the diaper has absorbed as much as possible, and
for other thick spills, the gray colored "fluffy stuff" works very well.
This is another substance that picks up oil in preference to water. Because
of its light and fluffy texture it must be put down close to the track
surface and worked in with a broom or your feet.
Most oil spills will fall into the small drip or fine
spray catagories. These types of spills are handled with the tan-colored
100/200+ ATTAPULGITE. This is a fine grade of the substance known to most
of us as "kitty litter" and looks like flour.
Since Attapulgite is very absorbent (a little goes a long
way) it is better to dust a large area lightly than to spend a long time
sweeping up excess. Spreading a handful in a bowling motion is most effective.
After a large spill where where diapers and fluffy stuff have been used,
a fine dusting of Attapulgite will finish the job and restore traction.
Attapulgite is never to be used in the rain!
FIRES
When equipment for each turn is placed, cornerworkers must
plan where to place the fire extinguishers so that one will be readily
available when needed. When using a fire extinguisher, move around the
fire until the wind is at your back. Pull the pin from the extinguisher
and squeeze the handles, aiming the spray at the BASE of the flame.
Always put out any flame near or on the RIDER FIRST !
The first 30 to 60 seconds is the critical time when fighting fires, so
have that extinguisher handy! Be sure to watch for any re-ignition after
the fire has been (apparently) put out.
FIRST
AID
If you have training in this area, feel free to use what
you have learned. If you do not, then let common sense be your guide.
-
Stay with an injured person until help arrives, continue
to talk even if the person appears unconscious and check for breathing
and bleeding.
-
Ask simple questions: "What's your name? What day is it?
Can you move your toes?"
-
Do not let a combative rider back out into traffic.
-
Do not hesitate to call for an ambulance if there is any
question about the condition of the rider!
-
NEVER MOVE AN UNCONSCIOUS RIDER OR ONE WHO CANNOT MOVE HIMSELF!
-
Never remove a helmet unless you have received proper instruction!
EQUIPMENT
AND GENERAL NOTES: What to wear, What to Bring
Many of the tracks we handle, both in the North East and
South East are subject to wide and sudden variations in weather. The most
comfortable are those who carry supplies for intense summer sun and winter
rain and wind. Likely daytime high temperatures are 60 to 95 degrees(F),
or a cold front can result in HIGHS near 50 degrees Pre-dawn commutes to
the track may involve riding in freezing temperatures.
We've handled races that were postponed due to days of
torrential rain. Although this was an atypical system, it is common for
rain to fall, in Florida for instance, at a rate of an inch an hour during
a storm. Nothing takes the fun out of a day quite as well as a drenching
rain, so bring a good rainsuit. Remember, yellow and crimson are banned
clothing colors, since most classes will continue to run even in rain.
Be Prepared!
-Read:
Medical
Advice for Travelers (to corners at racetracks) by Hardy Kornfeld
-AND- Info for
First Timers With weather in mind here is a suggested equipment list:
* Hat (full wide brimmed is best, or
cap and havelock)
* Sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater)
* Water (some *may* be provided)
* Shoes (no open toes, boots are best
they should be sturdy and comfortable, you may be standing a lot)
* Work gloves (some *may* be provided,
bring yours)
* Whistle
* Jacket or windbreaker
* Rainsuit
* Earplugs (NRR: 29 *may* be provided)
* Belt (for radio if you are on comm)
* Backpack, fanny-pack or gear bag
* Special needs (medicine, sugar source, contact lens
cleaner etc.)
Optional accessories:
* Binoculars
* Scanner (frequencies vary from track
to track. Ask upon arrival) Daytona is 464.900 MHz, NHIS (Loudon)
is 154.570Mhz
* Cooler (please no alcohol at the
track)
* Stopwatch
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