Then there is Toto Roche, who probably deserves a thread of his own for his various antics with flags in France.

Tom

IIRC, Glen Dix was the Australian flag waver.

Hi Tom,

Yeah, that guy was in 50s and I've seen only few images of him. Is there a good article or site with more info?

Igor

There was also Tex Hopkins, famous for his jumping style of waving the green and checkered flags (along with his lavender suits and big cigars) for many years at Watkins Glen. You can see him in action in the following video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf6RNZ9PYFA

Then there is Toto Roche, who probably deserves a thread of his own for his various antics with flags in France.

Tom

Then there is Toto Roche, who probably deserves a thread of his own for his various antics with flags in France.

Tom

In the '74 Spanish GP finish at Jarama, I think it is Luca de Montezemolo leaping in the air, celebrating Lauda's first GP win and the first for Ferrari for nearly 2 years.

The man with the flag is some prince who was Clerk of the Course, I forget his name but he was in the prgrammes of old F1 highlights which have been on ESPN Classic regularly in the UK over the last few years.

Paul M

The man with the flag is some prince who was Clerk of the Course.

Didn't Louis Chiron at the Monaco GP perform life threatening flag dropping as well??

1962 Monaco GP start. Photo by Ted Langton-Adams, copyright Eric Faulks.

Vince H.

Vince, I just love the complete fearlessness / lack of imagination of the man! I think I would have at least stood just behind that piece of Armco.

Not a flagman, but certainly in a strange position:

http://www.racehistorie.nl/grand%20prix/gp67(2).JPG

Now that is definitely worrying. What on earth is the story behind this one?

Not a flagman, but certainly in a strange position:

http://www.racehistorie.nl/grand%20prix/gp67(2).JPG

Surely "Tex" Hopkins of the Watkins Glen was the earliest "flamboyant" chequered flag waver (and starter) in Grand Prix racing. Was he an "original" or simply carrying on an earlier flag-waving tradition from oval-track racing in the USA.

His style is very clear in my mind, but pictures are hard to find. Phil Kerr's book (To Finish First) has one (page 254), and Googling his name produces 2 mid-leap US GP photos ; one start and one finish (and also Anthony Hopkins!!). Do any Watkins Glen regulars have any pictures?

Now that is definitely worrying. What on earth is the story behind this one?

Mike Lang's report on this race (Dutch GP '67) merely notes that an "over-enthusiastic official" was still standing on the grid between the 2 Coopers on the second row when the flag was dropped. The man with the best view, in the middle of row 3, was that year's WC, Denny Hulme. Somehow he (and everyone else) managed to avoid the interloper...

The Belgian Grand Prix of 1981 was marred by two serious incidents involving mechanics, one fatal. In Friday practice a mechanic from the Osella team, Giovanni Amadeo, stumbled off the pitwall into the path of the Williams of Carlos Reutemann. Reutemann was unable to avoid the mechanic, who suffered a fractured skull. He died from his injuries on the Monday after the race. Before the start of the race the mechanics of all the teams staged a protest over the safety measures protecting them, which was soon joined by several drivers who left their cars. The race organisers nevertheless flagged the warm-up lap at the normal time, leaving several cars delayed on the grid, either stalled or with their cockpits vacant. The resulting chaos when the grid formed up again at the end of this lap was exacerbated when Nelson Piquet missed his starting position and was sent round on another lap, with the other cars being held in position. As the cars began to overheat, several drivers turned off their engines, among them Arrows driver Riccardo Patrese, expecting another formation lap due to Piquet's error. However, the organisers began the start sequence as usual once Piquet had regained his position. Patrese was unable to restart his car and waved his arms to signal that he could not take the start. His mechanic, Dave Luckett, instantly came onto the track to restart the car from behind. But after he got onto the track, the lighting sequence to start the race had already begun, and the start went ahead despite the presence of Luckett and Patrese's gesticulations. In the confusion and likely unable to see Patrese's stalled car, the other Arrows driver, Siegfried Stohr, ploughed into the back of his team-mate's car, hitting Luckett. Luckett suffered a broken leg and lacerations but survived the incident. As a result of these events, a new rule was introduced forbidding mechanics from being on the grid within fifteen seconds of the formation lap, and the race starter would use greater caution

Mike Lang's report on this race (Dutch GP '67) merely notes that an "over-enthusiastic official" was still standing on the grid between the 2 Coopers on the second row when the flag was dropped. The man with the best view, in the middle of row 3, was that year's WC, Denny Hulme. Somehow he (and everyone else) managed to avoid the interloper...

With 30 seconds to go and the engine notes rising, an official was seen wandering amongst the cars, trying to persuade Rodriguez to move back a bit! As he turned to Rindt’s car the flag dropped and Hulme and Surtees were completely put off as they avoided the man, and they in turn baulked those behind them. More by luck than judgement the man was not killed, and he joined the other race officials by the side of the track.

With 30 seconds to go and the engine notes rising, an official was seen wandering amongst the cars, trying to persuade Rodriguez to move back a bit! As he turned to Rindt’s car the flag dropped and Hulme and Surtees were completely put off as they avoided the man, and they in turn baulked those behind them. More by luck than judgement the man was not killed, and he joined the other race officials by the side of the track

Does anyone know the last time a flag was used to start a world championship f1 grand prix.

This is a great thread by the way and imo, Glen Dix was probaly the most enthusiastic and best.

The search function brought me this: http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?show...284&hl=flag post #4

So, the last time a flag was used to start a WDC GP would have been the 1977 German GP.

Hi all,

Here is my first "new" topic. I'm looking for an article, or story about people who waved checkered flags at GPs back in 60s, 70s, and 80s. I came across few bits and bites and I want to find out more. I read about one guy in Australia (80s) who had absolutely crazy moves and waves, another guy in Spain (that was 70s), who was wearing red pants, there was another guy in Canada, making mad leaps (60s). They were there on the track, just few feet from the cars crossing the finish line at full speed. Here are few absolutely amazing photos from my collection, they will "tell" you why I'm interested in this topic.


Berger - 1987 Australian GP



Lauda - 1974 Spanish GP


Brabham - 1967 Canadian GP

Best Regards
Igor

Hi all,
Thanks to everyone. This is great info, I really appreciate it. Keep the topic rolling :-)
By the way, does anyone know how to contact Glen Dix?
Best Regards
Igor