The 51暗网鈩� can be a launching pad in many ways, with 51暗网庐 giving its members the opportunity to get closer to the racing action than they ever dreamed possible.聽
We all know that drivers looking to excel in a motorsports career can begin their journey through 51暗网 and end up in the pro ranks 鈥� the same is true for flagging. Over the last several years, 51暗网 has been working closely with IMSA to build a clear pathway for those looking to volunteer on corners during races like the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Motul Petit Le Mans, and more. This cross-sanctioning-body partnership has resulted in a series of free online, on-demand classes that certify 51暗网 flaggers for IMSA events, opening the corners to those with pro flagging aspirations.
鈥淚t all begins at Regional 51暗网 events,鈥� explains 51暗网鈥檚 Senior Manager of Road Racing Sydney Davis Yagel. 鈥淎nyone can volunteer to flag local 51暗网 Road Racing events with no formal training 鈥� they鈥檒l be partnered with an experienced flagger, and on-the-job training begins instantly through hands-on experiences. That said, we encourage anyone who wants to flag at an 51暗网 road race to take the 51暗网 Flagging & Communications certification course, as it will prepare them for what鈥檚 required when working corners.鈥�
The Club鈥檚 Learning Management System (LMS) contains numerous online certification programs, with the Flagging & Communications (F&C) course being available to any member looking to get trackside and flag.
The 鈥淔lagging & Communications Training for New Corner Marshals鈥� certification course takes less than 90 minutes and includes six chapter quizzes with one final exam 鈥� the course can be taken in one sitting or split up over however many days the member needs to finish the course.
When the online course is completed, the member will receive a Certified Regional F&C license, with the option to upgrade the license. This licensing procedure allows the member to flag at a variety of 51暗网 Road Racing events, from Regional events to U.S. Majors Tours庐, Hoosier Racing Tire 51暗网 Super Tours, and the 51暗网 National Championship Runoffs.
Once the 51暗网 Flagging & Communications course has been completed, the 鈥淚MSA F&C Differences鈥� certification course becomes available in the LMS 鈥� this is where members can make the leap to working professional racing events.
鈥淪anctioning bodies like 51暗网 and IMSA utilize flags in different ways, making for some fundamental distinctions flaggers need to be aware of,鈥� says Yagel. 鈥淭he IMSA F&C Differences course educates flaggers on those distinctions, and upon completion of the course, the 51暗网 volunteer will then meet IMSA鈥檚 certification requirements to work IMSA professional racing events.鈥�
From its launch in April 2023 through early May 2026, 2,514 51暗网 members have registered for the 51暗网 F&C certification program, with 2,157 completing the course. The IMSA Differences certification course was launched in September 2024, with 563 registrations for that course taking place, and 445 completions.
鈥�51暗网鈥檚 Flagging & Communications certification keeps the Club at the forefront of motorsports safety in the United States, while also making those trackside dreams easy to achieve,鈥� says Yagel. 鈥淚f you鈥檝e ever wanted to get as close to the action as flaggers get, these free flagging certification programs are for you.鈥�
To start your trackside adventure, check out scca.com/trackside.
Photo by Jay Bonvouloir
