So, as BigAl had alluded to, I 'missed' a red flag.
i don't for one minute believe the flag wasn't shown, it clearly was, but the position and manner in which the flag was shown were wholy inappropriate.
So, to elaborate, start by watching this clip, which is aimed RIGHT at the Marshall, and makes it seem rather more obvious than it was.
Watch all the way through.......
So, to the in car:
1:05 on the time stamp, entering bobbies. Marshall post 12 on the left empty:
Time stamp 1:15, exiting bobbies, passing 3 slow cars on the left. Traffic light just vissible top left of the Clio, lights not illuminated:
A second later, time stamp 1:16, same light still not illuminated:
Time stamp 1:20, I overtake the Clio. Marshall points 12 and 13 also empty.
Does the circle on the red look like s good idea for a flag location to you?
Time stamp 1:22, at the corner now and notice debris on the track. Still no clear flag on entry, VERY hard on the brakes not wanting to go round at full speed on debris:
Red flag man must be stick thin and waving the flag direct at me 'pole on', as this image shows, whilst you can see him in th external video, he's totally invisible from on the car!
Time stamp 1:23, flag man is now just about visible to those with 20:20, not that you should be looking over there at that point on the corner.
Traffic light head straight ahead still not showing any clear red. I'm told
These flash, but of they're flashing at such a low frequency, you could stare at them for a second and still not see a red light!
Half a second later at 1:24 I've slowed right down, traffic light still not apparent, and flag man obviously bored at half mast.
Clio chap behind me still hasn't seen the red, almost fails to stop behind me and gets very out of shape, then continues to power past me after the bend before seeing the first CLEAR red at the start line.
Result: I was banned the the remainder of the day. No prior warnings, no talking to, just instant dismissal with any option for discussion or reasoning.
Several others on the day had had multiple warnings, for missing flags, diving down the inside, and generally driving too aggressively. I'd stayed completely out of trouble, yet get evicted on the first offence.
I accepted their decision, and asked to discuss the position of the red flag from a safety point of view, but was told they were 'not prepared to enter into a debate with me'
So, there's the story. I did miss the flag, I can't deny that, but I believe the positioning of said flag, and the way the incident was dealt with? Was totally inappropriate.
At the time I had a que of 5 people, who'd all paid £20 to MM for a ride, I even brought this up with the track manager, who wasn't interested. He'd sooner see a charity refund £100 then go back on a bad decision!
Oh well!
I still had fun
I'll post the happier bits tomorrow!