A nickle to the first person who answers this correctly!
Help!! I compile a weekly q&a column for the Sun Times and I am keen to answer a reader's query on the origin of the chequered flag in motor racing. Any thoughts?? Many thanks, David Harbord, Sunday Times Sports Production Manager
Full Version: Chequered Flag
I found no reply, but just a clue.
Whilst reviewing my notes for when, so many years ago, I got my license as flag marshall, and, being guided to the 1925 AIACR rules on flags (yellow and blue, plus the chequered one) I saw a note that indicates (not sure if this is correct) that the first time the chequered was used was in Indy 1912.
But no explanation on what the black and white squares mean...
:-)
Felix
Whilst reviewing my notes for when, so many years ago, I got my license as flag marshall, and, being guided to the 1925 AIACR rules on flags (yellow and blue, plus the chequered one) I saw a note that indicates (not sure if this is correct) that the first time the chequered was used was in Indy 1912.
But no explanation on what the black and white squares mean...
:-)
Felix
Maybe it some adoptation of old chequered naval maritime signal flags either indicating ships to return to port. Or telling crew to return back on board and cease their work.
Who knows?
I read it was used in 1913 not 1912 and prior to this there is evidence of French bicycle races having the chequered flag used.
Tell the answer if you found out for sure.
Who knows?
I read it was used in 1913 not 1912 and prior to this there is evidence of French bicycle races having the chequered flag used.
Tell the answer if you found out for sure.
Well, I can verify that the checkered flag was used at the Indy 500 in 1911: the 1 June 1911 issue of "The Automobile" shows a checkered flag being used to wave home the winner, Ray Harroun, at the finish. Will look for anything prior to that when I get the chance.
Don,
Is there by any chance a picture on the web of the cover? Or if you have it or have seen it can you possible have time to scan it and post on the BB? It would be great to have a picture of it even in digital format.
Is there by any chance a picture on the web of the cover? Or if you have it or have seen it can you possible have time to scan it and post on the BB? It would be great to have a picture of it even in digital format.
I thought it had something to do with a naval signal or something.....very vague i know.
Looking at a picture of the finish of the 1908 Grand Prize Race of the Automobile Club of American at Savannah, there is a "checkered pattern" at the finish line which may or may not be a flag, but it is definitely a checkered design. The picture is in Quattlebaum's The Great Savannah Races on page 28.
Well, not much time to research but still looking for the legends behind the checkered flag.
However, I did stumble on this info from the AAA Contest Board concerning flags as they were used in the late 1930's:
Green - Starts race & indicates clear course during race
Yellow - Caution, maintain position
Orange with large Blue circle - the passing flag, someone is attempting to pass
Red - stops the race
White - stop for consultation (!)
Blue - indicates starting the last lap of the race
Checkered - ends race
There is no mention of the black flag, the white flag being used instead. Interesting. Dosen't help you too much, DD, but you can use this to confuse them....
However, I did stumble on this info from the AAA Contest Board concerning flags as they were used in the late 1930's:
Green - Starts race & indicates clear course during race
Yellow - Caution, maintain position
Orange with large Blue circle - the passing flag, someone is attempting to pass
Red - stops the race
White - stop for consultation (!)
Blue - indicates starting the last lap of the race
Checkered - ends race
There is no mention of the black flag, the white flag being used instead. Interesting. Dosen't help you too much, DD, but you can use this to confuse them....
I found this curious variant in a Finnish book from 1952:
"According to international rules the flags are:"
Blue flag (horisontal): Keep to the right (or left)
Blue flag (waving): Attension, slow down, danger!
Black flag (sometimes red): Stop your car.
Yellow flag: All cars must stop immediately.
White flag: Danger, ambulance on the track.
Chequered flag (sometimes black): End of race.
Different flag signals seem to have been in use throughout racing history. For example in the British trials for the 1904 Gordon Bennett race the starter seem to have a flag (white?) in his hand.
[p][smallfont][Edited by Leif Snellman on 06-22-2000][/smallfont]
"According to international rules the flags are:"
Blue flag (horisontal): Keep to the right (or left)
Blue flag (waving): Attension, slow down, danger!
Black flag (sometimes red): Stop your car.
Yellow flag: All cars must stop immediately.
White flag: Danger, ambulance on the track.
Chequered flag (sometimes black): End of race.
Different flag signals seem to have been in use throughout racing history. For example in the British trials for the 1904 Gordon Bennett race the starter seem to have a flag (white?) in his hand.
[p][smallfont][Edited by Leif Snellman on 06-22-2000][/smallfont]
About the different race flags. I looked at the Coppa Acerbo link on your page. Its got excellent photos.
Although later by far than the early races you are talking about it shows similar things.
In the early years 1925-1926 as well later you can see the large chequered flag pattern on the start/finnish line.
Also in the photo section for 1925 the finish photo seems to have a guy holding a black flag which he is about to wave as the winning car crosses.
Although later by far than the early races you are talking about it shows similar things.
In the early years 1925-1926 as well later you can see the large chequered flag pattern on the start/finnish line.
Also in the photo section for 1925 the finish photo seems to have a guy holding a black flag which he is about to wave as the winning car crosses.
I don't know if this is helpful but an article titled "Checkered flag at the finish line predated automobiles" was published by The Indianapolis Star-News on May 29, 1999.
thanks desmo,
http://www.starnews.com/archive/
Yes, its definitely there under May 30, 1999. It requires registration and a credit card to access the whole article though
here's the start
1 : Checkered flag at the finish line predated automobiles
Published on Sunday, May 30, 1999
One of the most frequently asked questions - and one for which there may never be a definitive answer - is, ``What is the origin of the black-and-white-checkered flag and why is it used to signal the end of an automobile race?''
Not only can it be traced to the very beginning of motorsports, it apparently came into use in bicycle racing in France sometime in the 1860s, some 20 years before there was any such thing as an automobile.
http://www.starnews.com/archive/
Yes, its definitely there under May 30, 1999. It requires registration and a credit card to access the whole article though
here's the start
1 : Checkered flag at the finish line predated automobiles
Published on Sunday, May 30, 1999
One of the most frequently asked questions - and one for which there may never be a definitive answer - is, ``What is the origin of the black-and-white-checkered flag and why is it used to signal the end of an automobile race?''
Not only can it be traced to the very beginning of motorsports, it apparently came into use in bicycle racing in France sometime in the 1860s, some 20 years before there was any such thing as an automobile.
The picnic theory???
Makes sense 
I've always understood that the chequered/checkered flag marked the finish of a race. But a photo on the last page of Robert Edwards' biography of Stirling Moss shows Moss's Aston Martin being flagged away at the start with the chequered flag rather than the tricolour. Does anybody know why?
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