Black flag
A black flag tells a driver to enter the pits; pointed at you it is personal, while shown to all cars it can stop the whole session.
Also called: meatball flag, mechanical black flag, all-black flag
The black flag means come into the pits. Shown furled or pointed at a specific car, often with a number board, it means that car. Common reasons in HPDE are passing in a no-pass zone, a dropped wheel off track, a missed flag, or a car leaking fluid. It is not a punishment ceremony; the pit marshal or your instructor just wants to talk.
Some organizations wave black flags at every station to bring all cars in at once, for example when the session needs to be cleared but not stopped as urgently as a red. The black flag with an orange disc in the middle, known as the meatball, means your car has a mechanical problem, such as a loose part, smoke or a fluid leak, so come in at reduced speed and stay off the racing line.
The big mistakes are ignoring it or doing one more lap because you are not sure it was for you. If you think it might be for you, signal and come in. Each organization explains its own procedure at the drivers' meeting, and that briefing has the final word.
Responding promptly to a black flag protects you and others, and ignoring one is a common way to be sent home from an event.
Hazard ahead. Slow down, no passing, be ready to change line. Waving means slow more.
Common meanings at HPDE and club events. Every organizer confirms its own flags at the drivers' meeting, and that briefing has the final word.