Here is a video showing the start. You can see the speed monitor official waving the yellow flag to tell the drivers they are exceeding the 40MPH maximum speed limit. However, the starter at the front of the start boat waves the green instead of the black, while the yellow flag for exceeding the limit is still up. Miscommunication I guess between the two start officials. Nothing official from the event yet that I have been able to find out, but I have not given up.
Then, from talking with people, those in the boat hit it hard because they saw the green and not the black. After they were notified that they had been DQ'd for exceeding the maximum allowed start speed, they protested because they were given the green flag signaling a fair start. From what I have gathered, this was important because they ran full out, and had burnt a piston in one of the boats four engines. They may not have been able to return because of the issue. If this run did not stand, someone else may have been top-gun if they could not get the boat fixed.
The run was reinstated later that evening after meetings with all officials involved watching videos of the start to see if they had been given the green instead of the black. So, they did not have to thrash on the boat to try and make another run, and did not get the boat fixed and attempt another run either day.
Seems like just one more reason to get rid of the running start anyway. First it was from a dead stop, then it was a 20 mph start, then it was a 40 mph start, now it is a green flag start no matter what the speed is?
A dead stop start is easy to monitor and will bring the speeds back down to increase the safety for all. Maybe add 100 yards or something.
