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As for being the assistant flagman, I asked him who makes the calls, them or the tower. “Actually, sometimes we do, then there are times we don’t. The flagman watches the front part of the field and I watch the back part. If we see things, we can call them but of course calls come from the tower. No one can see it all. The tower has a better view than we do.”
During practice, Wallace in in the turn four entrance “I’m in turn four, guiding the cars out and making sure they have all their equipment on and seatbelts fastened. I also make sure there is no leaking fluid before they enter the track.”
As a flag person, the biggest changes Wallace has noticed is “The caliber of the cars - that’s the biggest thing. The cars are much faster and safer with the improvement they’re making. But that takes a lot of money and here they’re making more campgrounds for this year. I think it’s great that they are bringing in drivers from outside. It raises the bar that much higher for these guys. It’s also good to see 8-10,000 people in the stands.”
One accident sticks out in Wallace’s mind. “Two years ago when the Tour race was here, a driver came up and hit the flag stand. The flagman was injured and had to be replaced. That’s the worst fear up there. when a guy comes around that turn and starts riding the bank. It kind of puts a scare into you.”
Last winter, Wallace was given a very prestigious honour. He was named ATV’s “Maritimer of the Week” for his work in the community and particularly the school. It was a complete surprise at the time but anyone who knows Wallace Carr, knows that it is an honour well deserved.
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