Its a great Ideia to let the flagman start the race, IF everybody can see the flagman. If the guys in the second row cant see the flagman, then the leaders have an advantage. Whats worse is the guys five or six rows back can look out the left side and see the flagman, then they get a jump on the guys that cant see. Im not sure what the answer is, but the pole sitter is on the pole for a reason, even if it is luck of the draw and the front row should start the race, if for no other reason then they are the ones racing, and the flagman is nothing more then the official who makes sure nobody gets an advantage. Dale