Track Communications

[PineyLGT805]

How many of you track goers think that a radio set up would be useful? Helmet kit for the driver and radio for a spotter, or if you rally ... between you and your Co-Driver. I see a lot of off-roaders in my line of work and more and more find it Key to have a radio/intercom set up in their racer.

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[leecea]

This is an autocross forum

[Davidss]

This would be not be legal for autocross.

[adhowe70]

I believe it would be 100% legal for autocross. It is also about 100% worthless.

[cdmnky]

It would work for Pro Solo (and is 100% legal there). Have your co-driver, friends, whatever give you info in the challenge about cones hit, off courses, time differentials, etc.

Many drivers right now use their stock radio to listen to the announcer for the same sort of information.

[Davidss]

Originally Posted by adhowe70

I believe it would be 100% legal for autocross. It is also about 100% worthless.

Coaching during a run is not legal. And I don't think it would be worthless. It would be awesome to have someone reminding you too look ahead!

[CarTuned]

Originally Posted by Davidss

Coaching during a run is not legal. And I don't think it would be worthless. It would be awesome to have someone reminding you too look ahead!

What about novice drivers with "coaching" passengers instructing them where to go and how to drive...? Headsets would be a fancier way but the same, no?

[Davidss]

Originally Posted by CarTuned

What about novice drivers with "coaching" passengers instructing them where to go and how to drive...? Headsets would be a fancier way but the same, no?

According to the rules you can not have a passenger. It sort of depends on the region whether this is enforced. My local region up until this year had the policy that if you rode with someone or had someone ride with you a competitor could protest you. This year they changed the policy and encourage ride alongs so people can help each other improve.

[Boxologist]

autocom.
chatterbox is ok, but i'd rather a hardwired system.
Its mostly pointless for autoXing. Outside of an instructor run or core worker for the region listening in on radio, there would be no benefit. Granted i will still listen in on my FRS when I'm in grid even the heats when i'm not SSSing.

A novice in a convertible would be served well with it. But may not be the test teaching method for that driver.

[racerjon1]

Assistance is not allowed as per the National Solo rules. Local events wave this because it fits their interests better.

National Solo Rules:
6.7 VISUAL OR ORAL INSTRUCTION
No visual or oral instruction shall be given to a driver during his timed
runs except in an emergency situation

I also don't see it allowed in the Pro Solo rules.. (it was a quick scan though) which build on the National rules.. so if it isn't in there, it isn't allowed at a Pro Solo either.



Jon K

[KC]

Originally Posted by racerjon1

Assistance is not allowed as per the National Solo rules. Local events wave this because it fits their interests better.



I also don't see it allowed in the Pro Solo rules.. (it was a quick scan though) which build on the National rules.. so if it isn't in there, it isn't allowed at a Pro Solo either.



Jon K

Wow. I remember some people using hands free cell phones to be notified that a cone was hit or whatnot by a particular person watching.

--kC

[PineyLGT805]

I'm new to autocross so I am fairly unfamiliar with the rules. I work around off road trucks (I.e. Trophy trucks, UTVs etc) and allof these guys use communications as
A.)saftey
B.)help improve lap, section times

I just thought maybe car drivers (I know alot of car racing uses them) would have a use for radios/communications

[racerjon1]

Originally Posted by KC

Wow. I remember some people using hands free cell phones to be notified that a cone was hit or whatnot by a particular person watching.

--kC

I saw a guy signaling to a driver in the Super Challenge this year at Arakansas... I was thinking, "WTF.."



Jon K

[racerjon1]

Originally Posted by PineyLGT805

I'm new to autocross so I am fairly unfamiliar with the rules. I work around off road trucks (I.e. Trophy trucks, UTVs etc) and allof these guys use communications as
A.)saftey
B.)help improve lap, section times

I just thought maybe car drivers (I know alot of car racing uses them) would have a use for radios/communications

Autocross is fast, faster than anything short of F1 and some courses faster. (Before you argue, this is in inputs/min, not "speed" - think of it like you would shock speed not MPH)

Because of that, if you are listening to someone out of the car you are probably going to just end up late for your inputs. The other poster had it right when he said it would be good to be reminded to "look ahead" - other than that I jsut don't see it helping in a "regular" autocross.

Safety... perhaps if there was a red flag it could be good to have the radio as well.. but if the workers are doing their job and geting the flags waving, it's not a necessity.

On a road course yes it can be done, but there is a lot more time to breath there, so you can have moments of chatter.

Segment times? Eh.. there are so few runs in autocross it's pretty much 100% each time. It isn't likely you will benefit from, "well, cool your tires this lap cause you already messed that section up" or, "Keep digging this is a good run."


Jon K