SCORE INTERNATIONAL

SCORE Journal Issue 9 - 2015

SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing

Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/590058

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 68 of 97

of SCORE racing in Baja. He's essentially the person that created the type of communication rules and etiquette that is common in SCORE races to this day. "Every race we have emergencies and there's no getting around it," says Steinberger. "I typically have the whole race course plotted out so when an accident happens at a specific mile, I know the closest medic and the closest checkpoint to that particular location." Steinberger was the first to set up radio communications at SCORE events and has been involved with radio communications at SCORE races for more than 40 years. Needless to say, this is a vital component to safety and logistics. So Steinberger set the rules for teams and racers to follow. "Radio etiquette is very important when you have thousands of radios on a single channel. So the main thing is to get your message quickly and to the point," says Steinberger. Over And Above Emergency Communication While everyone in SCORE listens to the Weatherman and is courteous while they're on the airways, team and driver communications have definitely increased. Short communications can provide advantages for pit stops, warn of dangers ahead of the driver, and also help drivers get out of difficult situations RACE COMMUNICATION COMPANIES LIKE PCI ALSO SUPPORT SCORE RACES WITH ON-SITE DISPLAYS DURING RACES AND TECHNICAL HELP FOR TEAMS quickly, without calling in for emergency support. "I have had more situations occur, where I needed to radio to someone for help when I am pre-running," says veteran SCORE Trophy Truck racer Rob MacCachren. "When you are out there on the course for several days or weeks, you tend to come across all kinds of things. For instance, I came across a guy who was injured in the summit and I, along with our guys, radioed for help. Then there was the time when my team experienced a very scary moment. A few years ago, one of our own crew guys was hit by a passing Trophy Truck. Many teams were able to call out for help and reach SCORE ops to get a helicopter, which we thankfully did not end up using." From the viewpoint of the racer and teammates, the function of race communications is pivotal, yet disciplined. The driver and co- driver only want to hear the most critical information from chase crews and pits that are tangential to their progress on the race course, vehicle performance, pit stops, and only the most urgent matters. But the core protocol during an off-road race is usually limited to only what's necessary. "The most vital information that we communicate to the team are status updates of either mile 069 SCORE JOURNAL

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of SCORE INTERNATIONAL - SCORE Journal Issue 9 - 2015