SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1533430
YOUR SECRET WEAPON ON RACE DAY? COMMUNICATION! By Dustin Ensign Most teams focus on shocks, power, and prep, but the best teams know their real advantage is being able to communicate with each other. From the co-driver’s voice of reason to pit crews ready at a moment’s notice, communication can be the difference between a trophy and a tow strap. The Real MVP In The Right Seat The co-driver is the unsung hero of any race team. Acting as the driver’s second set of eyes, strategist, and real-time navigator, the co-driver’s voice cuts through the chaos with calm, critical direction. Whether it’s calling out course notes, alerting the driver to hazards, or talking them back from the edge, reliable communication keeps the race on track. That’s where a solid intercom system proves its value, delivering more than just clear audio. Advanced features like a Driver Isolate Switch allows the co-driver to take over all radio communication, so the driver can stay focused on the course ahead. Dual Volume Controls provide independent volume adjustment for both seats, while Digital Speech Processor (DSP) chips dramatically reduce background noise from wind and engine noise, especially important in high-horsepower or open-cockpit vehicles. A good intercom doesn’t just help you hear each other, it helps you think clearly, act quickly, and stay calm under pressure. In many cases, the co-driver becomes more than a navigator, they’re a stabilizer, a strategist, and yes, sometimes a therapist. The Most Important Team Outside The Car While the driver and co-driver are battling the course, their support teams are battling time. Pit crews and chase vehicles need accurate, real-time updates to coordinate fueling, repairs, and emergency support. That’s where long-range car-to-chase communication systems come into play. Mobile radios mounted in both the race car and chase vehicles allow teams to stay in constant contact across long distances, even in the remote deserts of Baja. With a properly tuned system and a well-placed antenna, teams can communicate over long distances, ensuring no one is left guessing when or where the car will arrive. But here’s the truth: too often, chase crews are handed a mobile radio in a ratty cardboard box, with an antenna cable wadded up and stuffed alongside it, and an antenna that’s seen better days. If your chase crew is expected to perform, they need tools they can rely on. Race teams should prioritize outfitting their support crews with properly installed, race-ready communication systems, because a crew that can’t hear you can’t help you. When done right, your crew becomes an extension of the vehicle, prepping ahead, reacting fast, and ready to jump in before problems slow you down. Case Study: How Communication Helped The Isenhouers Win During an off-road race in 2022, Nick and Chris Isenhouer claimed first place in the Unlimited Spec Truck class. But it wasn’t brute speed alone that got them there, it was focus, strategy, and clear communication. “Chris had to start talking some sense into me. If any of you guys know Chris and I’s driving styles, you’ll know that Chris is the cool, calm and composed driver,” said Nick Isenhouer. “I’m a little more emotion-based and tend to push too hard. Chris kept reminding me all 400 miles, ‘If we have to get out of this truck, we are done.’ So, we put our heads down and started focusing on keeping the truck in one piece while trying to hold a pace.” As the final lap began, the Isenhouers left the pits in P2. Moments later, they spotted the lead truck, stopped, with the driver outside. “HE WAS STOPPED AND OUT OF THE TRUCK! That meant we had not only the lead on time, but we were the first Spec Truck on the road,” said Isenhouer. “It was at this moment Chris knew he had the hardest job ever: he had to keep me focused and on pace to get us to the finish.” They succeeded, crossing the finish line as the first Spec Truck and sixth vehicle overall. Their secret weapon? Calm, focused in-car communication powered by their Rugged Radios RRP6100 Race Series Intercom. The Isenhouer Brothers rely on it to strategize, make critical calls, and—sometimes—keep each other grounded when adrenaline runs high. Race-Proven Gear That Keeps You In The Fight You wouldn’t race without harnesses or GPS, your communications system also deserves the same priority. Championship teams rely on this race-proven gear from green flag to checkered. Here’s what they trust to stay connected when it matters most: Race Series RRP6100 Intercom System: Designed for and proven in high-speed desert racing. Features include a Driver Isolate switch, dual volume controls, and Digital Speech Processor (DSP) chips that dramatically reduce background noise from wind and engine roar. Race Series M1 Mobile Radio: The only radio in the world built specifically for off-road racing and extreme environments. Developed from decades of Baja-tested experience, the M1 is purpose-built to deliver long-range car-to-chase communication mile after mile. Chase Vehicle Radios: A race team’s communication is only as strong as its support crew. Properly installed mobile radios with race-tuned antennas keep chase vehicles connected and ready, all race long. Crew Radios and Headsets: Pit coordination doesn’t happen in silence. High-noise headsets and handheld radios are essential for fast, accurate teamwork when seconds count. Remember: slow is smooth, and smooth is fast Communication Wins Races Whether you’re charging through a silt bed or changing a tire on course, communication is your edge. It’s the unshakable link between the cockpit, the pits, and your chase crew, the silent MVP behind every smart call and smooth recovery. From intercoms to long-range chase radios, Rugged Radios builds the gear trusted by champions across the off-road world, because when everything’s on the line, your voice is your advantage. Need Help Dialing In Your System? Call the Rugged Radios Race Support Hotline: (805) 810-0334 Or visit ruggedradios.com SJ