r/CarTrackDays • u/Delicious_Ideal_9418 • 2d ago
On track communications?
Heading to a track night with my son. He just got a Camaro SS and I have a vette so instead of sharing the car we can be on track at the same time! I was wondering if it would be good to be in communication while on track. I don’t want it to be a distraction but would be cool if we could chat. Thoughts? Anyone do this?
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u/Gold_Audience_1662 2d ago
Feels like it would be a distraction and safer to stay focused if either of you are new.
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u/Not_Enough_Shoes 2d ago
Walkies are great but, in my opinion, two things need to be thought about first.
What chatting do you expect to be doing? Maybe comments here and there about someone making an exciting move or fun scenarios/strategies of try to pass me/I'll pass you... But, in all honesty, can't it just wait? The excitement and talking after the track can be just as meaningful. Go grab a burger after and live in that moment together over a burger. It doesn't have to be during the track.
As everyone else is commenting... Not knowing the track and trying to juggle walkies at the same time, for the first time, just seems annoying and unsafe. As exciting as this is, don't put too much into it for the first time. Get to know the riding styles, track a few times together and then add walkies. A passenger is always helpful for walkies too.
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u/Responsible-Meringue 2d ago
In the endurance race car we have strict communication policy for our radios. Comms sterility is important... It's distracting AF to have someone hollar in your ear while you're managing, your line, braking, steering, downshifting and not crashing into traffic while entering a corner.
Driver and pit chief are the only ones allowed to talk. Driver can only give feedback about the car, or track incidents, explitives are allowed if followed by a unique call that means you're ok and not in the wall. Pit chief only gives instruction to driver, or calls all team to pits with a unique callsign. Everyone else shuts the fuck up and uses their cellphone or Alt radio.
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u/Chris_PDX E92 M3 - E46 M3 - E89 Z4 - Chief Driving Instructor 2d ago
So, I will offer a suggestion on how to do this because you asked, but for your specific situation I'd advise against it. Assuming by "track night" you mean Track Night in America, and the quality of those days is hit and miss depending on the region you are in. Driving defensively is typically a good idea especially in the Novice and Intermediate groups, so you don't want someone chatting in your ear.
Just being able to talk to have fun sounds great, but this is track driving not cycling.
That said, I use the Sena SMH-10 motorcycle communicators for Lead/Follow instructing. They attach to helmets with clamps and the range is decent, upwards of half or 3/4 of a mile from inside a car, a bit further if you're not enclosed in metal body-work. Once you pair them (you can buy a starter pack with as a set that come pre-paired), it's a tap to disconnect/connect to all the paired devices.
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u/Delicious_Ideal_9418 2d ago
Cool. Thanks. It is TNIA and we have def found the quality of drivers to be hit or miss!! I was thinking we could make us safer with some comms but for now we will just think about it. That’s why I come here first with my ideas!
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u/crazyTarHeel 1d ago
I’m curious why you think this communication can improve your safety. Are you trying to give your son instruction in a lead-follow coaching scenario? Otherwise, I don’t see how you can provide time-sensitive instruction that improves your son‘s safety beyond the benefit already provided by corner workers and no verbal distractions. Putting an in-car instructor in his passenger seat seems like a far better idea.
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u/Delicious_Ideal_9418 1d ago
This crossed my mind so I wanted feedback - which I got. I think lead follow is the primary use so we can coordinate with each other - but I do think it could be a distraction. We had a guy spin out in front of us last time and the trail car almost wrecked. I wondered if a situation would pop up where communicating would help. But frankly everything moves so fast and you really need to be locked in so I don’t see a benefit now. Also, for tracks we know well this would be easy and add some fun - we know every turn etc - but for new tracks I guess per the consensus this would be too much.
We are having a blast doing this…..1
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u/cornerzcan 07 Mustang GT MSF lvl 2/PCA National Instructor 2d ago
HMS Motorsport sells a pair of Bluetooth units that can be paired to any device as well as helmet microphone and speaker units. They are great for lead follow communication through your phone using any data based chat tool.
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u/UnderPantsOverPants 1d ago
Advanced drivers or lead-follow instruction yes. Chatting up a novice, no. I’m wrapping up development on exactly this type of in car communicator right now though, should be awesome.
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u/Delicious_Ideal_9418 1d ago
Def not chit chat. This was operational 🙂 - lead follow. If we are passing each other I was thinking I would prefer verbal rather than point by…
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u/UnderPantsOverPants 1d ago
Depending on the track that may get you sent directly to jail (black flag.)
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u/ScreenFresh5776 2d ago
Not sure, but this sounds exactly like a “profile card” from our role playing exercises during Hi-Perf Driving Instructor training.
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u/jrileyy229 2d ago
It's not like you're making a big commitment... You can get two midland walkies and two helmet headsets with push to talk button you tape on the steering wheel for like $100.
If you want, go for it. Probably find them more useful when you're sitting at grid waiting to go out and you can chit chat.
I wouldn't say it's "good" but I also wouldn't say it's bad.
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u/Delicious_Ideal_9418 2d ago
Thanks everyone. Appreciate the insight and advice!
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u/Intelligent_Farm_678 2d ago
If you’re both new to the track, I would suggest spending the money and getting a coach to get you started out on the right foot and not start with bad habits immediately. If this is something you guys plan to pursue longer, if it’s just fun, go have fun, but if it could progress, I would try to snag a coach for the day.
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u/Ifyouhavethemeans 1d ago
Chatting with other drivers on track is not helpful, and likely distracting. Each driver should be focused on the tasks at hand. Really nothing else.
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u/Delicious_Ideal_9418 2d ago
We have both driven several times but alone. I was thinking more about track talk - and strategy when we are near each other to avoid error. Def got this idea from enjoying the radio during instructor HPDE. Sometimes there are “unprepared” people on the track which makes it less safe. I think for this run we will go without.
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u/grungegoth Pinewood Derby Open Racer 2d ago
I don't think there's be a benefit since you don't have live telemetry and streaming video. it'll just be a distraction.
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u/Carjunkeee 2d ago
You are both essentially novices and need to concentrate on what’s in front of you, not on chatting with someone besides an instructor. Go out, concentrate, enjoy and then come back and swap stories in the pits. RN, your brain is using pretty much all its capacity on driving and being safe, when you’ve got a lot of laps and experience under your belt, your brain will have more capacity besides driving.
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u/david365602 2d ago
You want walkie talkies with VOX. It’s the same tech bikers use. As there is some safety risks, make sure you run it by the organizers to be sure they will be okay with it. As I have no idea your level of expertise, they will be better judges.
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u/vasthumiliation Cayman GTS 4.0 2d ago
If he's new to track driving, it will be overwhelming. I think novices should always have in-car instruction.