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| Radio Lingo | Race Attire | |
| Role play: Let's say you're at turn four at Roebling Road Raceway in Pooler, GA, and a red miata, car #32, comes through, completely off line, and flies off on the outside of the turn (not an uncommon occurrence at turn 4 ;). Anyway, the car gets buried in the soft sand. Here's what you might hear on the radio: **CC: "corner captain" **C1: "race control" CC: Control, Four, standing yellow. C1: Go four. CC: We are standing yellow for car 3, 2, red. All four off driver's left. The car is running but he is stuck in a bad place. Will advise. C1: Copy. Let us know. ----a moment or two goes by---- CC: Control, Four, no flag. C1: Go four. CC: Car 3, 2, red has continued on point, and we are green. As you notice, the corner captain calls for control's attention, gives his corner number and flag status, then waits for control to call back. You always call out the car number in single digits and it's color because words are easily garbled on the radio. You always want control to know where the car is and what's going on. To "continue on point" means the driver waited for instructions from a corner marshal and continued when he/she was instructed to. This may sound horribly confusing, but don't worry, you'll pick it up quickly! :) Things not to say on the radio: 1. State whether the driver is OK or if you need an ambulance. Do not give details...remember, crew members have scanners! 2. Don't say "the car is dead in the water." In other words, don't say "dead" under any circumstances. 3. Never say "fire" or "emergency" unless you mean it. 4. Never say "red flag" unless you mean it. This is a call only given by control after a situation has been assessed. 5. Do not talk during black flag, meatball, or checker flag laps. 6. Don't narrate an incident, wait until it's completed. Control only needs the basic information. If there's more to it, write it down, and give it to an official after the race. |
Workers need the proper attire when they go to the race track. It's a simple, yet very specific list of equipment. 1. 100% cotton, long pants, long or short-sleeve shirt or a fire-retardant suit from Safe-Quip, Mfg. It is extremely important that you wear 100% cotton!! Absolutely NO polyester or nylon (a.k.a. shrink wrap). Your clothes should be loose fitting should you need to come out of them in case of an emergency. Socks should also be 100% cotton. 2. Comfortable, weather-proof shoes. 3. Mechanix gloves. 4. A belt for your radio. 5. Sunblock, sunblock, sunblock. Hat, sunglasses, etc. 6. Ear plugs are very important! 7. Water. 8. Snacks. 9. A marine/emergency whistle that has a "break-away" cord. 10. Optional items: belt cutters (heavy duty scissors), a scanner, binoculars, small emergency kit, pencil and paper, clear or white poncho. Do not bring red or yellow raincoats; drivers may confuse your flapping poncho for a flag and come to a screeching halt. |