It’s impossible to exaggerate the importance of a race car driver's helmet kit. Good communication between a race car driver and the crew chief is critical. The driver and crew chief sit at the top of the racing team pyramid, and all the important “in-race” decisions will come from one of them. Racing headsets, radios, and a driver’s helmet kit allow the team to stay in touch regarding track conditions. When the crew chief needs to calm the driver down after some bumping on the track or they need to discuss the pit strategy, clear communications allow for success. Sharing information in real-time can be the difference between winning and losing.
Report Problems with the Car
When a car races around a track at over 200 mph, problems come fast. At those high speeds, there’s no such thing as a small problem. During a race, the driver will report any issues with the car to the crew chief. The chief and driver will decide how urgent the problem is and if the driver should pit right away. Then, the crew chief will alert the pit crew, so they can prepare and get ready for the car.
Report Performance
The driver will also report on the car’s performance throughout the race. If he notices the car gets sluggish or the tires grab, he needs to report that to the crew chief. Relaying car performance issues will let the crew check past performance data against the current circumstances and adjust. Tweaks to the car will help it perform better and get around the track faster.
Time is Everything
Inside every race car are gauges and warning lights that tell the driver they might need a pit stop. Drivers can unintentionally push their vehicles too far on occasion. When that happens, it’s up to the crew chief to let the driver know it’s time for a pit stop. Timing when to make a pit is an important strategy in racing, and it can make all the difference in a race.
Keep Calm and Drive On
The demands of competitive racing are stressful, and the stakes are incredibly high while behind the wheel of a race team’s finely tuned performance machine. With speeds over 200 mph and cars on every side, a driver experiences what some pros describe as a “pressure cooker like no other.” Drivers can get a little hot sometimes and need to hear a reassuring voice on the other end. An experienced crew chief will coach a driver through mentally and emotionally challenging moments so that a driver’s reactions stay in check and do not lead to an unnecessary collision.
In a sport where information, reaction, and timing is everything, clear radio communication gives your team a winning competitive edge.