How to Spot

A little radio communication can make a big difference in a race to drivers of all levels.

"Inside, inside...clear!"

It's the chatter you might hear when the NASCAR broadcast picks up the spotter's radio. It gets more complicated than that, of course, but not usually as complicated as in F1, when the drivers may be getting all sorts of engineering data along with race information.

For the average amateur road racer, little of either applies. Sure, there are times when a driver needs to know where a passing car is, but most radio conversation becomes more like basic reminders and a bit of coaching, according to Chris Long, who helped out several Mazda drivers at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs with spotting. Several of the drivers whom Long spotted for were using radios in racing for the first time.