radio communications in stock outboard

[DtwSailor]

My son came up with the idea of fitting either him or I, depending on who is driving, with a small fsm radio, and an earpiece so that pit communication can be done, much like the SST.
Not having the time to review the rules, is there a rule against this? Is anyone else doing this?
Thanks
226M

[dholt]

It is legal in Stock to use radios.

Only legal for "new" drivers in J at Non championship and Non record races.

[thepiranhabros]

"New" Junior drivers may use radios

My son came up with the idea of fitting either him or I, depending on who is driving, with a small fsm radio, and an earpiece so that pit communication can be done, much like the SST.
Not having the time to review the rules, is there a rule against this? Is anyone else doing this?
Thanks
226M

You are allowed to use two-way communication. We did this quite successfully with two cell phones and a Bluetooth earpiece. We put my son's phone in a couple of Zip-Lock bags then in his GPS case, put the Bluetooth in his ear, helmet on, called the phone, and voila!

Per the online Rule Book (http://apba-racing.com/Forms/2011/011J.pdf), General Rule 1, Section 7 states: "Junior drivers may not utilize radio communication with the following exception: “New” drivers in these classes (see Rule 1 for definition of “new”) may utilize radio communication at non-championship and non-record races."

A new driver, as defineded per the online Rule Book (http://apba-racing.com/Forms/2011/011J.pdf), Safety Rule 1: "New drivers must, for ten (10) races, place a white cross (X) on their helmets, with the stroke of the X to be a minimum of 2 inches wide. The cross must extend from the front tip up over the top of the helmet to the back rim of the helmet, and from the left ear up over the top of helmet to the right ear. A new driver is any APBA member in good standing who has never driven a registered outboard powered boat in closed course competition heat racing. The new driver must be given an oral examination by the referee, assistant referee, or a person designated by the referee or assistant referee. A new Junior driver must also pass an open-book written test, available from the APBA website, before competing. The new driver must show knowledge of course racing rules before being approved to enter a race. Any new driver’s first day of participation in competition must consist of at least one (1) heat of racing during a sanctioned event in which the new driver will drive in a position at the rear of the pack and be observed by the Referee and course officials. If the driver is not cleared for “open competition” at the end of that heat, he/she shall run an additional heat in the same manner until cleared by the Referee."

[daveracerdsh]

Radios

It is legal....I noticed Tom Smith in DSH using it during finals....I think it was a big help with the clock being hard to see. I will be using a radio next year at nationals. David

[thepiranhabros]

Clarification

My son came up with the idea of fitting either him or I, depending on who is driving, with a small fsm radio, and an earpiece so that pit communication can be done, much like the SST.
Not having the time to review the rules, is there a rule against this? Is anyone else doing this?
Thanks
226M

To clarify (since I assumed your son was racing JH or JR), Stock and Mod drivers may also use radios. Per the 2011 online Rule Book (http://apba-racing.com/Forms/2011/011SOMOPRO.pdf), General Rule 1, Section 8, "MO and SO drivers may utilize radio communication."

[DtwSailor]

radio

Thanks! Will be testing this weekend to see if we can find a happy method...beware those on the water with me, my eyesight is not great for the clock, so hoping this will allow me to be closer to the front than my traditional last! The warning is not that I will be in front, but those that raced with me this year, all i saw was your wake as I could not see the clock.

[PRO-MOTIONRACING]

Soon we will be abel to stand on the shore and drive our boats by remote control.

[madstork]

I can see it now. Team Captain Charlie Fry commanding from the shore !!!

Charles Fry " Better than I deserve ".

Sincerely,

Doug Follett 87-P

[guedo499]

It is legal....I noticed Tom Smith in DSH using it during finals....I think it was a big help with the clock being hard to see. I will be using a radio next year at nationals. David

Dave, weren't you racing in the DSH finals?

[daveracerdsh]

Finals

Ya....he put his D stock in the water right next to me....had the radio earpiece in and stuff. I noticed it when he took helmet off.