Race Spotters - The New From Above

On the other hand, a family member too afraid to react is just as bad. If there isn't a 25-foot hole for the driver to drive through, the spotter doesn't clear the car and most of the race is spent out of the groove, with a one-car crash too often the result. Racing is very emotional, and the spotter is one member of the team who must remain in the middle of the scale, calm and collected. The goal for a spotter is to be smooth and consistent, with a steady voice of logic, reason, and accuracy.

It's important to find a spotter who understands racing, driving, and the rules needed to help a driver. Racing is about finishing ahead of everybody else at the end of the last lap of the race. A good spotter can coach a driver through traffic without the driver having to abuse his equipment. There is no reason to abuse tires and brakes on Lap 20 of a 100-lap race, and the spotter needs to be able to recognize what is going on and relay that information to the driver.

Ideally, the spotter can recognize when the driver is in a bad situation while negotiating traffic and can calmly relay pertinent information concerning the position of other cars. A spotter must also be able to understand driving techniques well enough to help a driver get out of on-track messes as soon as possible. A driver never wants a spotter telling him to do something that just can't be done, further complicating matters.

Another area in this category is knowledge of the rules. This is something a spotter can add to the program that can potentially win or lose a race. Drivers and crew chiefs can get so wrapped up in the moment that little things are forgotten-until a penalty is assessed.

To avoid penalties against the team, a good spotter should:

* Make sure the driver doesn't pit the car across the line on either side of the pit box (an infraction that usually results in a one-lap penalty or forces the driver to back the car up after the car is being attended to, resulting in a lost lap).

* Make sure the driver passes on the correct side on a restart (an infraction that typically draws a stop-and-go penalty or costs the team two finishing positions at the end of the race).

* Make sure the driver knows the rules on pulling up or not pulling up to the pace car to pit (resulting in a one-lap penalty if you did incorrectly or resulting in the loss of a lap if you could and didn't).

These are just some of the many examples where the spotter can make a huge contribution to the race team. A spotter should also plan to attend the pre-race drivers' meeting-with a pen and notepad in hand. This will be a big plus and save a lot of aggravation throughout the racing season, while potentially giving the team improved finishes.

A driver should look for certain qualities in his spotter. One of the foremost issues is finding someone the driver likes and who shares a similar attitude. A driver trying to win a championship should look for a spotter willing to help do that. A driver just trying to finish a race and have fun should get a spotter expecting to do the same. There is nothing more annoying on the radio than someone who isn't getting the big picture of what the team is trying to accomplish.

Choosing a spotter requires a lot more effort than just handing someone a radio and telling him or her to get on top of the truck. The search for a good spotter is another piece of the racing puzzle-one that should be taken very seriously.

Teams should choose wisely, and then the driver and spotter should work together to develop a line of communication. Doing so will ensure that the driver gets what he likes and needs when on the racetrack.