Ever wondered what it would be like to ride onboard during a lap of the most testing of World Supercross tracks? We have teamed up with Cardo Systems to work on ways to bring the sport to life for those viewers at home, while also promoting feedback between a rider and their pitcrew.

Communication in any business is crucial. Whether it be a warning about a possible hazard or a piece of advice to improve performance, getting that message across is vital.

When it comes to live sport, it is also essential. A message from the coach on the touchline about a tactical play or indeed feedback about an injury or substitution can be a game changer.

In motorsport, we have seen how radio communication between a driver and their pit crew is essential. In NASCAR there are spotters and in F1 it would be a driver’s race engineer who is responsible for keeping a driver informed, ensuring safety warnings for hazards or providing help with a strategic decision.

However, such practice is less prevalent in racing on two wheels with the majority of communication between a rider and their team being done with a rudimentary pinboard shown each lap.

However, the World Supercross Championship is working with Cardo Systems and the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (or FIM) to come up with an approved system that would not only allow riders to talk to their team, but in theory also could be used to provide feedback for TV viewers.

WHAT IS IT?

At this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix during practice, riders can test the Cardo Packtalk Edge and Edgephones for rider-mechanic communication. It’s a hands-free, voice-activated system that allows for 2-way communication on track. 

It features DMC Mesh technology – so no crossed wires – and the sound is loud enough to hear in race scenarios, and has ambient noise cancelling. The idea is to improve safety by giving riders an added set of eyes while they’re on track.

HOW CAN IT HELP?

Last weekend at the season-opening Buenos Aires, it could have been used to warn riders about a possible danger ahead when riders made contact on the opening laps. A simple message such as: “Rider down, stay left in the whoops,” could have prevented any accident.

The system also improves efficiency on the track by allowing mechanics to call out time left in sessions, lap times, and what they need to improve on.

Riders can provide feedback on suspension and motor settings. The system also allows us to capture the audio to use for content and also pairs directly to the new Insta360 and GoPros, integrating the audio directly to the footage.

WHERE HAS IT BEEN USED?

Cardo Systems has been running trials in non-AMA and FIM-sanctioned racing for quite a while, but testing in supercross settings with both World Supercross and AMA Supercross for a few years.

At the moment, it is not FIM approved for competition. The hang-up has been mounting anything on the outside of the helmet (not FIM approved from a safety aspect), but Cardo Systems has designed a new configuration that they plan to reveal at this weekend’s Canadian GP with the unit built inside a rider’s helmet.

If it’s given the green light, it could revolutionise supercross and the way riders communicate while also providing us at home with real-time added insight from a rider’s perspective.

FIND OUT ABOUT THE CANADIAN GP HERE

WSX Story and image