World Speed Trials Australia

Officials Procedures

COURSE SPOTTER

1.		The Course Spotter is responsible for observing the track area given to the station. Typically at 1 mile intervals. The Course Spotter calls out on the radio, race vehicles as they pass the location. The Course Spotter calls out any abnormalities noticed on a race vehicle such as smoke, chute out, etc. The Course Spotter is the eyes and ears of the Course Controller and are an important part of track safety.
	a.	Any physical problems with the track equipment are called in to the Race Control Tower on the course DLRA private radio channel
	b.	Calling in an "all clear" on the course control radio when a racing or support vehicle exits the track to the safety line in the area assigned to your station and there are no other vehicles on the track in your area
	c.	Calling in an incident to the Race Control Tower should one occur in your area of observation. Remain at your station and monitor the radio. Rescue personnel only will attend to the accident scene. Keep crew and staff away from the incident and at your location until authorized to release them to the scene by the course controller.
	d.	Should an event service vehicle or entrant support vehicle wish to enter the track for a legitimate reason they will be given permission by the Race Control Tower ONLY; they must check in with your station before proceeding on to the track. In this instance you must call the Race Control Tower and announce that a vehicle has entered the track at your location number. When that vehicle clears the track to the safety line you must call in course clear at your location.
	e.	Before the Starter can release a bike on course the course must be clear and it is the responsibility of the Course Spotter to ensure this is the case
	f.	Monitor the course operation frequency on your radio and if you hear a vehicle ready to be released on course and the course is not clear- immediately call the Race Control Tower and Starter to let them know the course is not clear. Should this event happen all course monitor stations should begin waving the red flag. This red flag will only be done on the instruction of the Race Control tower unless radio communications are inoperative
	g.	Hand Held Radio Procedure: i. Receiving - turn the radio on and volume to high. 1. Turn squelch off until static is heard and then turn squelch up until the static stops. This will give the best reception. 2. Keep the radio near so you can hear all the traffic and be ready to transmit quickly ii. Transmitting - listen to make sure other traffic is done. 1. Press the transmit button firmly (wait 3 seconds before you speak) 2. Identify yourself and state your message, “This is mile 5, course is clear” iii. If the course is clear- state Course Clear iv. If the course is NOT CLEAR - state Course Blocked this way we have 2 distinctly different sounding words which will not be confused v. Hold the radio with the antenna in a vertical orientation only
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2		Remember as Course Spotters our primary responsibility is safety. Having 2 vehicles on the course at the same time is the worst condition we can have. It is your responsibility to prevent this, always err on the side of caution. If there is any question about the track being clear always report this to the Race Control Tower. If we have to we will sweep the track to be sure it is clear and this is a far better option than causing an accident

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