Race Radios™ Monitoring & Motorsport Communications Guide

Race radio is the official event communication system used by race officials to communicate important instructions directly to competitors and their teams. Harris Race Radios™ supplies one-way receivers for monitoring these event channels, along with professional dual-purpose radio systems that can combine Race Radio monitoring with permitted team communications.

Why competitors need to monitor race radio

Competitors may be required to monitor the appropriate race radio for their event, class or venue. This includes Speedway New Zealand, Speedway AU, wider AU motorsport, GT Members, endurance racing, MEGA Motorsport, Quin Tracks, special events and many individual racing classes, including hydroplane racing.

Requirements can vary by event organiser, venue and class. Always check the current supplementary regulations, competitor information and event instructions before racing.

How one-way race radio works

In a one-way race-radio system, race officials communicate directly to racers and their teams. The competitor listens to the official event channel through a receiver, helmet speakers or an earpiece. There is no return communication through the one-way receiver.

For Speedway, Speedway AU and other controlled event channels, the receiver is used for listening only. Do not transmit on the event channel. The important decision is choosing the correct primary programming for the event you are entering.

Primary programming is event-specific

Speedway, GT Members, MSNZ, MEGA Motorsport, GR86, TA2, GT and the Toyota FR Oceania Championship use different race-radio frequencies and programming. Some of these systems are digital. The receiver or professional radio system must be configured for the event you are entering. Other channels may be available where the equipment supports them, but different event systems should not be treated as interchangeable.

Primary use	What to confirm
Speedway NZ and Speedway AU	Confirm the Speedway event, venue channel and any required tone or CTCSS setting.
GT Members	Use the GT Members programming required for the relevant track or club event.
MSNZ	Confirm the MSNZ class or event programming before ordering.
MEGA Motorsport	Confirm the MEGA Motorsport frequency and programming for the event.
GR86, TA2 and GT	This is a digital race-radio group. Confirm the correct digital channel, programming and compatible equipment required by the event organiser.
Toyota FR Oceania Championship	This uses a digital race-radio system. Confirm the correct event channel and programming before ordering.
AU motorsport and special events	Confirm the event-specific race-radio channel and programming with the organiser or Harris Race Radios before ordering.

Choosing a receiver

Choose the receiver that matches your main racing use. A Speedway receiver is primarily programmed for Speedway. GT Members and MSNZ receivers are primarily programmed for their named event use.

• Speedway Approved One Way Receiver with Foam Earpieces — a Speedway-first receiver for one-way Race Control listening.
• GT Club Members Approved One Way Receiver — primarily set up for GT Members use.
• MSNZ Race Radio One Way Receiver — primarily set up for MSNZ use.
• Upgraded Harris Speedway & MSNZ Receiver — a higher-output Harris option with the primary event setup confirmed before dispatch.
• Standard Harris Speedway Receiver — a practical Speedway receiver option.

Why choose Nitro Bee Xtreme?

The Nitro Bee Xtreme is the multi-system option in the Harris Race Radios range. It can be programmed across the listed race-radio systems, making it the flexible choice for competitors, teams and officials who attend different types of events.

Nitro Bee also has a display that shows the selected race-radio system in words, along with the battery condition. That makes it easier to confirm which race radio is selected before going on track and to check whether the receiver needs charging.

Professional dual-purpose radio systems

A professional radio system can be configured as a dual-purpose setup. It can monitor the required Race Radio while also providing permitted pit-to-car and car-to-pit communication through compatible radios, intercoms and helmet systems.

This is different from a receive-only one-way event receiver. The monitoring function and the team-communication function must be configured correctly for the vehicle, helmet, intercom and event requirements. Monitoring the appropriate Race Radio remains essential wherever the event rules require it.

Explore the professional dual-purpose options:

• Entry Level Analog Motorola Motorsport Radio System with Race Radio™ — an entry-level analogue-only team-communications system with Race Radio monitoring capability.
• Motorola DP3400 Professional Digital Motorsport Radio System — a professional digital system that can combine team communications with Race Radio monitoring when correctly configured.
• Motorola DP3600 Programmable Display Motorsport Radio System — a programmable digital system for combined Race Radio monitoring and team communications, subject to the required setup.

Tell Harris Race Radios the car, helmet, intercom, event and communication requirements before ordering so the system can be configured correctly.

Pre-race checklist

• Confirm the event, class and venue you are racing at.
• Confirm the primary Race Radio programming matches that event.
• Check whether the event uses an analogue or digital race-radio system.
• Charge the receiver or radio and check the battery before leaving for the track.
• Turn it on and confirm that the expected Race Radio channel is received.
• Test the earpiece, helmet speakers, intercom and push-to-talk controls.
• Secure the receiver or radio and confirm the installation cannot interfere with driving controls.
• Do not transmit on a controlled one-way event channel.
• Ask Harris Race Radios if the event programming or system configuration is unclear.

Frequency and licensing reminder

Race-radio frequencies and radio services are subject to the applicable requirements of the relevant authorities, including RSM in New Zealand and ACMA in Australia. Do not program or transmit on a frequency unless you are authorised to use it and it is permitted for your event. Follow the current instructions of the event organiser and ask Harris Race Radios if you are unsure.

Frequently asked questions

What is race radio?

Race radio is the official event communication channel used by race officials to send instructions and information to competitors and their teams. A one-way receiver lets the competitor monitor those communications.

Do Speedway competitors need to monitor race radio?

Speedway New Zealand, Speedway AU and other event organisers can require competitors to monitor the appropriate race radio. Confirm the current requirement for your event, class and venue before racing.

Are the different race-radio systems interchangeable?

No. Speedway, GT Members, MSNZ, MEGA Motorsport, GR86, TA2, GT and Toyota FR Oceania Championship systems can use different frequencies, programming and equipment. Choose the primary programming for the event you are entering and confirm the setup before ordering.

Which receiver is best if I attend different types of events?

Nitro Bee Xtreme is the flexible multi-system option because it can be programmed across the listed race-radio systems. Its display identifies the selected race-radio system and shows the battery condition.

Can a professional radio system monitor Race Radio as well as provide team communications?

Yes. A correctly configured Harris Race Radios professional radio system can combine Race Radio monitoring with permitted pit-to-car and car-to-pit communication. It must be matched to the vehicle, helmet, intercom and event requirements, and it does not remove any obligation to monitor the appropriate Race Radio.

Can I transmit on the Speedway Race Control channel?

No. Speedway competitors must use the event receiver for listening to Race Control only. Do not transmit on a controlled Speedway or other one-way event channel. Use only frequencies and radio services you are authorised to use under the applicable RSM, ACMA and event requirements.

What should I do if I am unsure which programming or system I need?

Tell Harris Race Radios the event, class, venue, car and communication requirements before ordering. We can help identify the correct primary programming and compatible receiver or dual-purpose professional radio system.

Shop Speedway receiver parts, helmet audio and accessories | Compare Speedway race radios and receivers

Event rules, required frequencies, programming and permitted transmission can change. Always follow the current instructions issued by the event organiser or controlling body.