Expert Motorsport Advice
Expert Motorsport Advice on Race Radios, Helmets & Racing Equipment
Talk directly with experienced motorsport professionals. Whether you're setting up a race car, selecting a race radio system, choosing a helmet, or building a complete communications package, we can help.
Harris Race Radios is a motorsport specialist, not a general sporting goods retailer. Our advice comes from real experience across racing, race engineering, radio telecommunications, vehicle setup, safety equipment, and driver communications in New Zealand and Australia.
Areas We Can Help With
Race Helmets & Safety Equipment
- Which helmet standard you need, including SA2020, SA2025, FIA 8859, FIA 8860, or discipline-specific requirements
- MSNZ and Motorsport Australia compliance, including what may be accepted at scrutineering for your event
- Helmet brand and model selection, including Stilo, Bell, Schuberth, OMP, Roux, and more
- FHR / HANS device compatibility and fitting
- Racewear selection, including suits, gloves, boots, and FHR equipment to suit your requirements
- Visor tear-offs and fitment by helmet model for speedway, dirt track, and open-cockpit motorsport
Race Radios & Intercom Systems
- In-car intercom systems for driver-to-co-driver, driver-to-crew, and full multi-position setups
- Race radios for handheld, in-car, pit-to-crew, and team communication applications
- Headset and helmet speaker selection, including OTH, in-helmet, noise cancellation, and PTT wiring
- Speedway receiver systems, including hire versus purchase and track requirements
- Rally communications, including co-driver intercom, pace-note audio, and service-crew radio networks
- Radio licensing and legal compliance for NZ through RSM and Australia through ACMA, with Rex Harris certified for both
Race Car Setup & Alignment
- Four-wheel alignment methodology, including string lines, hub stands, slip plates, and camber gauges
- Which B-G Racing tools suit your car and discipline
- Setup processes for circuit, endurance, rally, and track-day use
- Interpreting alignment data, including toe, camber, castor, and thrust angle
- Building a complete DIY setup kit from scratch or starting with the essentials
Data Logging & Lap Timing
- AiM dash loggers and GPS systems, matched to your car, series, and budget
- Channel setup and sensor selection, including what to measure and why
- MyLaps transponders, including TR2 versus X2, hire versus purchase, and timing-system compatibility
- Alfano lap timers for karting and entry-level circuit use
Driver Comfort & Performance
- Driver cooling systems, including Chillout Systems selection, sizing, cockpit fit, and race duration
- Neck collars and head restraints, including what may be required versus recommended
- Seat, harness, helmet, and communications compatibility
How To Choose The Right Motorsport Equipment
The right equipment depends on the complete setup, not just the product name or the biggest specification. Before recommending a radio, helmet, headset, or data system, we look at the discipline, car, event requirements, number of users, cockpit noise, wiring, budget, and how the equipment needs to work together.
Start with your discipline and event requirements
Circuit racing, rally, speedway, karting, endurance, and offroad competition all create different communication and safety requirements. Start by checking the rules for your series or event, then match the equipment to the way you actually compete. A setup that works well in a closed circuit car may not be the right choice for a rally car, speedway receiver, or endurance team.
Match the helmet to the communications system
The helmet is the critical part of a motorsport communications system. Speaker clearance, microphone position, ear protection, visor configuration, helmet material, and available wiring all affect how well a radio or intercom system performs. Choosing the radio first can leave you with poor fitment, difficult wiring, or a helmet that is not suited to your driving position.
Plan the complete radio and intercom setup
Think through who needs to hear whom, where the radio will be mounted, how the push-to-talk control will be operated, and whether the system needs to support a driver, co-driver, crew, pit, or multiple cars. Frequency planning and licensing requirements also matter. In New Zealand, radio use may involve RSM requirements; in Australia, ACMA requirements apply. The correct answer depends on the equipment, frequency, location, and event.
Buy for the conditions you actually race in
Noise levels, race duration, weather, cockpit space, service access, and the number of events you attend should guide the decision. A lightweight headset may suit one application, while a fully integrated helmet communication system may be the better choice for another. We can help you avoid paying for features you do not need, or building a system that will need replacing after the first event.
Not Sure Where To Start?
Tell us your discipline, your car, your current setup, the event or series you compete in, and your budget. We'll tell you what we'd actually recommend and why. No sales pressure, just straight advice from people who race.
Why Ask Us?
Most motorsport retailers can tell you what's in stock. We can help explain what is likely to work in your car, with your helmet, radio, intercom, safety equipment, and race discipline, because we use this equipment ourselves and work with it at professional motorsport level.
Aaron Harris — Race Driver & Race Engineer
- Barcelona 24 Hour — 1st in Class (2013)
- Bathurst 1000 and 12 Hour competitor
- BMW Race Driver Series Champion (2011)
- Race engineer — Earl Bamber Motorsport, Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, Asia-Pacific & NZ, Toyota Gazoo Racing NZ, Matt Stone Racing (V8 Supercars), and TekworkX
- MSNZ Licence Examiner
- Active racing driver with current hands-on experience across multiple disciplines
Rex Harris is the radio telecommunications specialist behind our NZ and Australian motorsport communications advice. With motorsport radio experience since 1975 and certification experience across both markets, Rex helps teams choose practical, compliant systems for their cars and events.
Rex Harris — Radio Telecommunications Engineer
- Qualified Radio Telecommunications Engineer
- Approved Radio Certifier for New Zealand through RSM (ARC127) and Australia through ACMA
- Motorsport radio experience since 1975, starting at the Marlboro Series Grand Prix
- More than 50 years in motorsport engineering across New Zealand and Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a race radio licence?
It depends on the radio equipment, frequency, location, and how it is being used. New Zealand and Australia have different regulatory requirements, so confirm the requirements for your equipment and event before transmitting. We can help point you in the right direction.
What communication system is best for rally?
Rally setups commonly need clear driver-to-co-driver communication in a noisy cockpit, reliable microphone placement, suitable hearing protection, and practical wiring for helmets and push-to-talk controls. The best setup depends on the car, helmet, event, and whether service-crew communication is also required.
What radio system is best for speedway?
Speedway communication requirements vary by track and class. A receiver-only setup may be suitable in some applications, while others need a licensed two-way radio system. We can help compare hire and purchase options and match the equipment to the track requirements.
Can I add communications to my existing helmet?
Often, but fitment depends on the helmet shell, speaker pockets, liner, microphone position, available clearance, and the radio or intercom connector. We recommend checking compatibility before buying components separately.
How do I choose a motorsport helmet?
Start with your discipline, event regulations, required certification, seating position, FHR compatibility, communications needs, and budget. A helmet should be selected as part of the complete driver safety and communications system, not in isolation.
Can you help me build a complete communications package?
Yes. Send us your discipline, car, current helmet and radio equipment, number of drivers or crew, event requirements, and budget. We can help map out the complete setup and identify what you need now versus what can be added later.
Talk To A Motorsport Specialist
For technical advice on race car setup, helmet selection, radio systems, or any motorsport equipment question, contact Aaron directly:
Phone: +64 27 449 9654
Email: aaron@harriscomms.co.nz
Aaron is an active race engineer and racing driver. He responds personally and gives advice based on real experience, not just a spec sheet.
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