When the topic of spotting in motorsports comes up, many people tend to think about the radio chatter heard on NASCAR racing broadcasts. Teams will designate one crew member to stand on top of the main grandstand so they can tell their driver where other cars are on the track when racing in closely-bunched packs. It has become such an important part of stock car racing that track have developed a specialized area for these crew members to work from.

But, racing on a road course is a different beast. With a few exceptions, one crew member cannot see the entire track. So, what is the role of a spotter when it comes to racing on courses that wind over changing terrain? Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of a sports car spotter from Chris Long, brother of Mazda race driver Tom Long. He discusses some of his experiences and how he views his position on the race team.

Follow this link to learn more about this skill on MazdaMotorsports.com.

Image: A group of tightly-bunched cars dashed through the Bus Stop in the Spec Miata during the Runoffs Presented by Garmin VIRB at Daytona International Speedway.
Credig: Jay Bonvouloir