THE Armoy Road Races have just gone digital. Like so many other items of technology that have switched from analogue to digital the Armoy Road Races are no different. The radios used throughout the event, which provide the complete communications network, will now be digital providing a more secure radio network throughout the all of the racing. They will also be using for the first time some of the communications methods used at the international road races.
John Crichton, Manager of Communications at the Armoy Road Races, “The radios that we will be using are all digital. It makes for a much more secure network. No longer do we have the days where people can listen in to what is happening over the radio. We are also using for the first time the time clock at the Armoy. This technology is used at the international road races but this is the first national road race where we’ll be using it. This allows the pit crews to see live timing and retirements on the monitors. We’ll also be using the countdown instead of laps in the practice session.”
John Crichton along with wife, Valerie, and latest edition to the team, grandson Ryan Reilly, aged 16 and with two recent Distinctions in electronics, are no strangers to road racing but can be found in the communications hub of every road race around the country.
Bill Kennedy, Clerk of the Course at Armoy Road Races, said, “Communication is an instrumental part of our event. Without John’s work and that of the chief timekeeper, Richard Agnew, then life would be very difficult indeed. They are just like many others who give of their time to ensure we have a giant of a race. And just in case you didn’t realise the new digital age stretches to the Club being on Facebook – search for ‘AMRRC’ on Facebook and join the official fan page and you’ll also find us on twitter@ArmoyRoadRaces!”
