How to Communicate Like a Pro | The Art of Calm Communication at the Racetrack | Inside the SCCA episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 16, 2026 · 1H

How to Communicate Like a Pro | The Art of Calm Communication at the Racetrack | Inside the SCCA

from The Racing Network · host Brian Bielanski

What separates a good communicator from a great communicator?In this episode of Inside the SCCA, Brian Bielanski sits down with Nikki Prevenas, veteran Flag Chief and Race Control Communicator, to break down how effective communication keeps drivers safe and races running smoothly.From radio etiquette and landlines vs radios, to training new communicators, staying calm during major incidents, and real-world role-play scenarios from Road America, this episode is a must-watch for:New SCCA flaggers & communicatorsExperienced workers looking to sharpen their race control skillsDrivers who want insight into how calls are made behind the scenesYou’ll hear exactly what race control needs to know, how to say it, and why calm communication matters more than anything else—even when cars are upside down and on fire.👉 Whether you’re working a regional at Blackhawk Farms or a Runoffs-level event, this episode gives you practical, transferable skills you can use immediately.Watch until the end for live communication role-play and breakdowns of good vs bad radio calls.Instagram: @trnupdates Twitter: @TRN_Updates TikTok: trn_updates Twitch: @greybeardsimracer Partners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! William R. Pintaric and Associates. David Pintaric is a long-time SCCA racer. He's also the Principal at the investment and financial planning firm William R. Pintaric and Associates. Check them out at https://www.wrpintaric.com/ Solo Performance Specialties - Learn more at https://soloperformance.com/ – Check out SPS for all your autocross racing needs. Babyface Fabrication – https://www.babyfacefabrication.com/ – Josh has two decades of experience as a fabricator, most recently working for championship winning NASCAR teams. He has more than 70 wins in the top three NASCAR series, along with multiple championships and a little success racing his own cars and snowmobiles. Full Send Sims – The Official Sim Rig of Inside the SCCA. https://fullsendsims.com/ Ray Esports is the official sim racing league of the Inside the SCCA podcasts -- from the "Unofficial SCCA eSports Racing Leagues on Tuesday nights, to the weekend warrior leagues on Saturday and Sunday. Go to rayesportsracing.com for all the info you need. About Brian: Brian has lived a parallel life of motorsports and journalism for more than 30 years. He started in motorsports in 1986 as his father’s 16-year-old “crew chief” on SCCA FV, Sports Renault and IT Honda CRX efforts. He has also competed in, and plans to compete again, in SCCA Club racing, Autocross and Road Rally. He's an award winning journalist who has worked in news in network staff positions with CNN and CBS and local news in seven markets from LaCrosse, Wisconsin to New York and Los Angeles. In 2009 he founded RacingWire, one of the first web-only motorsports news services given credentialed access at NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA events. He currently hosts several podcasts including “Inside the SCCA” and is an editor/producer for KNX 97.1FM NewsRadio in Los Angeles.

What separates a good communicator from a great communicator?In this episode of Inside the SCCA, Brian Bielanski sits down with Nikki Prevenas, veteran Flag Chief and Race Control Communicator, to break down how effective communication keeps drivers safe and races running smoothly.From radio etiquette and landlines vs radios, to training new communicators, staying calm during major incidents, and real-world role-play scenarios from Road America, this episode is a must-watch for:New SCCA flaggers & communicatorsExperienced workers looking to sharpen their race control skillsDrivers who want insight into how calls are made behind the scenesYou’ll hear exactly what race control needs to know, how to say it, and why calm communication matters more than anything else—even when cars are upside down and on fire.👉 Whether you’re working a regional at Blackhawk Farms or a Runoffs-level event, this episode gives you practical, transferable skills you can use immediately.Watch until the end for live communication role-play and breakdowns of good vs bad radio calls.Instagram: @trnupdates Twitter: @TRN_Updates TikTok: trn_updates Twitch: @greybeardsimracer Partners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! William R. Pintaric and Associates. David Pintaric is a long-time SCCA racer. He's also the Principal at the investment and financial planning firm William R. Pintaric and Associates. Check them out at https://www.wrpintaric.com/ Solo Performance Specialties - Learn more at https://soloperformance.com/ – Check out SPS for all your autocross racing needs. Babyface Fabrication – https://www.babyfacefabrication.com/ – Josh has two decades of experience as a fabricator, most recently working for championship winning NASCAR teams. He has more than 70 wins in the top three NASCAR series, along with multiple championships and a little success racing his own cars and snowmobiles. Full Send Sims – The Official Sim Rig of Inside the SCCA. https://fullsendsims.com/ Ray Esports is the official sim racing league of the Inside the SCCA podcasts -- from the "Unofficial SCCA eSports Racing Leagues on Tuesday nights, to the weekend warrior leagues on Saturday and Sunday. Go to rayesportsracing.com for all the info you need. About Brian: Brian has lived a parallel life of motorsports and journalism for more than 30 years. He started in motorsports in 1986 as his father’s 16-year-old “crew chief” on SCCA FV, Sports Renault and IT Honda CRX efforts. He has also competed in, and plans to compete again, in SCCA Club racing, Autocross and Road Rally. He's an award winning journalist who has worked in news in network staff positions with CNN and CBS and local news in seven markets from LaCrosse, Wisconsin to New York and Los Angeles. In 2009 he founded RacingWire, one of the first web-only motorsports news services given credentialed access at NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA events. He currently hosts several podcasts including “Inside the SCCA” and is an editor/producer for KNX 97.1FM NewsRadio in Los Angeles.

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How to Communicate Like a Pro | The Art of Calm Communication at the Racetrack | Inside the SCCA

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What separates a good communicator from a great communicator?In this episode of Inside the SCCA, Brian Bielanski sits down with Nikki Prevenas, veteran Flag Chief and Race Control Communicator, to break down how effective communication keeps drivers...

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