TWhile the Vancouver crowd thought they were watching a regular WSX race, a test was taking place behind the scenes that could completely change Supercross, and by extension, motocross, in the long run. This time, it wasn't a motocross bike, but something the FIM has so far prohibited: radio communication between the pits and the rider.
The World Supercross Championship (WSX) is collaborating with Cardo Systems and the FIM on a technology that could usher in a whole new era of Supercross: radio communication between driver and team. While this has been commonplace in Formula 1, NASCAR, and other motorsports for decades, it has remained impossible in Supercross until now.
A test with great potential
During the Canadian GP, Daniel Blair and Jeff Emig had the opportunity to try out the new Cardo Packtalk Edge system. This helmet communication system is voice-activated, works via DMC Mesh™, and features advanced noise cancellation. Even amidst the chaos of a Supercross session, the connection remained clear and stable, as initial feedback showed.
For the first time, a rider could receive instant feedback during their lap. However, WSX riders were initially only allowed to test the system during free practice; the FIM prohibits any communication system during official sessions. The entire test was therefore canceled—although it appears to be a postponement, not a cancellation.
Communication that can save lives
The benefits are obvious. A simple notification to alert a fallen rider can prevent accidents before they happen. The system also offers strategic options: real-time lap times, engine and suspension feedback, and direct guidance on lines and rhythms.
Where teams have so far worked with pit boards and a lot of delays, information can soon be shared live — in the middle of a rhythm section or even while the rider is in the air over a triple jump.
The FIM prohibits external helmet components for safety reasons. A hard fall with an externally mounted component poses a real risk. Cardo appears to have solved this with an internally integrated module, fully incorporated into the helmet's structure. This makes the technology FIM-compliant and usable at the highest level.
Do the fans benefit from this too?
The impact extends beyond the paddock. Combined with action cameras like GoPro or Insta360, fans will soon be able to listen live to the communication between drivers and teams. Think of the communication in F1, where the reality of the race is reflected in the dialogue between the drivers and the pit wall: tactical instructions, frustrations, tension, and adrenaline—all in real time.
This creates a viewing experience that brings motorsport closer to the public than ever before. If the FIM approves this system in a few years—possibly as early as two—it would represent a fundamental revolution for Supercross. Strategic communication, safety signals, and real-time decisions would elevate the sport to a more professional and safer level.
Ricky Carmichael and Travis Pastrana's Opinion
Ricky Carmichael: "I think it's a great tool from both a rider's perspective and a coach's perspective, my personal wish is that we would have had that when I was racing."
Travis Pastrana: "It was a whole new experience for us to go out and talk through everything… just great to have that communication, not just on a professional level to help communicate with the other riders and cameramen, but also on a family level to keep the kids safe and give them confidence on the trails."
Tekst: Danny Hermans
Photos: Cardo Systems
