WHAT DOES RTE DO?
Whatever it takes.
For years, there was a common question within the motorsport community: "Those RTE guys are everywhere...what do they do?" The simple answer is "whatever it takes".
RTE's roots run deep in the grassroots motorsport community, while our client portfolio encompasses the most historic and prestigious professional events in North America. So, what does the Daytona 500 have in common with the Pikes Peak Hill Climb and how do Jumbotrons & PA System at Indianapolis Motor Speedway correlate with the Automated Flagging System at Miami's Concours Club? RaceTrack Engineering is the common link between these, and so many more events and facilities throughout North America. For RTE, RTExcellence isn't about budget, it's a "whatever it takes" mentality to solving problems and creating one-of-a-kind motorsport events...no matter the size, grandeur...or lack thereof.
This vast experience, combined with a technological background, yields a unique position for RaceTrack Engineering in the market. Ultimately, RTE is a "solutions" provider. Whether it's off-the-shelf technology, a completely custom software solution or simply teaching the existing staff a new operational process, RTE's mission is to be a valued asset to it's partners.
RTE's solutions are divided into three segments; Design, Installation and Operation. This three legged approach, tabbed The RTE Factor, is not a clever marketing campaign, but rather the working mantra of RaceTrack Engineering. From the initial project concept, the implementation all the way through training and racing operations, RTE's mission is to ensure that investments in technology not only solve the unique problems of our sport, but provide value and growth for the industry.
Circuit systems
Video officiating
SPECIAL EVENTS OPERATION
pre-race production
audio system management
video officiating replay
digital flagging
circuit automation
timing & scoring
special event production
race control operations
competition cameras
circuit control design
The following are a highlight of The RTE Factor in practice:
the concours club
DESIGN
Motorsport enthusiast, and Chicago developer Niel Gehani, dreamed of creating a state-of-the-art private motorsport facility just outside of Miami. Neil hired an all-star team to execute his revolutionary vision, including Dave Dusick and Scot Elkins.
From day one, RTE worked closely with the engineering and architecture teams to design an integrated TrackSide Network infrastructure. In addition to Timing & Positioning, Digital Flagging and Video Officiating systems, RTE was tasked with developing the very first Automated Digital Flagging System. Through partnerships with a myriad of technology vendors, RTE was able to integrate multiple technologies to design a system for the 1.9 mile circuit that required no human circuit workers outside the paddock for daily operation.
the concours club
installation
Upon procurement, RTE assembled, configured and tested the entire integrated system in the RTE Shop. This advance effort increased the success potential for the installation process. Once the dirt started moving, Team RTE trekked to Miami to transform the Concours Club dream into reality. RTE's on-site presence managed this transformation from drawings and specifications to devices and systems. In the end, nearly one-hundred network devices were installed and commissioned with ease
the concours club
OPERATION
With this innovative technological solution in place, it was time to go green! RTE's motorsport operational experience, combined with their unique status as system-designers, made them the perfect partner to work with TCC Staff to create daily operational processes and guidelines. Upon smooth operation, RTE built intricate support books and operational guidelines, along with training proficiency checklists in order to ensure smooth operations upon RTE departure. In the end, TCC operates nearly three-hundred days annually utilizing minimal staff as a result of the three-legged Design-Installation-Operation approach of the RTE Factor.
Other projects:
DESIGN
Rocky Mountain Motorsports
As a ground-up new build motorsport country club, RMM tasked RTE with designing a long-term plan for circuit technology. The resulting RTE Technology Implementation Plan encompassed a complete Trackside Network, GPS Positioning, Transponder Timing, Electronic Flagging and Video Officiating. Furthermore, the network configuration included expansion for public wifi, sound monitoring, professional series paddock networks and more. This design brief, complete with drawings and specifications, provided a future-proof foundation for RMM to release RFP's and proceed with installation.
DESIGN
COTA Landline
"Dry Pair" analog-telephone-style Marshal Communication systems are still prevalent to this day in nearly every motorsport road course in North America. As these systems decay and become outdated, most facilities resort to RF radio communication. However, many major sanctioning organizations are requiring the use of an open comm "party line" system. Faced with this dilemma, Circuit of the Americas partnered with RTE to design a network based "party line" system that was a hybrid digital-analog system that utilized the extensive TrackSide Network at COTA. Although, the system was tested with success, it was never implemented as designed at COTA. It has, however, become a foundation for future Comm System designs and installations.
DESIGN
Eldora Speedway
Known as "The World's Greatest Dirt Track", the famed half-mile, high-banked clay oval track hosts everything from the world's biggest dirt races to local weekly racing. Because of this, the demands of fan experience amenities vary greatly from week to week. RTE worked closely with Eldora Speedway to create a custom Audio System that was ready for RTE connect the pre-race ceremonies with FOX TV & MRN for the NASCAR Truck Series event, but yet able to sufficiently operated by the weekly announcer the next week. The core components of this Audio System have been in use for nearly two decades at Eldora Speedway.
INSTALLATION
Autobahn Country Club
The Autobahn Country Club was the nation's very first private motorsport country club. They operate six-days-a-week in season with very little downtime. Upon a completed RTE Technology Implementation Plan, team RTE went to work on installing, configuring and training Autobahn staff on a Circuit Video System that would also be used to create a first-of-its-kind YouTube Circuit Live Stream. RTE completed the installation all within the constraints of the Autobahn on-track schedule with zero loss of scheduled track time.
INSTALLATION
Private Circuit
Unknown to the average person, there are several private motorsports circuits in North America. These circuits are utilized by the owners can be used for personal and corporate events, but rarely used for competitive racing. A private owner contacted RTE with the hopes of "modernizing" their private facility, while also increasing the safety standards. In conjunction with RTE Partner, TEG Motorsports Consulting, RTE created a Technology Implementation Plan according the owner's request. Because the owner had construction ties, RTE then served as an Installation Manager. This allowed for private labor and construction, while being managed by RTE to ensure the proper execution of the RTE Design Plan. Since RTE's work with this site, this facility is now scheduled to begin holding club and competitive racing events.
OPERATION
NASCAR CompCams
In 2023, NASCAR ventured into the unknown of temporary street racing. The unprecedented Chicago Street Race was held on a 12-turn, 2.2 mile temporary race course encompasses historical Chicago landmarks Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue and Grant Park. Thanks to a long term race control relationship at IMS, RTE partnered with NASCAR to build a temporary Circuit Video System. This system augments television production cameras and provide circuit-specific video to a temporary Race Control housed in production truck in the TV Compound. The Chicago project was a resounding success, and resulted in a long term agreement to provide Circuit Video for all Road Courses and a dedicated 4-cam system weekly for the oval events.
OPERATION
IndyCar
Video Officiating (instant replay) has become extremely prevalent in sporting in the last decade, including in motorsport. With the advancement of fan-videos, in-car technology and sophisticated data systems, it's imperative that Race Control officials maintain a technological and visual advantage over the competitors. Known innovators, IndyCar invested in a state-of-the-art Video Officiating System. Because this system had never been used with car racing, understanding how to adapt this tool to the unique attributes of IndyCar racing was paramount. In conjunction with the IndyCar IT & Innovation Department, RaceTrack Engineering was hired to assist in setup and configuration, while also providing a weekly Video Officiating Operator. This system has since been retired, but the success of the IndyCar Video Officiating system provided a foundation for a significant growth in Video Officiating in the industry as whole.
OPERATION
Road to Indy (USFPro Championships)
Along with IndyCar, Andersen Promotions operates the USFPro Championships (formerly Road to Indy) as a support series ladder-system similar to the NASCAR Cup, XFinity, Truck ladder. For years, these races were primarily held as companion events on IndyCar weekends. However, during COVID, USFPro ventured into "stand alone" events without the IndyCar infrastructure. As a long term technology partner to Andersen Promotions, RTE developed a portable TrackSide Wireless Network, specific to Race Control technology. This network housed 16 Circuit Video cameras and provided crucial Video Officiating information to Race Control to allow these "stand alone" events to function as near the the IndyCar level events as possible. This portable RTE Video System has since been utilized by many sanctioning bodies and events, including Pirelli World Challenge (SRO), SCCA Pro Formula Regional Championships, TransAm and the SCCA Runoffs.
OPERATION
NASCAR Track Limits
The words "Track Limits" are the words-never-spoken in nearly every Race Control around the world. Properly officiating track limits is a common difficulty for Race Directors in every series. Fortunately, RTE Technological Partners, Al Kamel Systems, have developed a sophisticated digital Track Limits Officiating System. While in use around the world for a years, this technology was not widely used in North America until 2024. RTE, with Al Kamel Remote Support, provide this service to NASCAR at specific events where course border penalties are in effect.
"The good thing is he's willing to do whatever it is that we ask, and he will bend over backwards to do it. That's what's great about RTE.”
