Pit Board

A Pit Board is a handheld sign that racing teams hold up to display important information to their driver as they speed past the pit area during a race or practice session.

Think of a Pit Board as a low-tech text message for race car drivers. While modern motorsport uses sophisticated radio systems, teams still rely on these simple display boards as a visual way to communicate with drivers traveling at speeds over 100 miles per hour. A crew member stands at the pit wall and holds the board through an opening in the safety fence at the same spot every lap, making it easy for the driver to glance at it without breaking concentration.

The information shown on a Pit Board is carefully chosen to be the most critical data a driver needs at that moment. Common messages include the driver's current position in the race, how many seconds they are ahead of or behind nearby competitors, and how many laps remain. Teams use large, bold letters and numbers that can be read in just a second or two as the car flashes by.

One of the most important messages displayed on pit boards is the instruction to "BOX," which is racing terminology telling the driver to come into the pit lane on the next lap for a pit stop. Other coded messages might indicate fuel strategy, tire conditions, or track position relative to competitors. Each team develops their own shorthand that the driver learns to interpret instantly.

Pit boards serve as an essential backup communication method when radio systems fail or when messages might be missed due to engine noise or driver concentration. Even when radios work perfectly, the visual reinforcement of seeing information on the board helps drivers process critical data without distraction. This redundancy ensures that important strategic information always gets through.

The design of pit boards has evolved over decades but remains fundamentally simple. Most consist of a flat panel with slots or clips to hold changeable numbers and letters. Some teams use chalkboards or whiteboards that can be quickly updated between laps. The key is making the display large enough and clear enough to read at racing speeds.

During practice and qualifying sessions, pit boards might show lap times, sector times, or how much time remains in the session. This helps drivers manage their run plans and know when to push for a fast lap. In endurance racing, where races can last many hours, pit boards become even more important for communicating complex strategy information to drivers who may be managing fuel consumption or adapting to changing weather conditions.

While technology has advanced dramatically in motorsport, with teams now able to send telemetry data and detailed messages through digital displays in the car, the traditional pit board remains a fixture at race tracks worldwide. Its simplicity, reliability, and instant readability make it an irreplaceable tool in a racing team's communication arsenal.