The Weatherman has been a staple of SCORE races for over 40 years, starting with Bob Steinberger before his son Scott took over in 2017. Saturday’s season-opening San Felipe 250 will mark the end of an era as the final race where Steinberger uses a VHF relay to communicate with teams.

For the Baja 500 in June, the Weatherman will operate on a VoIP connection. This means teams must get a Starlink connection in order to speak with him. Calls are to be made for emergencies while status updates will be done via text.

“This will be my last VHF relay,” said Steinberger on Friday. “Shutting down something my dad did for a lot of years because of technology. The technology is that we’re going to do it voice over IP, which means you need to have LTE, cell phone or wi-fi, which means you need Starlink. For those of you who don’t have Starlink that are seeing this video, have it before the 500. If you don’t have Starlink at the 500, you will not be able to talk to the Weatherman.

“Have a safe race tomorrow and let’s see some dust in the morning early.”

PCI has long used a VHF (very high frequency) relay channel. It is a two-way system that allows crews to report on-track news like retirements and incidents, which Steinberger can speak back or wire updates to listeners on the channel.

However, analog radio has been phased out in recent years as teams embrace digital options. Starlink, a satellite communications array run by SpaceX, has proven popular because it allows everyone to stay online even through remote parts of the desert. VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) instead requires the use of an IP via the Internet, which is more convenient and easier in this day and age.

While this means race livestreams can continue for the entire duration with little disconnect, it’s a major change from a battle-tested system that many still love. For the bigger teams, drivers can now speak to their crews directly, making Weatherman obsolete to a degree.

During last September’s Baja 400, Steinberger remarked over the channel, “Need for the Weatherman relay is sunsetting. I need something to do up here, I’m bored.”

“Put on some horse track races please,” one crewman responded. “Tell some of your dad’s jokes.”

Another added, “Still love you, Weatherman.”

Featured image credit: PCI Race Radios