According to Stibbard the average cost for installing an efficient two way system between one car and the pit has worked out at $1200. Even then there have only been a limited number of bands available in the Bathurst area and the few weeks leading up to the race has seen a scrabble amongst top competitors to secure those in existence. Local taxi services, delivery men, electricians - in fact anyone with a two way in his car, has been fair game in the hustle to rent a radio.
Ivan Stibbard sees this year as little more than a test of the two-way system: "Undoubtedly they work - professionals like Moffat have been on to us for some time now to use them."
Curiously, the decision to finally legalise the radios, seems to have been made only because it appears one of the visiting internationals had found a way around the regulations.
According to Stibbard local regulations stated that "two way radio fitment to cars was not permitted." Johnny Rutherford had a set which is fitted only to himself - the driver.
Ironically drivers concerned about adding even the slightest burden to their car's electrical systems (something else to go wrong) may well be using the Rutherford system if not this year, certainly the next.