"Weatherman, Weatherman, got a copy?” – Every racer in Baja.
High atop El Diablo Mountain, also known as Picacho del Diablo or “Devil’s Peak”, is where you’ll find the Weatherman. El Diablo is the highest peak on the Baja peninsula, and at 10,000 feet, it makes the perfect location for race relay communications. Getting to the summit to set up an antenna and makeshift radio station on difficult roads in unpredictable weather is not so perfect. The peak is also known as Cerro de la Encantada, which means “Hill of the Enchanted” or “Hill of the Bewitched”.
Son of the original Weatherman, ORMHOF inductee Bob Steinberger, Scott has been part of the off-road racing family since an early age. Bob founded PCI Race Radios in 1972. The weatherman nickname came about in 1974, when Bob was putting communications in race vehicles for Bill Stroppe, Joe MacPherson, and Walker Evans – all three now Hall of Fame inductees. To make a makeshift antenna, Bob sent up three weather balloons with five hundred feet of coax attached, and the first successful radio relay from an off-road race pit was made. The story goes that it was Joe MacPherson who couldn’t remember Bob’s name, so he dubbed him “Weatherman” on the radio.
Bob provided often lifesaving radio relay communications from high atop El Diablo mountain during SCORE races for over 30 years. When Bob became ill with cancer in 2016, Scott stepped into the role of Weatherman for his father, who passed away in 2017. Scott continues to fulfill the Weatherman legacy in Baja and at other off-road races, in memory of his father.
Scott started his off-road career in 1990, racing in Mini-Mag, a class of small stature buggies with low horsepower motors, perfect for introducing kids to off-road. “The Steinberger name for many means Weatherman and today that is true of Scott's commitment to our sport, but for me I still see the youngster in his MiniMag. Tell me that doesn't bring a smile to your face, he certainly checks the box for years of service,” said ORMHOF inductee Cameron Steele.
The Mini-Mag class was a good fit for Scott, who brought home the Mini-Mag Class points championship for SCORE/HDRA in 1991, and SCORE in 1992. In 1995 Scott moved to Class 7S for stock mini trucks, winning the 1996 Baja 1000 in class and the SCORE Class 7S overall points championship.
1997 was a big year for Scott. He helped start Wide Open Tour Company, providing Baja off-road experience tours. The same year he started racing ProTruck, and won the class at the 1997 and 2000 Baja 500.
Scott Steinberger and a snowy friend atop Mt Diablo at the Weatherman Relay.
The family business came calling in 2000, and Scott took over the helm at PCI Race Radios. Scott still found time to race, earning one of the most impressive awards in off-road in 2002, the Toyota Milestone Award, presented to the very few who finish every mile of every race in the grueling SCORE International off-road racing series. A BITD ProTruck Class Championship followed in 2005.
While Scott had success as a racer, it is his work to continue the Weatherman legacy that will also be his legacy. He has added his own style to the Weatherman and his communication relays and coordination have saved countless lives both in the US and Mexico. The Weatherman coordinates not just for the safety of the racers and race teams, but for everyone on the course, including local traffic. Scott has stopped and checked in on people injured or hospitalized that he has helped and his concern for them doesn't stop once he leaves the mountain.
Mad Media CEO Matt Martelli told ORMHOF, “Scott Steinberger was born into off-road racing culture as the son of the legendary ‘Weatherman’ Bob Steinberger who was the godfather of off-road radio communications and safety. Scott quickly followed in his father's footsteps, taking the fledgling family business and growing into the backbone of communications in off-road racing. When his father became physically unable to execute his role as ‘The Weatherman’, Scott stepped in and not only took over the reins but modernized the communications at SCORE and The Mint 400. His contribution undoubtedly saved hundreds of lives. A racer, a businessman, and a father, Scott continues to contribute to the value of off-road racing culture on multiple levels.”
Scott Steinberger's Hall of Fame induction video.
Scott Steinberger's Hall of Fame acceptance speech.
