Getting 'race fit'
Discussion
This may very well be the stupidest post on PH, but here goes.
I'm reasonably quick in a go-kart, car, whatever. I know how to drive, and appear to have been blessed with the tiniest, almost negligible, amount of talent. I wouldn't believe it myself but I've gone up against a few 'pro' racers and finished reasonably. I am under no illusions, if I put myself on any serious grid - I'd be destroyed.
I've always kept reasonably fit, through running, cycling and more recently swimming. Some weights too. I'd like to be finishing near the top of the Triathlon ranks next year, to give an indication.
Recently I've done no karting, and my bike has been sorely neglected. I do enjoy playing GT5 online, using a G25 wheel and a good setup, as it does keep your eye in, I think, and I've no other way of racing - so it's my only choice Ha! But again, my PS3 has been gathering dust for months now.
Ill (finally) get to the point. I've got a karting enduro race coming up and so we've been putting in some practice and testing. Previously, at full fitness and biking loads, I could balance that kart on the limit with total confidence, make no mistakes and be as quick as anyone. Recently though, having little time on the bike, and no GT5, I found throwing the kart around a real test. My mind was always thinking about how solid that wall looked, how fast I'd hit it, and really struggled with confidently drifting around corners. I'm sh*t, in other words.
This time two month ago, during my quieter moments, I was constantly scaring myself at how seemingly fearless I'd become when faced with driving or riding anything.
Now, I'm as meek as my Dad.
Where's it gone?! Does anyone else have this problem? How do you train to race, and what can I do in two weeks?! I have a real problem with losing, I'm NOT letting the side down come this enduro!!!
(Sorry for the long post)
I'm reasonably quick in a go-kart, car, whatever. I know how to drive, and appear to have been blessed with the tiniest, almost negligible, amount of talent. I wouldn't believe it myself but I've gone up against a few 'pro' racers and finished reasonably. I am under no illusions, if I put myself on any serious grid - I'd be destroyed.
I've always kept reasonably fit, through running, cycling and more recently swimming. Some weights too. I'd like to be finishing near the top of the Triathlon ranks next year, to give an indication.
Recently I've done no karting, and my bike has been sorely neglected. I do enjoy playing GT5 online, using a G25 wheel and a good setup, as it does keep your eye in, I think, and I've no other way of racing - so it's my only choice Ha! But again, my PS3 has been gathering dust for months now.
Ill (finally) get to the point. I've got a karting enduro race coming up and so we've been putting in some practice and testing. Previously, at full fitness and biking loads, I could balance that kart on the limit with total confidence, make no mistakes and be as quick as anyone. Recently though, having little time on the bike, and no GT5, I found throwing the kart around a real test. My mind was always thinking about how solid that wall looked, how fast I'd hit it, and really struggled with confidently drifting around corners. I'm sh*t, in other words.
This time two month ago, during my quieter moments, I was constantly scaring myself at how seemingly fearless I'd become when faced with driving or riding anything.
Now, I'm as meek as my Dad.
Where's it gone?! Does anyone else have this problem? How do you train to race, and what can I do in two weeks?! I have a real problem with losing, I'm NOT letting the side down come this enduro!!!
(Sorry for the long post)
The only race fitness prep I know is a few beers the night before, followed by a fry up in the morning. Followed later by a weight reduction dump and abou 200 trips to the loo before you go on track !!!
Both forgetting a few red bulls
Per race nerves and what ifs soon go when the lights go out and the adrenalin kicks in
Both forgetting a few red bulls
Per race nerves and what ifs soon go when the lights go out and the adrenalin kicks in
Edited by Graham on Friday 19th October 15:23
Graham said:
abou 200 trips to the loo before you go on track !!!
Both forgetting a few red bulls
Per race nerves and what ifs soon go when the lights go out and the adrenalin kicks in
That made me chuckle - I am always going for a pee before races, and the pre-race dump is de rigeur, non? Both forgetting a few red bulls
Per race nerves and what ifs soon go when the lights go out and the adrenalin kicks in
If you're looking at the walls you aren't concentrating on your braking, turn-in, throttle application, apex, track-out points etc hard enough. Get yourself back into a kart in a competetive situation and I suspect you'll have more interesting things to think about.
I doubt physical fitness has much to do with it, rather your lack of recent competetive experience.
I subscribe almost fully to the 'Graham' school of race preperation, except the red bull bit- that stuff f
ks me up. I already shake like Ozzy Osbourne as it is if my blood sugar isn't just right.
I doubt physical fitness has much to do with it, rather your lack of recent competetive experience.
I subscribe almost fully to the 'Graham' school of race preperation, except the red bull bit- that stuff f
ks me up. I already shake like Ozzy Osbourne as it is if my blood sugar isn't just right. i would say your best bet is to concentrate on core muscles. get familiar with good press up technique and "the plank" (loads of good vids on youtube). then do 60 seconds plank, 20 press ups, 60 seconds plank, 20 press ups until you are seeing red spots and want to be sick.
you need to be able to steer the kart in the faster corner, not just hold on, and all that strength comes from your core not your arms.
you need to be able to steer the kart in the faster corner, not just hold on, and all that strength comes from your core not your arms.
a: What type of kart? This is very important
b: How long is the race? Any less than an hour and I wouldn't worry about it
"Drifting" karts?
The idea is not to fight it. You will get tired quickly by driving like that(and it is slow)
It's more about concentration than fitness. I race with guys over 60 and they might not have great fitness but they can do 6 hrs in a 24hr race no problem (and be very fast) with no mistakes.
b: How long is the race? Any less than an hour and I wouldn't worry about it
"Drifting" karts?
The idea is not to fight it. You will get tired quickly by driving like that(and it is slow)It's more about concentration than fitness. I race with guys over 60 and they might not have great fitness but they can do 6 hrs in a 24hr race no problem (and be very fast) with no mistakes.
I used to use a similar training regime to Graham, however I found a Chicken Vindaloo the night before used to improve qualifying times - get out there, get some proper fast laps in, get back, get andrex!!
This also led to a little weight loss between qually and the race and a faster laptime in the race!!
Different cars take different amounts effort to drive.
My Thundersaloon V8 Belmont is certainly a "hairy chested" car, it's very hot, and very physical, but great fun.
Compare that to the SCSA car (Pontiac Grand-Prix) which is easy peasy by comparison having mod-cons like power steering!!
This also led to a little weight loss between qually and the race and a faster laptime in the race!!
Different cars take different amounts effort to drive.
My Thundersaloon V8 Belmont is certainly a "hairy chested" car, it's very hot, and very physical, but great fun.
Compare that to the SCSA car (Pontiac Grand-Prix) which is easy peasy by comparison having mod-cons like power steering!!
never bothered with any kind of training regime in either karts or cars
still managed to win a few club championships over the years and actually used to go much better in karts if id had a skinfull the night before! once did a 2 1/2 enduro in the wet on my own in a kart having been wrecked the night before and managed to win!
some people spend far too much time thinking/analysing what they should be doing than actually getting out there and doing it!
still managed to win a few club championships over the years and actually used to go much better in karts if id had a skinfull the night before! once did a 2 1/2 enduro in the wet on my own in a kart having been wrecked the night before and managed to win!
some people spend far too much time thinking/analysing what they should be doing than actually getting out there and doing it!
Haha, so the main worry is having a giant sh*t before the race?
Not. A. Problem.
As mentioned above, I probably am over thinking things. It's just I've been drafted in as the third driver, the other two lads own the kart, and I dont want to let anyone down.
I think I'll get the bike out more this week, as it's good practice throwing the thing around (I seemingly only have one speed, as fast as I can!!! Haha)
Thanks for all the replies!
Not. A. Problem.
As mentioned above, I probably am over thinking things. It's just I've been drafted in as the third driver, the other two lads own the kart, and I dont want to let anyone down.
I think I'll get the bike out more this week, as it's good practice throwing the thing around (I seemingly only have one speed, as fast as I can!!! Haha)
Thanks for all the replies!
when you are paying, its not an issue. i had a friend who was racing in super one and he did say that when its other peoples money you are spending on racing, to the tune of £50k per year) the onus is very much different. Not only are you expected to appear well groomed etc for sponsors on race days but you are also expected to look after yourself in terms of fitness and mental preparation.
HustleRussell said:
If you're looking at the walls you aren't concentrating on your braking, turn-in, throttle application, apex, track-out points etc hard enough. Get yourself back into a kart in a competetive situation and I suspect you'll have more interesting things to think about.
I doubt physical fitness has much to do with it, rather your lack of recent competetive experience.
I subscribe almost fully to the 'Graham' school of race preperation, except the red bull bit- that stuff fks me up. I already shake like Ozzy Osbourne as it is if my blood sugar isn't just right.
lol. But you always come across as such a calm person James! :-)I doubt physical fitness has much to do with it, rather your lack of recent competetive experience.
I subscribe almost fully to the 'Graham' school of race preperation, except the red bull bit- that stuff f
ks me up. I already shake like Ozzy Osbourne as it is if my blood sugar isn't just right. dapearson said:
lol. But you always come across as such a calm person James! :-)
It's very perculiar- Friends and family tried to convince me I was developing some sort of benign parkinson's! The doctor assured me I was quite normal (news to me 
).It seems the cure is breakfast, or failing that a choccy biscuit
Edited by HustleRussell on Tuesday 23 October 15:37
The best prep i have found in any form of motorsports is a good nights rest (no booze) a hearty breakfast, and a shortly before race start a good download in the loo. energy/stimulation drinks help but the come down isn't so good. I rally, and find that the isotonic drinks help keep you hydrated but when it comes to endurance nothing better than tea and sandwiches throughout the day. Little and often. just enough to stave off hunger and keep the energy/hydration levels up.
I'm no racing snake BTW. I'm an ex rugby prop forward who's carring a couple of stone more than he should do. But i do loose weight when rallying. Not the most cost effective diet i know but deffo the most enjoyable.
I'm no racing snake BTW. I'm an ex rugby prop forward who's carring a couple of stone more than he should do. But i do loose weight when rallying. Not the most cost effective diet i know but deffo the most enjoyable.
The fitter you are mentally and physically the better equipped you are for competition, its then down to improving your driving skills and focusing your efforts in the right places, this is the hard bit.
The more willing you are to listen to others and to watch a learn how its done properly, the more chance you have of increasing your success, whether it be keeping it planted through the corners where others are lifting or moving from mid pack to podium or even fastest laps.
Fitness is part of the equation if your serious about results, simple.
ps. even JB and Hamilton have dumps beforehand, standard practice.
The more willing you are to listen to others and to watch a learn how its done properly, the more chance you have of increasing your success, whether it be keeping it planted through the corners where others are lifting or moving from mid pack to podium or even fastest laps.
Fitness is part of the equation if your serious about results, simple.
ps. even JB and Hamilton have dumps beforehand, standard practice.
E-B said:
The best prep i have found in any form of motorsports is a good nights rest (no booze) a hearty breakfast, and a shortly before race start a good download in the loo. energy/stimulation drinks help but the come down isn't so good. I rally, and find that the isotonic drinks help keep you hydrated but when it comes to endurance nothing better than tea and sandwiches throughout the day. Little and often. just enough to stave off hunger and keep the energy/hydration levels up.
I'm no racing snake BTW. I'm an ex rugby prop forward who's carring a couple of stone more than he should do. But i do loose weight when rallying. Not the most cost effective diet i know but deffo the most enjoyable.
Haha, I can only hope one day I can take up a similar diet! Cycling, fun as it is, is a poor mans race training!!! ; )I'm no racing snake BTW. I'm an ex rugby prop forward who's carring a couple of stone more than he should do. But i do loose weight when rallying. Not the most cost effective diet i know but deffo the most enjoyable.
We finished second last after two mechanical breakdowns, and running out of fuel 100mtrs before the flag!!!!
It was cold, wet, and we were up against karts that cost x10 what ours did...
... and I absolutely f*cking loved every second of it!
Next year, I want to be 10kg less fat (80kg now) and in my own two stroke. I've been bitten, I think...
It was cold, wet, and we were up against karts that cost x10 what ours did...
... and I absolutely f*cking loved every second of it!
Next year, I want to be 10kg less fat (80kg now) and in my own two stroke. I've been bitten, I think...
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