Am I normal?
12-23-2017, 03:12 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
I can't ride in the right seat on the highway with my wife driving, but me behind the wheel on the track, no issues whatsoever.
Makes me appreciate every instructor I've ever had even that much more. They are the best.
You'll be fine in the drivers seat. Do not let your right seat experience deter you. That would be a big mistake.
Makes me appreciate every instructor I've ever had even that much more. They are the best.
You'll be fine in the drivers seat. Do not let your right seat experience deter you. That would be a big mistake.
i have no issues racing, but got car sick in the right seat at a pca rally at legal speeds recently
was embarassing
12-23-2017, 06:24 PM
#17
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Thread Starter
Great to hear all this feedback and reassures me that my driving experience won't match my riding one. I'm no spring chicken and I've waited too long to get on the track, so I'm determined to start now. I was so excited at the Vegas track - and two laps later I was really demoralized. Thanks again for the insights!
BTW - the last time I was on the track was at an Audi event - had no problems ripping around in an R8 or autocrossing an RS5, but when my wife drove a few laps and I was the passenger, I begged to get out of the car after just a lap or two. Maybe I ought to preemptively slap on that patch - I know the pre-drive ridealong is very valuable and I don't want to feel sick before I ever even start.
BTW - the last time I was on the track was at an Audi event - had no problems ripping around in an R8 or autocrossing an RS5, but when my wife drove a few laps and I was the passenger, I begged to get out of the car after just a lap or two. Maybe I ought to preemptively slap on that patch - I know the pre-drive ridealong is very valuable and I don't want to feel sick before I ever even start.
12-23-2017, 06:55 PM
#18
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I am fortunate in that I don't suffer from motion sickness. I've been a passenger many times with instructors and coaches at the wheel and have never had a problem. Of course, I am probably jinxing myself by saying that. I've had a couple pro coaches pushing the limits of the car so hard that I got scared a couple times as a passenger, but never sick. Having said all that, I feel for those of you who do get motion sick and I appreciate what you instructors and coaches go through in the passenger seat.
12-24-2017, 08:51 AM
#19
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I feel your pain and had the same fears whn i got into the sport.
I have had awful issues with motion sickness. I only lasted three laps with Pobst driving at sebring and went full green/grey almost lost it in my helmet.. Instructing this year in a z06 was a challenge. slower drivers/cars i am fine.
if you use scopolamine patch you will be fine in right seat. worked wonders for me.
you will be 100% fine driving, but wear the patch for the weekend and enjoy the ride-alongs! is an important part of learning esp for kinesthetic learners.
I have had awful issues with motion sickness. I only lasted three laps with Pobst driving at sebring and went full green/grey almost lost it in my helmet.. Instructing this year in a z06 was a challenge. slower drivers/cars i am fine.
if you use scopolamine patch you will be fine in right seat. worked wonders for me.
you will be 100% fine driving, but wear the patch for the weekend and enjoy the ride-alongs! is an important part of learning esp for kinesthetic learners.
12-24-2017, 09:19 AM
#20
Rennlist Member
If my student's driving was fluid, I never had a problem. If he was herky jerky (is that a good term ProCoach? 
) so was my stomach. While driving I NEVER had any issues at all and I can even can get nauseated playing video games...
) so was my stomach. While driving I NEVER had any issues at all and I can even can get nauseated playing video games...
Last edited by Gary R.; 12-24-2017 at 09:52 AM.
12-24-2017, 09:35 AM
#21
one thing to know - DO NOT remove the patch until before bed AFTER you get home. a (rare) side effect of removal is temporary blindness. nothing to worry about but no fun, happened to my big sister and she was pretty freaked out.
12-24-2017, 09:45 AM
#22
Rennlist Member
you got it man - patch only works pre-emptively - i put mine on the day before. getting quesy on first instructor or friend ride-along of the weekend is the WORST.
one thing to know - DO NOT remove the patch until before bed AFTER you get home. a (rare) side effect of removal is temporary blindness. nothing to worry about but no fun, happened to my big sister and she was pretty freaked out.
As a side note, scopolamine patches can cause permanent blindness if you have acute angle glaucoma.
12-24-2017, 09:48 AM
#23
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Strunk & White Style Guide: do not use that word unless you are certain you have that effect on people. 
(I think the word you're looking for is nauseated... OT, but I always get a laugh from it, and it's on-topic anyway! Not trying to pick on you...)
(I think the word you're looking for is nauseated... OT, but I always get a laugh from it, and it's on-topic anyway! Not trying to pick on you...)
12-24-2017, 09:55 AM
#25
Rennlist Member
You are absolutely right! The funny thing is in medicine we say "are you nauseous" all the time. I say it too!
12-24-2017, 09:59 AM
#26
What your describing as "blindness" can happen any time with a scopolamine patch on. Scopolamine dilates the pupils of the eye causing blurry vision and light sensitivity. When people apply/touch/manipulate the patch, the medicine gets on your fingers. Then when you inadvertently touch your eye (like we all do 100x a day), your eye dilates. Thus, ALWAYS wash your hands after touching the patch. Also, the systemic absorption of the medicine accumulates and over time will cause everyone's pupils to dilate to a certain extent.. Frankly, I would never recommend someone wear one of these when they are driving at the track. All this being said, these patches are fantastic for motion sickness prophylaxis.
As a side note, scopolamine patches can cause permanent blindness if you have acute angle glaucoma.
As a side note, scopolamine patches can cause permanent blindness if you have acute angle glaucoma.
Thanks for the info. Though I would submit its better than being sick! although a dr friend recommended no alcohol, no greasy food, and lots of sleep as good preventative steps to avoid motion sickness, that didnt help me that I could tell....and was considerably less fun. who can say no to happy hour? or VIR fried chicken egg and cheese on a fresh biscuit for breakfast???
12-24-2017, 10:12 AM
#27
Rennlist Member
Great insight!!! I’ve never experienced the blurry vision or light sensitivity that i could notice, but just read the warning on the box. My sisters experience was freaky but temporary. good note on touching anything - you need to wash hands very thoroughly before and after application
Thanks for the info. Though I would submit its better than being sick! although a dr friend recommended no alcohol, no greasy food, and lots of sleep as good preventative steps to avoid motion sickness, that didnt help me that I could tell....and was considerably less fun. who can say no to happy hour? or VIR fried chicken egg and cheese on a fresh biscuit for breakfast???
12-24-2017, 06:08 PM
#28
I don't instruct but have been in the right seat of numerous instructor's cars (and they weren't taking it easy as we agree that I would record the laps using Harry's to get data) and have never been car sick or felt nauseous!! Knock on wood...like others have said, I suspect the experience will feel different with you behind the wheel. Try it, hope it works for you.
12-24-2017, 06:26 PM
#29
Rennlist Member
I'll add one more thing. Nausea can strike just about anyone at any time. I do not get motion sickness in the right or left seat. My wife and I are scuba divers and I was always amazed at how many people would get nauseated in rougher seas. Never happened to me,....until one day. It has never recurred but I don't rule it out. The advantage of scuba is that when motion sickness strikes you just get under water and it passes. In a Porsche you end up ruining someone's interior and your helmet.
12-25-2017, 11:45 AM
#30
I'll add one more thing. Nausea can strike just about anyone at any time. I do not get motion sickness in the right or left seat. My wife and I are scuba divers and I was always amazed at how many people would get nauseated in rougher seas. Never happened to me,....until one day. It has never recurred but I don't rule it out. The advantage of scuba is that when motion sickness strikes you just get under water and it passes. In a Porsche you end up ruining someone's interior and your helmet.
BTW, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
Gary