Lemming

Ok, most of you will think I'm crazy, but I am considering running the NASA 8-hr enduro at Road Atlanta (Dec.) solo. Has anyone done this before, if so, how was it? I've raced two 24-hr offroad motorcycle races in the ironman class and really enjoyed it (taking 2nd and 4th places) but the longest I've raced in a car is 3 hrs (Barber in June). In that enduro my biggest problem was that my right leg started cramping towards the end. At Road Atlanta I'm thinking that I can relax the right leg by using the left for gas down the back straight. Too bad my car doesn't have cruise control The only other issue was that my neck started to hurt. I dealt with this by letting my head go side to side through the turns resting on my head bolsters (full containment seat). It was a bit weird at first, but after a while it felt natural.

I'm thinking that I could do it with only getting out of the car once to stretch and relieve myself. I could do that while the crew is working on the car (brake pad change, rotate tires, whatever). Hopefully not more than 15 minutes.

Comments, thoughts?

C.J. Ichiban

FWIW I always use the seat to lean into when I turn...that's how my previous instructor told me to mitigate the g-forces on the neck in enduros or tracks with crazy banking.

I'd think the biggest problems of running it for 8 hours straight are

you have to pee- how disposable is your suit/seat?
you run out of drinking fluids and get totally dehydrated
you need some sort of protein to replenish/recover
if you get too tired, there's nobody to help you out by finishing the race for you


I'd think it's just like trying to use the same set of tires for too long, eventually you're going to be going slower than your fresher competitors due to exhaustion.

Lemming

1. Depends
2. Drink holder filled every 1.5 to 2 hours when I refuel (but stay in car).
3. Powerbars or similar during fueling
4. I don't want someone else to finish it.

gums

Just one question: why?
If it's just for the hell of it, then fine.
But I would think if you want to win it, then you'd be better off with a codriver.

C.J. Ichiban

how long does fueling take for your car?

Lemming

For the challenge. Finishing it would be the payoff.

I would guess 5 or 6 minutes to dump three 5-gallon jugs.

Professor Helmüt Tester

I'm gonna guess that you need to read the rules more carefully. I would be very surprised if NASA eliminated their "max time" rules from their CCR, and event Supps probably also spell something out.

And...I'm not so sure I'd like to be on-track, in race conditions, with a fatigued driver.

I've done 3.5 hours straight a couple of times, but I was ready to get out after that. Real sign is that lap times start to get erratic, without suitable "traffic" excuses.

Bad idea.

gums

I also question the wisdom of doing that.
And Road Atlanta is no joke, as you know.
I've double stinted in a few enduros, and it's not easy. 3 hours of racing at a clip, and I'm very fit.
I'll codrive your car with you, just to help out.

MTosi

IIRC Some dude ran like 23 of 24 hours of Lemans (alone) was leading the race (by 4 laps), then missed a shift causing engine failure with less than an hour left

Edit: Yes this did happen, Lemans 1952, Pierre Levegh, Talbot-Lago GS Spyder

JR944

"Ok, most of you will think I'm crazy,"

Yup, but a good kind of crazy!

8 hours in the car without a break sounds like about 5 hours past being fun. After 3-4 hours towing the trailer down the highway, I'm happy to get out and stretch for a few minutes. Can't imagine sitting in the race car for 8 hours straight.

Undoubtedly, if you can run a bike for 24 hours, you're in much better shape than most of us. That sounds like quite a few hours past fun to me too!

Call me a wuss!

You'll probably have plenty of offers for co-drivers. Please add my name to the list .

Joe

Lemming

I have tentative verbal approval from Dir., nothing written.

Point taken.

Nothing says that I have to stay in the car. When I did the 24hr offroad enduros, I rested when needed. I would plan to do the same, possibly having the pit crew watch lap times and pull me in if warranted.

Thanks for the offer, looks like you've done these before.

Interesting read http://www.24heuresdumans.co.uk/content.php/340

gums

And Bob Grossman was famous for running Lemans in Gucci loafers.

MTosi

George Follmer used to drive with worn out wingtip dress shoes. If anyone has to ask why, they have clearly never driven in them, try it sometime, you'll love it. They are by far and away my favorite driving shoes, they have a nice thin sole for feel, yet they are still wide enough to have a nice H/T position.

(Pause at 45-46secs, another set of loafers)

sweanders

If you were alone on the track than it would be a cool challenge. I would not like to participate in a race with a driver taking this kind of risks.

MJR911

Agreed, doubt NASA would let you do it. They wised up on their enduro rules in general after PW won a 3 hour a few years ago....

Ran til the car was empty, pulled up to the gas pumps, had someone standing by with credit card, refuled and won the damn thing.