Matt Romanowski

There are some really great training programs for drivers now. They do a great job of quantifying driver fitness and then finding ways to increase it. This is part of the reason I've worked on supplying some great driver biometrics so we can find driver problems while they are actually driving and then figuring out how to build their training programs to improve.

T&T Racing

My workout regime is YMCA based; M, W, F one hour sessions divided in 30 minute sessions of aerobic dance and
strength training using bands,, weights, and your own body weight. The focus is core, flexibility, maintaining and building muscle mass, and stamina.

Also, the aerobic dance routines "exercises" your brain utilizing cognitive skills.

My measure of success is that I can drive the race car for 30 minutes in full safety gear without using the "nanny" cool suit, in hot temperatures, with no fatique at age 75. Full disclosure, the car is a Porsche 944

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Dr911

I like the idea of neck strengthening as a critical aspect, but training w/ a 6 kg helmet is remarkable.
I'm curious: is anyone doing these type of neck strengthening exercises that were posted in the original link? If so, what helmet weights are you using?

911Königin

I'm not sure how you boys last for those Enduros

Matt Romanowski

This is one of the best neck strengthening setuips I've seen http://www.iron-neck.com/

ProCoach

I prefer to follow this advice:

wanna911

NYC993

One other thing to add is importance of stretching.
This is a new one I read, stretching has very similar impact on vascular system to aerobic exercise. There was a recent study done on that. Maybe it explains why running after doing yoga is much easier.

Any of you exercise during DE/Race weekend? I tell myself I'm gonna go for a run when track goes cold but before beers, but find little motivation to do so.

gbuff

Nope--I work out daily away from the track so I relax at the track other than stretching during the day as stated above. When you're "a bit older" like me you gotta stay loose

Gary

Wheelman_99

I was in the best shape of my life when I was homeless... and the cleanest for that matter. All you can take showers came with the gym membership!

There was no rent money taking away from entry fees either...

You can really tell who is in shape and who isn't when you get out of the car after a session or a race and take a look around the paddock or impound. That said, especially on the hot days, you can usually even before that... on the track as mistakes start to creep in...

Also, I don't want to hear of anyone saying, "but I have a coolshirt!". What happens when it fails or doesn't get serviced during a pitstop? That very thing happened last year to my endurance team. I had to get back in the car after only being out an hour because the driver who replaced me cried uncle a half hour early due to his fading condition as a result of a non functioning coolshirt system on a 100 degree day. We still managed to collect our first overall win that day... I drove 181 laps, a personal record.

Wheelman_99

Fitness is key to maintaining mental clarity and focus over time while under physical strain. Mental focus, calm and discipline is key to maintaining physical condition over a long session. Let one slip and the other goes... Train them both, often together.


And answering above. Stretching is very important. So is even just 15 minutes of light cardio at the end of the day to pump some blood around. This delivers nutrients and helps reduce lactic acid buildups.

Dr911

ProCoach: I love that vid. Thanks. Very user friendly and amenable to a flexible schedules.

Re Stretching...many physicians and physical therapists will agree that stretching is the "fountain of youth"....in my case I suspect that is prob quite true.

Re: track day workouts....25 min of morning yoga is mandatory. Sometimes I'll *also manage* to squeeze in a 3 mile morning run before or a 1 mile swim after the track is cold.

You know what they say....works for me but YMMV.

ProCoach

Every pro I know works out every day, including those of testing or a race weekend...

fatbillybob

I think I am a contrarian. I'm not actively training other to stay is reasonable shape so I can ski all day. I know what is like to be in top shape after 35 years in competitive martial arts and I am no where near that today. That said I'm not quite sure I buy the conventional wisdom that a "fit" driver is a better driver. I think fitness is important if you are racing in 90 degree ambient temps with humidity. But if you can stay cool and comfortable in the car I think you win 1/2 the battle. Then I also notice that the more relaxed in the car I am the less effort it takes and my mind is more clear. I make better decisions and employ better racecraft. When I haven't raced in a while I tend to death grip the wheel and brace against it and my seat as cornering g's build. That takes energy to fight against gravity. If however, I relax and let my containment seat do its job and be finger light on the wheel I get better feedback through my butt and my hands. At the end of the race I get out of the car with heart rate barely above normal and don't sweat up my race suit or feel like I got a workout. Am I nuts or anyone else get what I am saying?

Dr911

Congrats on your personal record!

Yes, you raise a good point. A couple of years ago a few tracks bros and I decided to do a karting enduro just for giggles...

Unfortunately it categorically proved my motion sickness in a public forum

....ON THE PLUS SIDE....

It illustrated that my personal semi-rigorous fitness routine served me well.
My less fitness oriented team-mates suffered great distress after their 30 min stints (with one having a near "call 911" miss from a suspected cardiac event.

Like any physically and mentally demanding activity, fitness does matter.