Racers do you need to be fit?

[OMEGA]

Ok so i was watching nascar one day and they announcer were talking about the athletes in the car i was like WTF? Then they were talking about how these guys have to sit in a heated car for a long time so they train to sustain the heat in the car, i was like give me a break, I have ridden for a few years so i know how tired i get from just normal riding, I have been to the track, worked the corners during ccs race, and majority of the people out there on the track seem to be in pretty good shape.
Now im talking about trackday only guys ,im looking for responses to people who race, either on track or off. I know lugging a bike around at high speeds requires stamina and agility if your goin to do it for a long time. So what do you guys do to keep up , just curioius.

[BigComfy]

Beer!

[Charliebrown]

Lots of beer!

[OMEGA]

Beer!

shiiiiit sounds like a diet plan to me!! :occasion1: cant be off budweiser though got to be a mans beer like guiness :nod:

[BigComfy]

shiiiiit sounds like a diet plan to me!! :occasion1: cant be off budweiser though got to be a mans beer like guiness :nod:
newcastle ftw!

[Jay]

ALOT OF SEX

[OMEGA]

ALOT OF SEX

so you must be out of shape

[SecretAgent]

suprisingly most nascar drivers have the stamina of a marathon runner. they sustain 150 degree temps for 4 hours at a time. and if you've ever steered a cup style car they're a fkn bear. takes a lot of arm strength to muscle those cars around for 500 laps. you also need the mental stamina to continue to function fast enough for 200mph reaction times.

best workout for motorcycle racing is a normal weightlifting routine followed by lots of cardio. a lot of the top level guys have also taken a big liking to cycling because it works a lot of the same muscles the real bikes do, and keeps their equilibrium in top shape. you basically want a very well rounded workout structure because strength is just as important as endurance.

[OMEGA]

suprisingly most nascar drivers have the stamina of a marathon runner. they sustain 150 degree temps for 4 hours at a time. and if you've ever steered a cup style car they're a fkn bear. takes a lot of arm strength to muscle those cars around for 500 laps. you also need the mental stamina to continue to function fast enough for 200mph reaction times.

best workout for motorcycle racing is a normal weightlifting routine followed by lots of cardio. a lot of the top level guys have also taken a big liking to cycling because it works a lot of the same muscles the real bikes do, and keeps their equilibrium in top shape. you basically want a very well rounded workout structure because strength is just as important as endurance.

thanks but how does it work out equilibreium? just the mind getting use to the balance?

[SecretAgent]

exactly. balancing on a bike whose tires only have a 1/2" of contact patch front and rear keeps ya fresh for sure.

[SPHINX]

I can understand that formula one drivers and motorcycle racer need to be fit to sustain the g forces experienced and throw the bike from side to side respectively. But nascar drivers? they just go around in circles.

[OMEGA]

ive seen taledega nights, i am somewhat of a nascar fan to btw, but mainly like the mexico city race because there is left turns and right turns in it

[tiatool]

They also don't just go around in circles. They have at least 2 roadraces (twisty track) scheduled.

[SPHINX]

THats just ignorance about the sport right there. lol

If it was so easy, dont you think more people would do it?
You really think you can stand 150 f for 4 + hours while having perfect mental focus? Situational awarness is a bitch to begin with for most normal drivers, add the fact that half the tracks on the circuit are 175+ mph, and YOu are racing within inches of some one eles.

Yes The cars have a very crude form of power steering. But its not as easy as your everyday car.

Most people cant even drive to the corner store without going into a zoned out state.

And on average the drivers loose 5 to 10 lbs per race in fluids. a few years back jeff gordon was hospitalized after a race, and had lost 17 lbs.





Have you never seen days of thunder? :keke:

no, I'm an F1 guy. I don't anything against such an all american sport, I just don't find it quite as entertaining. I'm well aware of the physical forces and mental demand experienced by the nascar drivers, I just said that because I find such series not very exciting.

[SPHINX]

They also don't just go around in circles. They have at least 2 roadraces (twisty track) scheduled.

I've never seen that.

[tiatool]

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[PatternAgainst]

If it has a motor, you're not an athlete. i can see how a motorcycle takes physical dexterity and strength, especially motorcross because there's a lot more than just throttle control.

want to see real athletes on two wheels? watch a cyclocross race. Those guys are the exact opposite of the crybaby steroid heads populating mainstream cycling and ball sports right now.

One dude had a mechanical failure on the other end of the track, ran the whole course carrying his bike got it fixed and then pedaled back to a top 10 finish. THAT'S HARD CORE!

[bentgixxer]

wasnt it at watkins glen yrs ago that several drivers quit due to the heat?

it was like one of the hottest days on record, and a couple of guys just parked their cars on the side of the track, and left the race.






so if they have the training to be in 150f temps for 2-3hrs, does that mean i can be a nascar driver?

ive been trained to withstand much higher temps, just for shorter durations.

[vito_8989]

I didn't think much of nascar, but I started hanging out with a friend who did asa racing. I went to one of his races and it was hot as hell outside and I was in a t-shirt and shorts. He was wearing full fire protection gear and the car would get hot as hell on top of it. Also prepping the car for the race was a pain, tire pressure on the left has to be different than on the right and then there is aerodynamics and as less weight as possible.

[Grinchy]

so you must be out of shape
:rofl:

[ormand]

I perform exercises at gym specifically to build mass along my spinal region in hopes to go racing one day - car or bike. Racing takes an incredible amount of stamina and health, atleast successful. Atleast so I have read :)

[cedestech]

Back to the original question. Just look at Moto GP riders or F1 drivers.
They all basicly share the same body charicteristics. They are incredibly fit
but not muscle bound. No body fat. They are huge cardio freaks cycling or
running.

[chase]

it does take alot of mental stability and endurance to make it thru high temperatures for a long time...it takes its toll on you...but nowadays those cars have so much venting for the driver that its nowhere near as bad as it used to be

they have power steering, it sucks moving those cars at slow speeds, but at 170+ mph, added on to a huge steering wheel for leverage...the power steering argument is stupid...it doesnt take near as much effort to turn the car as some ppl would tell you...the guys that run the short circuits, like msrh, in a spec racer with no power steering...those guys have it way worse as far as steering effort goes.

i dont have anywhere near the stamina to race bikes right now, but thats cool bc i dont have anywhere near the talent or speed either :rofl:

somebody told me trampolines help you alot with track riding:shrug:

[Shinobi]

Examine what muscles are used for in racing. Your going to need physical and mental strength.

If you yourself is interested in steppin up your game; work your fast twitch muscles by keeping the weight light(not too light,keep it in the median of what you can do), and reps high. Your supposed to be one with your bike, and you use your whole body to control it. So essentially, you want to workout your whole body, because each muscle group is going to have a purpose. I say fast twitch muscles because your upper body is dealing with breaks,clutch ect. you want the fastest muscle reaction time you can get.

For the upper body, i suggest deadlifts(heavy weight tho).It builds overall strength.

Forearms,triceps,biceps,sholders. And your CORE, it should be where you draw most of your power and energy from. It's how you control the bike. Don't aim to get bulky abs, but lean them out instead, also keep your hips powerful and flexible. Flexibility, is going to go along way, its going to keep you from cramping up when your going those long distances.

For the lower body I'd have it to where you have powerful, flexible legs. You laugh now, but get your ass on a stairmaster for a few mins lol. Deep heavy squats will do fine, just dont forget to isolate those calves. Work that ass son!!

Cardio; cycling,running,sprints. Personally, Id do it with extra weight on my back and clothes on to condition your mind and body to handle the heat and what not.If done right, it can make or break you. Keep your diet in check. Make sure your getting enough ginkgo or just green veggies(which are brain foods) in general. It'll keep you sharp and focused throughout the race and your training.

id write more man, but i gotta go run some errands. pm me if you want or need some advice about training or working out. Im working on my fitness trainers license and ima start up some classes at san jac to be a nutritionist. :thumb:

[kdog22]

For Motocross racing i trained by doing lots of riding. I was at the track 2-3 times a week including races every weekend. i was in the gym 5 days a week and did lots of cardio. As far as weight lifting goes, you don't want to lift heavy.. lift lighter and up the rep count. That along with frequent riding will greatly reduce arm pump. Don't forget about legs workouts too. Gripping that bike with your knees can will greatly help control the bike as well as keep your arm pump and fatigue to a minimum. That was my religous schedule for a few years back when i had the time and money to do it.

You can't be scared of alittle heat in texas either. Get out and ride. Racing in the heat is probably the best training of all.

Quote from a friend of mine, " Train hard so the race easy"

[AJFLo]

2 mo bump! fcking A!!! :rofl:

[kdog22]

2 mo bump! fcking A!!! :rofl:

i've been very productive at work today :rofl: