How "Special" are PRO race Drivers?

[Mt. Lynx]

From Wiktionary:
Noun
athlete (plural athletes)
1.A participant in a group of sporting activities which includes track and field, road running, cross country running and racewalking.
2.(US) A person who actively participates in physical sports, possibly highly skilled in sports. (Known in British English as a "sportsperson".)
3.An exceptionally physically fit person.

Just to clarify what "athlete" really means.

From wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_car_driver#Racing_driver
"Racing driver

Racing drivers at the highest levels are usually paid for by the team, or by sponsors, and can command very substantial salaries indeed.
Contrary to what may be popularly assumed, racing drivers as a group do not have unusually good reflexes. Racing drivers require precision and good race craft.
The fitness required for drivers varies between the different types, but for the open wheeled cars with downforce, g-forces on corners are extremely large, and the physical strength required to drive the car can also be very significant. In addition the races can last several hours, with heartrates commonly above 140 bpm, and so drivers need to be supremely fit. For more normal cars, fitness is not nearly as much an issue."

I know wikipedia isn´t always the best source, but for this topic, I feel it´s adequate.

 

[Sohvakettu]

That sounds about right

 

[homeforsummer]

In addition the races can last several hours, with heartrates commonly above 140 bpm

I think the heart rate is something people commonly forget, actually. 140-odd bpm for a few hours at a time is a hell of a sustained heart rate. I bet once the race is over it drops back to normal quicker than most people too. And, that 140bpm is almost certainly much lower than the heart rate would be if you stuck average Joe behind the wheel for that length of time.

 

[nitrorocks]

Also think about endurance racing too. One tine at Le Mans in the 70's Jacky Ickx did a 5 hour straight stint. That's a long time. No power steering, no neck devices, no aids. A few years ago, Allan Mcnish did a 6 hour stint at the beginning of the race. (Le Mans). Even now in a modern LMP car you have to face as much and sometimes more G-force than an F1 car. You have to be Physically fit!

 

[Pupik]

One time at Le Mans in the 70's Jacky Ickx did a 5 hour straight stint.

Not to top you, but Pierre Levegh tried to single-handedly win Le Mans in 1952, and was leading the race by a couple of laps into the 23rd hour.

And then he tired out, missed a shift, over-revved it, and the engine broke.

 

[Sohvakettu]

Hasn't the stints been limited to 4 hours max for some time. In the black and white past of Le Mans there were some guys (or maybe it was just a guy) who drove the whole distance alone...

 

[nitrorocks]

Not to top you, but Pierre Levegh tried to single-handedly win Le Mans in 1952, and was leading the race by a couple of laps into the 23rd hour.

And then he tired out, missed a shift, over-revved it, and the engine broke.

That's definitely isnane.

 

[vfrmaverick]

BTW rich, you might want to see this video
http://www.nascar.com/video/speed/race-hub/111117/cup-hom-speed-racehub-thurs/index.html?MostPopular

 

[Kamuifanboy]

So much ignorance in this thread. As a real life racing driver I can tell you that for me, it's easy. But I've heard I have somewhat of a nack for it. But for others its not the same. When I did my skip barber schools last year guys were on average 5-6 seconds slower around Laguna Seca than I was.

F1 drivers of recent such as Nakajima and Grosjean for example may have looked terrible, but literally, these guys are the best drivers around.

Aww Don't hate on Kazukisan He's a good friend of mine. He's a fantastic driver, very knowledgeable, and an all around great guy. And was my coach over the summer. Hoping to get him as a coach for next season as well as I start racing in a legitimate ladder series.

 

[Rich S]

I've never driven an expensive car with high downforce pupik... But I'm highly suspicious motor racing requires special ability compared to other professional sports which do. Yes I drive a car to get around town. I've driven from Here to southern Florida in 2 days several times.

So much ignorance in this thread. As a real life racing driver I can tell you that for me, it's easy. But I've heard I have somewhat of a nack for it. But for others its not the same. When I did my skip barber schools last year guys were on average 5-6 seconds slower around Laguna Seca than I was.

Yeah I think thats about right.

Just because some fat out of shape guy with money in the bank goes to the track one time and drives one; and is blown away doesnt mean race drivers who do it every week are "holier than thou." (in my opinion)

Someone who sits and plays PC games (i racing aka i paying) hours and hours and then hops in a race car and throws up clearly is not getting out of the house enough. (in my opinion.)

I've seen layman reporters & celebrities hop in race cars & be thrilled with it.

 

[Sach]

Again, it all depends on the car and how many G's you are dealing with. Just because some guy says, "I'm a race driver and it's easy" doesn't mean the discussion is over. Road car racing is not rally racing, which is also not drag racing, which is also not F1 racing.

 

[Kamuifanboy]

Yeah I think thats about right.

I don't think you got my point. My point was that it's not easy. And that they did 30 laps and were sure as hell not running at Webbers pace.

I've never driven an expensive car with high downforce pupik... But I'm highly suspicious motor racing requires special ability compared to other professional sports which do. Yes I drive a car to get around town. I've driven from Here to southern Florida in 2 days several times.

Driving a street car, at legal speeds, on a street. and driving a high downforce race car are like day and night. I have driven many street cars, and I wouldn't call my Formula Renault for next year high downforce, but the F3 that I tested at Suzuka was. And let me tell you, that was the most physically and mentally difficult thing I have ever done. The downforce it generates just makes the steering so heavy and so difficult. I'm by no means out of shape either. My contract makes me work out with a trainer 4 times a week for 3 hours. And I have to eat properly.

 

[Rich S]

I don't think you got my point. My point was that it's not easy. And that they did 30 laps and were sure as hell not running at Webbers pace.



Driving a street car, at legal speeds, on a street. and driving a high downforce race car are like day and night. I have driven many street cars, and I wouldn't call my Formula Renault for next year high downforce, but the F3 that I tested at Suzuka was. And let me tell you, that was the most physically and mentally difficult thing I have ever done. The downforce it generates just makes the steering so heavy and so difficult. I'm by no means out of shape either. My contract makes me work out with a trainer 4 times a week for 3 hours. And I have to eat properly.

I'll agree formula cars are physically taxing & that turns the activity into an athletic endeavor.

But its not the same as being a conventional pro athlete in an olympic or major league sport.

I think your trainer has you doing to much volume by the way. What kinds of workouts are you doing? Your aerobic workouts really do not need to be longer than 90 minutes 5 times a week to be in really really great aerobic shape.....but that means spending alot of volume at or near your "lactate threshold".

 

[TheCracker]

But its not the same as being a conventional pro athlete in an olympic or major league sport.

As asked before... What are these athletic sports you talk about exactly?

 

[hampus_dh]

But its not the same as being a conventional pro athlete in an olympic or major league sport.

It seems you have no idea how those guys train. Or the F1 drivers for that matter.

Please go ask the reciever in an NFL team to do a marathon.
Or ask the lineman to start running 500 miles.

They all have a certain area where they have to be really good at.
Whether that is speed, explosiveness, endurance etc.

Really the only two sports i can think of that incorporates all of those elements is MMA fighters and Gymnasts.

 

[dhandeh]

Wow, I've read some drivel in my time, but some of the posts in here are outstanding. And that isn't a complement.

 

[Kamuifanboy]

It seems you have no idea how those guys train. Or the F1 drivers for that matter.

Please go ask the reciever in an NFL team to do a marathon.
Or ask the lineman to start running 500 miles.

They all have a certain area where they have to be really good at.
Whether that is speed, explosiveness, endurance etc.

Really the only two sports i can think of that incorporates all of those elements is MMA fighters and Gymnasts.

This. MMA is some seriously hard stuff.

I probably won't post anymore, unless someone says something ridiculously ignorant. Not to sound mean. But the point of this thread is stupid.

 

[Scaff]

I'll agree formula cars are physically taxing & that turns the activity into an athletic endeavor.

Well this at least is a step forward, however it's now quite clear that you don't have the actual experience of what its like to drive a car of this nature and the demands it puts on you.

But its not the same as being a conventional pro athlete in an olympic or major league sport.

Unless you can back this up it will be the last time you post you opinion as fact.

Just to bring that home a little more...

You will, if asked by a representative of the forums, cease posting any content.

and

You will not knowingly post any material that is false, misleading, or inaccurate.

...do not post something as fact without some for of independent proof, the staff have had quite enough of you posting your opinion as if its fact. It stops now.

I think your trainer has you doing to much volume by the way. What kinds of workouts are you doing? Your aerobic workouts really do not need to be longer than 90 minutes 5 times a week to be in really really great aerobic shape.....but that means spending alot of volume at or near your "lactate threshold".

What exactly qualifies you to state this?

Do you know this member and the level of training they actually require?

One thing we do know is that you have no idea of the demands racing of this nature places on the body.

So in a nutshell you have gone from stating as fact that racing drivers are an over-privileged bunch who should never be compared to the level of 'real' athletes to stating that someone own trainer does know what they are doing.

Please keep going, the hole must be at an amazing depth now.


Scaff

 

[PeterJB]

Aww Don't hate on Kazukisan He's a good friend of mine. He's a fantastic driver, very knowledgeable, and an all around great guy. And was my coach over the summer. Hoping to get him as a coach for next season as well as I start racing in a legitimate ladder series.

I'm not denying that he is a brilliant driver, you have to be to get into Formula 1. But his performance was generally at the lower end of things. There were moments where he showed some impressive speed, and he also a lot of bad luck, but generally his career in Formula 1 wasn't fantastic. Though I'm sure he could outperform most GP2 Drivers anytime.

 

[homeforsummer]

I think your trainer has you doing to much volume by the way. What kinds of workouts are you doing? Your aerobic workouts really do not need to be longer than 90 minutes 5 times a week to be in really really great aerobic shape.....but that means spending alot of volume at or near your "lactate threshold".

It's funny that - perhaps he's doing the right amount of training to drive a race car, since it puts the body under such strain?

If it sounds "too much" to you then maybe it's because you haven't a clue how fit drivers need to be... which is something basically everyone has been telling you since page 1.

 

[Azuremen]

Well this at least is a step forward, however it's now quite clear that you don't have the actual experience of what its like to drive a car of this nature and the demands it puts on you.

Hell, it doesn't even have to be a super fancy race car. When I drove my old AW11 MR2, which was very stiffly sprung, lower, 4 point setup with fixed position Momo's, no AC and a rather touchy engine, I was exhausted after going the long way from Portland to Medford, down the 1 and then through a bunch of forest roads, so endless turns, curves, and surface changes. It was a 12 hour drive because of some closed roads, and a few times (in the rain) I had the car completely step out on me because I'd zone out on the steering a touch or the throttle just a hair. And I wasn't trying to set any record times, I was just keeping up with my friends on more sane and less touchy setups.

But yes, this confirms Rich S has no clue what he is talking about when it comes to driving a car in a remotely taxing way.

Rich, endurance driving is not the same. I've driven some very long drives and it isn't the same. At all.

 

[nitrorocks]

This. MMA is some seriously hard stuff.

I probably won't post anymore, unless someone says something ridiculously ignorant. Not to sound mean. But the point of this thread is stupid.

Haha. My thoughts too

 

[Rich S]

In my opinion, one doesnt need to spend 12 hours a week training for formula racing outside the car...... but not many will believe that.....because they lack an open mind & are ignorant themselves (in my opinion.)

I question professional racers' actual skill level because their being given an extraordinary privilege to do what they do not to mention a massive fan base, as much money as they;ll ever need & a pass on very poor behavior at times. (in my opinion). Its not right to blindly worship professional athletes, or race car drivers (in my opinion the majority of race car drivers are not athletes.) A pilot is not an athlete.

I've stated "in my opinion" enough I think.

IMO (in my opinion) MMA is 10 times the sport driving a race car is. Is driving a race car more rewarding & more fun? (I think so. )

Racers are rarely criticized, I believe that to be very wrong. Professional athletes too.

 

[Northstar]

In my opinion, one doesnt need to spend 12 hours a week training for formula racing outside the car...... but not many will believe that.....because they lack an open mind & are ignorant themselves (in my opinion.)

Yet, I'm willing to bet that an F1 driver spends far more than 12 hours a week training away from the track.

I question professional racers' actual skill level because their being given an extraordinary privilege to do what they do not to mention a massive fan base, as much money as they;ll ever need & a pass on very poor behavior at times.

Congrats, you just described every professional athlete in existence.

Racers are rarely criticized, I believe that to be very wrong. Professional athletes too.

You don't spend much time reading race threads, do you?

 

[Rich S]

Yet, I'm willing to bet that an F1 driver spends far more than 12 hours a week training away from the track.



Congrats, you just described every professional athlete in existence.

Orlly? Like top runners, volleyball players, cyclists, etc, etc who make little or no money & have similar levels of fans? Oh but I guess that has to be my opinion too.

 

[Northstar]

Orlly? Like top runners, volleyball players, cyclists, etc, etc who make little or no money & have similar levels of fans? Oh but I guess that has to be my opinion too.

Glad to know your ignorance doesn't stop at the racing world.👍

I'm sure Usain Bolt, Kerri Walsh, Misty May-Treanor and Lance Armstrong aren't hurting for cash and have gotten away with things most people wouldn't.

 

[hampus_dh]

In my opinion, one doesnt need to spend 12 hours a week training for formula racing outside the car...... but not many will believe that.....because they lack an open mind & are ignorant themselves (in my opinion.)

Yes they are your opinions... But they are taken out of the ass.

You fit the description in what Button is saying:

BAR Honda racer Jenson Button is one of the fittest men in F1, thanks to a mix of training disciplines.

"If I'm in the gym I'll do just an hour on the bike, because it's so boring when it's not moving, then 45 minutes running, and then I'll do weights for an hour or so, an hour and a half."

He has gone long past the point of initial reluctance, and admits that training has become a way of life.

"I get up early in the morning if I'm home in Monaco, and go for a cycle when it's nice and quiet. That gives you the whole day then. But training can take over your life, really. You've got to work around it."

Button disagrees with the popular view that Michael Schumacher is the fitness yardstick. "Michael isn't the fittest. I'd say that Mark Webber is, cardio vascularly. And I wouldn't say I'm far behind him."

He has one regret. "It's annoying, because no-one really sees the training. It would be nice if more people saw it so that they understand what we do. They look at footballers and they think, 'Jeez, they train hell of a hard.' But they look at us and think that we just sit down for two hours in a race, how hard can it be?"

that last bolded part fits you so good you have no idea...

 

[McLaren]

In my opinion, one doesnt need to spend 12 hours a week training for formula racing outside the car...... but not many will believe that.....because they lack an open mind & are ignorant themselves (in my opinion.)

Pot calling the kettle black has never been such a fitting description.

So, tell us then, what kind of training should a Formula 1 driver spend then, per week? You're obviously the expert here, so who cares Kamui or any other person with actual motorsports experience says.

 

[Blitz24]

In my opinion, one doesnt need to spend 12 hours a week training for formula racing outside the car...... but not many will believe that.....because they lack an open mind & are ignorant themselves (in my opinion.)

I question professional racers' actual skill level because their being given an extraordinary privilege to do what they do not to mention a massive fan base, as much money as they;ll ever need & a pass on very poor behavior at times. (in my opinion). Its not right to blindly worship professional athletes, or race car drivers (in my opinion the majority of race car drivers are not athletes.) A pilot is not an athlete.

I've stated "in my opinion" enough I think.

IMO (in my opinion) MMA is 10 times the sport driving a race car is. Is driving a race car more rewarding & more fun? (I think so. )

Racers are rarely criticized, I believe that to be very wrong. Professional athletes too.

Are you a Formula 1 Driver? Are you in F3000? Are you even racing in anything other than on a video game? If the answer to all of the above is no, then you have no basis for stating your opinion just due to your ignorance.

 

[dhandeh]

This thread should be closed, as it is stupid! Well half of it is stupid.