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      09-15-2012, 01:21 PM   #1
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Track Endurance...how to improve

At this point, I think I've gotten to where I want to be at in most aspects of my driving for my short term goal (to have FUN!). I would like to eventually get into wheel to wheel racing later in life when I have more time and resouces available. And the one thing that I would like to improve is my mental endurance beyond the typical 20 minute HPDE sessions.

I find that I can go pretty strong for about 15 minutes. 15-20 minutes I'll be pretty good. 20-25 minutes becomes a challenge. Then after 25 minutes I go into full retard and my ADHD kicks in. At that point I usually come off the track via pavement...one time grass, sand, and a couple of black flags were involved. The longest I've gone is 33 minutes (that's what she said).

I'm in very good physical condition and can max the army physical fitness test easily. I know how to train physically...I just inflict maximum pain and suffering on myself. Not sure how to or if I want to take that approach with my head. I stay well hydrated with water, so that's not an issue. I know I can improve my nutrition...don't think a trackside burger is great brain food. But do I really want to get caught eating a salad at the track? Not sure I can endure that ridicule.

With all humorous comments aside, what kinds of things have people done to improve their mental endurance on the track?
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      09-15-2012, 01:41 PM   #2
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Time for you to try chumpcar race. You will be driving for 2 hours at a time. You'll learn to move more "data processing" to your subconscious. More things will become second nature and you get in the zone. Harnesses help tremendously.

There is no reason why you're fading at 20 minutes except that you're still doing too much. Relax more...it works.
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      09-15-2012, 01:54 PM   #3
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Quote:
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There is no reason why you're fading at 20 minutes except that you're still doing too much. Relax more...it works.

Agree. Learn to relax and surge only periodically during the race. You can't be on the edge all the time.
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      09-15-2012, 02:37 PM   #4
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Discipline. Building that discipline during everyday driving. Like in aviation, we have a saying, "fly the aircraft, don't let the aircraft fly you". Meaning, don't be lazy and let the car do what it wants and then react to it. Know what the car is going to do and be one step in front. Be inch perfect every time you get behind the wheel, placing the car exactly where you want it to be. That's my method and it works pretty well.
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      09-15-2012, 04:00 PM   #5
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Eating and drinking healthy before/during the event.
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      09-15-2012, 04:04 PM   #6
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Eating and drinking healthy before/during the event.
Sounds to me like the best advice given your current fitness level.
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      09-15-2012, 05:30 PM   #7
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In addition to everything said, when I'm at the track I don't drink alcohol (at dinner) and force myself to get 8 hours of sleep.

Eating right, drinking lots of water and sleeping has helped me concentrate longer.
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      09-15-2012, 07:42 PM   #8
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Quote:
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There is no reason why you're fading at 20 minutes except that you're still doing too much. Relax more...it works.
Thanks. I'll work at more relaxed driving. I probably need to use the straights to ease the tension a little more. So I guess more seat time helps as well. I really wanted to see if anyone did some weird meditation or yoga thing that I could copy.

I used to start out really relaxed and work incrementally up to speed after 2-3 laps. I wanna say I didn't feel as beat down afterwards. Since I've moved up to the advanced (red) group with the DE organization I run with the most. In red, as soon as you pass the grid marshall, "bitch its on!". Ain't no let's take it slow on the first lap or even in the hot pits. So you're on full attack the entire session. So this mental endurance thing has become more of an issue as of late.

I did 3 long sessions yesterday afternoon, about 1 hour on track within 2.5 hours. I played ice hockey afterwards and was doing all types of totally retarded things that I rarely do...like make passes tape to tape to the other team. I'm always shocked at the effect that high performance driving has on me.
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      09-15-2012, 07:51 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CBS View Post
In addition to everything said, when I'm at the track I don't drink alcohol (at dinner) and force myself to get 8 hours of sleep.

Eating right, drinking lots of water and sleeping has helped me concentrate longer.
I drink a ton of water already. The sleep problem can't really be fixed. The first day is usually more of an issue because I drive 2 hours to most tracks. The night before, I'm usually trying to fight with my almost 3 y/o son to go to sleep until really late (don't ask, mom spoils him).

Food? I could start brining lunch...like fruit and yogurt. But that's hard because on one track the only covered parking is right near the caterer. So I smell burgers all morning in the paddock.
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      09-15-2012, 07:58 PM   #10
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I find driving to be very meditative. One of the things I do is make a large inhalation/exhalation going onto the straights as a way of clearing things into a long session (have pulled 45 min sessions) Also, I am barely holding the steering wheel which helps with fatigue over the duration and a bunch of what was already said
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      09-15-2012, 08:12 PM   #11
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Thanks for the advice! I'll work some more relaxing/breathing into my on track routine more often. I do it now, just not enough.
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      09-15-2012, 09:07 PM   #12
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OP: I did a Kart 3 hour Enduro recently, Joe Amato participated.
Food served: All types of Fruit sectioned for easy eating, lots of bananas, juices (no soda), cheese squares and deli meat.

I think it helped to keep us sharp.
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      09-15-2012, 10:21 PM   #13
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keeping your head and body cool can make a big difference. An instructor gave that tip and it's made a big difference for me.
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      09-16-2012, 01:49 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bame_E92 View Post
Eating and drinking healthy before/during the event.
And no more cigars

Quote:
Originally Posted by bigjae1976 View Post
At this point, I think I've gotten to where I want to be at in most aspects of my driving for my short term goal (to have FUN!). I would like to eventually get into wheel to wheel racing later in life when I have more time and resouces available. And the one thing that I would like to improve is my mental endurance beyond the typical 20 minute HPDE sessions.

I find that I can go pretty strong for about 15 minutes. 15-20 minutes I'll be pretty good. 20-25 minutes becomes a challenge. Then after 25 minutes I go into full retard and my ADHD kicks in. At that point I usually come off the track via pavement...one time grass, sand, and a couple of black flags were involved. The longest I've gone is 33 minutes (that's what she said).

I'm in very good physical condition and can max the army physical fitness test easily. I know how to train physically...I just inflict maximum pain and suffering on myself. Not sure how to or if I want to take that approach with my head. I stay well hydrated with water, so that's not an issue. I know I can improve my nutrition...don't think a trackside burger is great brain food. But do I really want to get caught eating a salad at the track? Not sure I can endure that ridicule.

With all humorous comments aside, what kinds of things have people done to improve their mental endurance on the track?
Honestly, at the rate you are going to the track, it's time for you to get a real race car. Don't get anything fancy, get a SM. We are all taking a lot of financial risks when we put our bimmers on the race track, which at times hinders us from driving truly at the limit. When you don't give a shit about what you drive (i.e. a $10k SM), you become a part of the car. You begin to test the limit at every corner, try different lines, brake later and later...

Regarding better endurance on the track: eating, sleeping, resting, and training right will help. But when you are surrounded by 40 other cars diving and drifting into turn 1 at TWS, you will be wide awake!
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      09-16-2012, 08:10 AM   #15
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Quote:
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And no more cigars

Honestly, at the rate you are going to the track, it's time for you to get a real race car. Don't get anything fancy, get a SM. We are all taking a lot of financial risks when we put our bimmers on the race track, which at times hinders us from driving truly at the limit. When you don't give a shit about what you drive (i.e. a $10k SM), you become a part of the car. You begin to test the limit at every corner, try different lines, brake later and later...

Regarding better endurance on the track: eating, sleeping, resting, and training right will help. But when you are surrounded by 40 other cars diving and drifting into turn 1 at TWS, you will be wide awake!
Yeah, I've stopped smoking the last two times at the track.

I've been toying with buying a spec Miata. My problem is I will move at least twice in the next 18 months. So the last thing I need is to drag a race car back and forth. Then I need a two vehicle and trailer.

But I think the most viable option for me is to just prep the 330. I just need to strip it out and add a cage/seats. I could technically keep it on the street as long as its registered here in Killeen. It passes a legitimate state inspection without "the hook up" (no emissions). I wouldn't call the place thorough. But damn, the 330 is so clean. The exterior is in awesome shape besides the 3 minor dings and zip tie holding the right side of the bumper on.

In the end, I'm just doing this for fun. Not looking to drive competitively at this point.
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      09-16-2012, 09:31 AM   #16
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If you're worried about moving and not wanting a tow rig, you can just buy a Miata and prep it for HPDEs. Get a Miata of the generation of your choice, add a roll bar, suspension, wheels and tires and you've got a car you can drive to the track and enjoy that won't be a huge pain when it comes time for those moves. If you decide to step up to Spec Miata later, you can finish prepping the car and get a tow rig.
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      09-16-2012, 09:57 AM   #17
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If you're worried about moving and not wanting a tow rig, you can just buy a Miata and prep it for HPDEs. Get a Miata of the generation of your choice, add a roll bar, suspension, wheels and tires and you've got a car you can drive to the track and enjoy that won't be a huge pain when it comes time for those moves. If you decide to step up to Spec Miata later, you can finish prepping the car and get a tow rig.
Sheesh...that would be car #4 with 2 licensed drivers! Plus my wife looked kind of pissed when I showed her a miata ad on craigslist and told her I might buy it.

Favor with my wife > miata

I'm already in that situation with my 330 which I can drive to the track. I'm not terribly concerned about the 330 on the track. It might be a relief if I crash it...then I'd stop spending money on it (joke). At this point, I'm fully vested in it. The money I've spend so far is gone, will never recoup it. Even if I take all of the aftermarket parts off, I'd spend so much time and money procuring the OEM parts and reinstalling it...it wouldn't even be worth it. Honestly, the resale would be terrible...123,000 miles with almost 40 hours of track time on it.

With that said, I never go to the track without a backup plan to get home.
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      09-16-2012, 10:14 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigjae1976 View Post
Sheesh...that would be car #4 with 2 licensed drivers! Plus my wife looked kind of pissed when I showed her a miata ad on craigslist and told her I might buy it.

Favor with my wife > miata

I'm already in that situation with my 330 which I can drive to the track. I'm not terribly concerned about the 330 on the track. It might be a relief if I crash it...then I'd stop spending money on it (joke). At this point, I'm fully vested in it. The money I've spend so far is gone, will never recoup it. Even if I take all of the aftermarket parts off, I'd spend so much time and money procuring the OEM parts and reinstalling it...it wouldn't even be worth it. Honestly, the resale would be terrible...123,000 miles with almost 40 hours of track time on it.

With that said, I never go to the track without a backup plan to get home.
I hear you. We're currently at four cars for two licensed drivers and that 2:1 ratio is not lost on my wife. If you can feel like your 330 is a 'track rat,' then it sounds like you're all set unless (until?) you decide to get something dedicated to the track.
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      09-16-2012, 11:08 AM   #19
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You should seriously look at buying a seat in a chumpcar race. Your money goes pretty far for $ per seat hour. At least go check one out. It's really a more fun way to spend time at the track without all the commitment of campaigning your own car.

You would then see the 330 is the car that doesn't belong anymore. People buy cars for the track, if you prep it right...you'll get a return. See my sig!
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      09-16-2012, 11:37 AM   #20
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You would then see the 330 is the car that doesn't belong anymore.
Don't talk about my 330 like that!

Seriously, I realized that a 330 is not an ideal track car awhile ago. Especially since an M3 is not THAT much more from the start and the M3 is cheaper over the long run.

I got to drive a stripped E36 M3 last weekend that was really down on power and shot motor mounts. So it had no balls and shifting was quite interesting. I fully came to this realization after that.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Car54 View Post
You should seriously look at buying a seat in a chumpcar race. Your money goes pretty far for $ per seat hour. At least go check one out. It's really a more fun way to spend time at the track without all the commitment of campaigning your own car.
I've got some life changes going on right now so racing will have to go on the back burner. But I will definitely do it. I may have an invite to a team when I get back to Texas...I'll take it so long as expectations are low.
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      09-16-2012, 02:59 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigjae1976 View Post
At this point, I think I've gotten to where I want to be at in most aspects of my driving for my short term goal (to have FUN!). I would like to eventually get into wheel to wheel racing later in life when I have more time and resouces available. And the one thing that I would like to improve is my mental endurance beyond the typical 20 minute HPDE sessions.

I find that I can go pretty strong for about 15 minutes. 15-20 minutes I'll be pretty good. 20-25 minutes becomes a challenge. Then after 25 minutes I go into full retard and my ADHD kicks in. At that point I usually come off the track via pavement...one time grass, sand, and a couple of black flags were involved. The longest I've gone is 33 minutes (that's what she said).

I'm in very good physical condition and can max the army physical fitness test easily. I know how to train physically...I just inflict maximum pain and suffering on myself. Not sure how to or if I want to take that approach with my head. I stay well hydrated with water, so that's not an issue. I know I can improve my nutrition...don't think a trackside burger is great brain food. But do I really want to get caught eating a salad at the track? Not sure I can endure that ridicule.

With all humorous comments aside, what kinds of things have people done to improve their mental endurance on the track?
I had the same problem in the beginning of the last season. I am very athletic and can focus for hours on calculations and stuff like that, so it was very puzzling. But the cause is very nicely explained in "Inner speed secrets" - too much of your driving is conscious, and your brain just tires out. This an be fixed mostly by practice. One example would be conscious movement vs. ballistic movement - when you apply throttle and unwind consciously, your brain is focused on both activities 100% of the time they are performed. When your brain feels confident that you know how to apply throttle and unwind in a given situation, it gives a command and disengages, unless a correction is needed, limiting focus time to about 40-80 milliseconds.

Another way to overload your brain is vision. When you look too closely or change focal point too often, brain receives many different pictures and has to process all of them. When you 1) look further so that things are moving slower; 2) change focal point rarely (quiet eye) brain has much less work to do.

I worked on that and now can do 45 minute sessions easily without need to cut them short or do a "cooldown" lap in the middle. But on a new to me track I still cannot do more than 3 full sessions a day without losing focus - proves that this is a brain fatigue issue rather than physical.
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      09-16-2012, 04:36 PM   #22
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If you're able to do this, take a 5-10 minute power nap before your session. It does wonders. Everytime I do that I beat personal lap records
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