Track Endurance...how to improve

[admranger]

A cool shirt helped a ton for me when I was racing, but I've seen air temps of 109 deg F at the start of the race before!

I try to do a little mental mantra on each straight as it prevents me from drifting off into la-la land: check your mirrors (coming into last turn before straight), check your gauges, breathe, relax.

I've ran a 2-hour "enduro" at Phoenix International Raceway (1.5 mile roval circuit) in cold weather (no cool shirt) and it was no big deal. I've also run 1 hour at LV Speedway (old roval circa 2000 or so) at the end of a 3 hour night enduro where the air temp at midnight (checkered flag) was 100 deg F -- no cool shirt -- I was wiped -- I'd also run a practice, qual, and sprint race earlier that day in the heat. With a cool shirt I'd have been good to go.

[leo95se]

Originally Posted by sin911

Oh, also going a 100% of your capabilities will wear you out as well. Remain in a comfort zone a tad below your best to keep at ease and relaxed.

The faster you go, the more heat your tires will build, and start becoming slippery. When you reach your car's capabilities the car will start sliding whether from the front or the rear tires. And you must be mentally and physically ready to catch and correct the car, it is straining for most people (including me sometimes).

this, and mental focus. i completely agree. when i started out (not that i am experienced), my first day completely wiped me. now, other than the hustle bustle, tire swaps, heat, etc; i am ok through a weekend.

then again, pushing yourself mentally and physically is the only way to improve, so maybe its a good thing!

[mid-corner fun]

Great thread and really good advice. I know I'm stating the obvious but some simple/common sense actions have helped me tremendously make it through track days completely focused and energized.

1. I stopped driving to events the morning of. Waking up at 2am, driving 3-5 hours to the track and rushing to get ready for 4-6 sessions a day is apparently detrimental to mental endurance. A good night's sleep is necessary for mental focus and clarity.

2. No car work during events (unless necessary). Even swapping out brakes, flushing fluids etc will dehydrate you fast out in the sun. If work is needed, I kick everybody out of the tent and park the car in the shade.

3. Go in with Plan A, have Plan B ready. I never go out on a session without a specific plan of attack. Sometimes I'm hunting for half a sec, some other times I'm testing lines, tire pressures and slip angles. I've found that I get mentally tired easily if I go out there and drive around aimlessly. Don't get me wrong it's still fun, but it's not focused driving. Sometimes Plan A is foiled: too much traffic, limp modes, wrong tire pressure, I don't just aim to "save" the session, I shoot for an alternate test that is not impacted by the current problem at hand.

4. Similar to the advice above, I use the straights to relax and ensure I'm not tense by lifting thumps then rest of fingers off the wheel, one hand at a time. Check gauges, take a good breath.

Most importantly, crack a couple of beers open at the end of the day and enjoy with friends and track buddies!

[bigjae1976]

The last three times I set a PR lap I had smoked a stogie before that session...odd.