Track Star vs Field Hero

[the chi]

My thoughts were in line with Oreo's...the taxing effects of riding hard require good physical conditioning. Im no expert, but I know when Ive been rested and fit I can last a helluva lot longer than when I am out of shape. For me its a whole day versus just a few sessions worth of a track day. I would think the racers would have to be conditioned and fit mentally and physically to really perform but its an endurance test, not a sprint down a field...

[smileyman]

Like I said before the level of concentration a racer has for such a long period has to be phenomenal. I too have done the 20 minute GP and run 4-5-6-and 8 hour endurances where I got up to about an hour 20 stint. To be sharp, precise, and smooth that long takes everything you have.

A NFL player can breathe 30 seconds at a time before going back to 100% concentration. NBA stars get free throws and time outs, Soccer has enough players on field that not all are involved with every play despite being on the move.

But yeah put a Palamalu or Erlacher up against Gordon, Martin, Stoner, Hayden, Rossi and I think we know who will be able to run longer, hit harder, lift more...

[Trip]

Originally Posted by smileyman

Like I said before the level of concentration a racer has for such a long period has to be phenomenal. I too have done the 20 minute GP and run 4-5-6-and 8 hour endurances where I got up to about an hour 20 stint. To be sharp, precise, and smooth that long takes everything you have.

A NFL player can breathe 30 seconds at a time before going back to 100% concentration. NBA stars get free throws and time outs, Soccer has enough players on field that not all are involved with every play despite being on the move.

But yeah put a Palamalu or Erlacher up against Gordon, Martin, Stoner, Hayden, Rossi and I think we know who will be able to run longer, hit harder, lift more...

mental training is far different than physical training, didn't want to really add this to part of the question, more directed to the physical side of things. The amount of concentration of a racer is not of much importance to me, because at that stage in a career a lot it is second nature going through the motions. The mental concentration of a noob riding on the track for the first time and the stress on their brain would probably be at the same level if not more. Think of your first time getting on the interstate and cranking that throttle back, that speed feels completely different now. The level of mental stamina for any racing sport would be along the same lines as motogp level, even such sports as NASCAR especially on tracks like Daytona and Talladega where they are constantly running inches from each other for several hundred miles. You become desensitized to it. Real mental tests come from new and unexpected things.

[pickle.of.doom]

The physical toll riding at your limit takes on you can be huge too. Ever do an LED track day? Try staying out there for an hour! Even after your 15/20 minute session at a regularly run track day you get pretty worn out.

[fasternyou929]

Originally Posted by pickle.of.doom

The physical toll riding at your limit takes on you can be huge too. Ever do an LED track day? Try staying out there for an hour! Even after your 15/20 minute session at a regularly run track day you get pretty worn out.

I wonder how much that changes when you reach the level of WSBK/MotoGP though. The reason most of us regular track day riders get tired, IMO, is because of nerves. That takes a huge physical and mental toll.

In other words, I wonder how tired a pro racer would be after racing 40 minutes compared to a track day rider riding at their own limits for 40 minutes.

[Trip]

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

mental toll.

In other words, I wonder how tired a pro racer would be after racing 40 minutes compared to a track day rider riding at their own limits for 40 minutes.

Mental toll is huge in a lot of things in life, if I have an issue come up at work that is very very complicated and taxing to me, the mental stress from it will make me feel like I have been run over like a dump truck and I haven't really lifted a finger all day in the way of physical work. I am sure we have all had days like this at work or just home with the family when they are driving you freakin bonkers, that's why I have tried to leave that out of this discussion.

I don't think there would be a difference. Take for example running a 100m dash. If you lined up a fat guy and a gold medal athlete and told them to go 100%, they are both going to put incredible physical stresses on their body, the athlete will recover faster and obiviously whip the fuck hell out of the fat guy, because of his conditioning though. As a gp rider would be ready to go again a lot faster and be done a lot sooner than a track day novice.

This is where is it required to be in supreme physical condition to be a competitor in the sport, not just seeking an edge. When I think of people in the highest caliber of physical fitness, scrawny Valentino Rossi is not one that would pop into my head.

[smileyman]

Val would have to have a drink of champagne (as he is accustomed) and a smoke afterwards. His recovery time may not be that great. Jeff Gordon is definitely not going to out sprint Santonio Holmes let alone do so 40 times a game.

Santonio probably wouldn't recoup to well (or even think well during) after 5 hours strapped in a 150 degree car.

So I think, as a couple of you touched on, conditioning and what your used to would make a difference.

[fasternyou929]

Originally Posted by Trip

I don't think there would be a difference. Take for example running a 100m dash. If you lined up a fat guy and a gold medal athlete and told them to go 100%, they are both going to put incredible physical stresses on their body, the athlete will recover faster and obiviously whip the fuck hell out of the fat guy, because of his conditioning though. As a gp rider would be ready to go again a lot faster and be done a lot sooner than a track day novice.

Agreed, both giving 100% will tire each person out. My point was more to compare the fatigue felt by track day riders and MotoGP/WSBK racers. I think we may be over-sympathizing for the pro racers of our sport, based on our riding experiences. Maybe.

Your comparison is perfect to make the point I originally tried to, that the fatigue experienced by a track day rider may not be indicative of a pro racer. And not just because of physical training.

You see, the fat guy giving 100% in the 100m dash will exhert himself, but he isn't going to be nervous/on edge the whole time he's running. Can't say the same for a track day rider, and I think that's where a lot of the "exhausted after 15-20 minute sessions" comes in.

In other words, I wonder how much of the fatigue we all feel comes from riding, and how much of it is nerves, which I doubt plays in much at the top levels and wouldn't apply to "field heroes".

[pickle.of.doom]

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

I wonder how much that changes when you reach the level of WSBK/MotoGP though. The reason most of us regular track day riders get tired, IMO, is because of nerves. That takes a huge physical and mental toll.

In other words, I wonder how tired a pro racer would be after racing 40 minutes compared to a track day rider riding at their own limits for 40 minutes.

Yeah, I think how much something takes its toll on your body definitely depends on how often you do the activity, for sure. Not only for the nerves/mental aspect of it, but actually doing it, whatever it is, works up all the muscles and other parts that you just can't replicate in a workout or by being generally physically fit.

[smileyman]

Originally Posted by pickle.of.doom

Yeah, I think how much something takes its toll on your body definitely depends on how often you do the activity, for sure. Not only for the nerves/mental aspect of it, but actually doing it, whatever it is, works up all the muscles and other parts that you just can't replicate in a workout or by being generally physically fit.

You think muscle memory has anything to do with that? Or is it just that you don't have the mental effort to trigger and coordinate the muscles for each task? Crazy how a beat up late 30's NFL back can go just as hard and fast as a fresh 22 year old NCAA back...