Track Star vs Field Hero

[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.

[Trip]

Originally Posted by 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.

I don't know I could see Santanio surviving it. Hell look at fatass Tony Stewart and some of the old timers in the truck/Busch Series. Santanio could hang with them in that type of conditioning.

[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".

[Trip]

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

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".

Depends on what sport it is as well. I played lacrosse and the first few games and practices I played at full speed, I was hella nervous about getting hit with that little damn rubber ball at over 100mph. Football probably is the same way until after you get that one big hit and you either lose your nerves or just cant take it anymore.