How hard could it be to sit in a car? It doesn’t sound hard, or physically demanding. Heck falling asleep is actually a huge risk and most people can fall asleep easily as passengers. Driving a race car is obviously a little different, but is it physically demanding?
I have been in race cars since 2013, and by in, I mean physically getting in them. I can tell you a huge difference between my first time as co-driver vs my latest turn as a driver. Not only was my first race experience unexpected, it was just short of ‘shit your pants’ terrifying.
A little background for you all. I had ridden with Hunter in #wasabi before she was actually wasabi one time at a park called COR in Deer Trail, a small town outside of Denver. The park is no longer there but the memories will last forever. Thankfully the borrowed helmet I was using didn’t have comm’s so he couldn’t hear the screaming from his passenger seat. Did he take it easy on me that first time? Absolutely not, but I survived and once over the shock, I loved the experience. When we attended our first race together in Cortez, Hunter decided he did in fact want a co-driver and who was there to do it<insert nervous laughter> me!
This isn’t about my first race experience so I won’t include all of the details. Instead this is about how important I feel being in shape is to our program. That first race and subsequent experiences from the years that followed often taxed my physical health. The form of racing we do, known as Ultra4, is often compared to hours long car accidents. Now that sounds terrible but it isn’t far from the truth. Impacts from other cars, hitting trees, drops off ledges, jumps, sharp turns, sudden stops and accelerations and of course, roll overs, are all part of almost every race we attend. We wear safety gear in the cars, and work hard to maintain the vehicles between each race to maintain safety. Those first races left us feeling bruised and battered, often requiring copious amounts of Advil to recover.
Fast forward to today. Our program has grown and we now race two cars, sometimes back to back for hours over the same courses. The extreme heat that comes from the engines, plus most of the races taking place in the middle of summer, makes the temperatures in the car comparable to a sauna. We wear full three layer fire suits that zip up to your neck, SFI(fire certified) gloves, heavy helmets, neck restraints, and full leather boots. Add to that the constant work of wrestling 37-40″ tires through rocks and trees and it feels like running a marathon. We have been working for years to improve our capabilities and get every little detail nailed down so that on race day we are ready. I have always enjoyed working out, competing in the Crossfit Open, running Tough Mudder’s, and even doing a body building competition. This year is the first year we have fully dedicated to having fitness trainers and working out 5-6 days a week.
The difference in performance is astounding. I can’t say enough about how much has improved with our workouts. We found a gym that fits our vibe and lifestyle. Attending high intensity interval training and weight lifting class 5 days a week has even made working on the cars easier. The muscle control and breathing control that comes with HIIT has made navigating courses under physical stress much easier. The added strength from weight lifting has also made working in pits easier. I no longer get out of the car feeling like I was hit by a truck. Lifting tires on and off the car is easier. Getting transfer cases out of the cars is easier, as is tightening and loosening bolts. I no longer co-drive for Hunter for safety reasons, but driving my own car has become easier. I want to be able to lift my own tires if I blow a tire mid race, I need to be able to make good choices even when I am physically exhausted.
At the end of a race my fire suit is still soaked with sweat. These days I am able to recover faster and not feel as terrible as when I first started. A few bottles of water and some rehydration supplements and I am feeling great! I am able turn around and pit for Hunter, another place I need to be physically strong. Nobody wants to be the person that drops the fuel jug or needs help to get a tire in place and slow down a pit stop, not even the wife!
Our cars get race prepped every race so why shouldn’t we? Dedicating so much time, money, and energy to racing it only makes sense that we maximize our efforts by making sure we are physically tiptop. The gym may not be for everyone, like I said, we found an amazing place full of people and trainers that support our needs. Maybe walking, or working out at home is more your speed. Whatever you do, I recommend investing in your body in some way to maximize your performance in your car. Gone are the days of showing up hungover and hoping you survive a race. To be competitive in this sport you need all the help you can get! Plus the faster you recover the easier it is to get home and relax!
Until next time!
-Kimberly