Ford CEO racing at Daytona

[Bill Pemberton]

I figured you had to have a larger fuel cell for your time on track, yet even at that I better towards the end of a stint the driver is in economy mode, ha.

 

[PatrickStapler]

I should add, it also sounds the best...

 

[PatrickStapler]

I figured you had to have a larger fuel cell for your time on track, yet even at that I better towards the end of a stint the driver is in economy mode, ha.

Affirmative...it is mentally and physically draining...especially on HOT days, even with a cool shirt and fresh air running through the helmet. NOLA last September was the worst. It literally rained all 8 hours on Saturday. At one point, it was raining so hard I couldn't see the nose of the car...had at least five gallons of water sloshing around in the floor boards. The only time I knew there was a car in front of me was when I could see taillights.

 

[GimpyHSHS]

Affirmative...it is mentally and physically draining...especially on HOT days, even with a cool shirt and fresh air running through the helmet. NOLA last September was the worst. It literally rained all 8 hours on Saturday. At one point, it was raining so hard I couldn't see the nose of the car...had at least five gallons of water sloshing around in the floor boards. The only time I knew there was a car in front of me was when I could see taillights.

That sucks. We are really looking forward to this one, hopefully we get a good outing. This is our first go at endurance racing, so we're not really sure what to expect on driver's stints and things. We have a lot of prep work still to do, including the roll cage (it should be going in over the next couple of weeks). There's also no trans in the car at the moment (off getting gone through). The rear end needs regearing. Suspension bushings need replaced. I'm trying to cover all the important things I think may fail, but there are just so dang many things that keep popping into my head. We will be down to the wire on the car, not to mention ourselves. I could stand to lose a LOT of weight between here and there, and get better conditioned overall. A 30-minute exhibition race at the Ford and Shelby meet last year was tough (not really during, but after). Of course, that was at Hallett/Oklahoma, in June, in a 95 Mustang with 315s, a lot of caster, and a protesting power steering setup. Daytona in April ought to be nicer; if it's not raining, that is.

 

[PatrickStapler]

Suspect you will be in our class...D. The main thing you and all of your drivers must get in your mind, this is NOT like open track. You have to turn laps...and laps...and laps... You cant go into it thinking this is just another 20-30 sprint. No where near it. Consistent smooth laps will pay huge dividends. Start pushing too hard...shiznit starts breaking.

Yes...Mid-America at Hallett is rough...especially with no power/assist anything. 30 minute sessions are almost too long and we all run cool shirts. Pretty sure last years track temps were 120F+. I get out of the car soaking wet there.

 

[GimpyHSHS]

Suspect you will be in our class...D. The main thing you and all of your drivers must get in your mind, this is NOT like open track. You have to turn laps...and laps...and laps... You cant go into it thinking this is just another 20-30 sprint. No where near it. Consistent smooth laps will pay huge dividends. Start pushing too hard...shiznit starts breaking.

Yes...Mid-America at Hallett is rough...especially with no power/assist anything. 30 minute sessions are almost too long and we all run cool shirts. Pretty sure last years track temps were 120F+. I get out of the car soaking wet there.

No sir, we're in Class C. My complaint about the heat was a little thoughtless, I guess. My power steering complains at 8.5* caster and big tires, buuuut at least I have it!

That's what we've been discussing. From where we're starting at, I'm really not sure how this car will do. We're 5 laps in the hole out the gate. Which means we gotta push a little...but we almost can't push it and expect the car to take it for that long.

Eh. We're there to have fun. We figure we won't finish, much less finish well. We're gonna do a lot of driver swaps at the beginning just in case there's

 

[PatrickStapler]

I wish you all the best...it will definitely be fun.

 

[PatrickStapler]

No sir, we're in Class C.

You guys running a V6?

 

[Dave_W]

Remember that a driver is as much an athlete as in other sports. Take crib notes from other endurance sports like Tour de France, marathons, Ironman, etc. See what they do diet-wise to prepare before an event and maintain performance during an event - not only types of food but the timing of each type. And make sure you don't get behind on hydration.

This is what you have to eat to compete in the Tour de France

Three weeks, 21 stages, 3,351km, 176 cyclists and a combined burn of 25 million calories — so what exactly goes into fuelling the riders of the Tour de France?

www.cyclingweekly.com

 

[GimpyHSHS]

You guys running a V6?

Yessir, 2011 with the 3.7.

Remember that a driver is as much an athlete as in other sports. Take crib notes from other endurance sports like Tour de France, marathons, Ironman, etc. See what they do diet-wise to prepare before an event and maintain performance during an event - not only types of food but the timing of each type. And make sure you don't get behind on hydration.

This is what you have to eat to compete in the Tour de France

Three weeks, 21 stages, 3,351km, 176 cyclists and a combined burn of 25 million calories — so what exactly goes into fuelling the riders of the Tour de France?

www.cyclingweekly.com

Yes, that's been on my mind. I usually take snack bars and loads of Gatorade/Powerade and other stuff with electrolytes to the track with me. A big ice chest full. If I drink straight water all day, doesn't matter how much, I'm dehydrated and my muscles are on fire that night, cramping up when I move.

 

[Bill Pemberton]

You probably should still hit plenty of water and not just Gatorade, etc. Tons of sodium in many of those drinks and a balanced approach is likely better, imho.

 

[GimpyHSHS]

You probably should still hit plenty of water and not just Gatorade, etc. Tons of sodium in many of those drinks and a balanced approach is likely better, imho.

Yep, I do both. Just can't do only water. AutoCross two days a month gave me opportunities to test what worked early on. Driving hard, then running around to spray tires, check pressures, then walk to the middle of the airstrip to chase after cones is tough (especially in the June-August Arkansas heat). With pure, unadulterated water, I would go home and try to crawl into bed, and my back spasms up...I try to stretch it out, and the muscles in my ribs tense up... so I try to hold sideways and stretch them both...then my arms would start spasming...rough.

Usually 2-3 Gatorades on a hot day and 8-10 bottles of water. But I have found sodium is the key for me. I also take some Cool Ranch Doritos with me for lunchtime (along with a sandwich or something else). And for Hallett every year, a couple pickles. With that combination, I don't have any problems.

 

[Bill Pemberton]

Well, I guess there are some advantages to autocrossing farther North in Nebraska , out of that Southern humidity , ha.
Seriously, sounds like you are doing what everyone needs to do when racing in the heat ---- folks often don't realize it is very necessary when autocrossing too.

 

[Dave_W]

You can also throw a banana into the snack mix to replenish your potassium levels.

The cramping after heavy hydration with just water is pretty typical, unfortunately. It's from loss of electrolytes - you've replaced the water you've sweated out, but not the salts. I usually go with 1 Gatorade-type drink to every 1-2 bottles of water.