What sport incorporates fast speeds, loud noises, crazy fans and a whole lot of competition? Race car driving!
Race car driving is a sport that embodies characteristics different than other sport because the performance is not only determined by the driver, but also by the handling of a car going 225 mph. I work at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the world renowned Indianapolis 500 and I have learned more about motor sports than I thought possible.
Recently,I have heard people question: “Is race car driving even a sport?," “Is it physically demanding?," “Should women be allowed in the sport?" The answers to all of these questions…YES!
According to Ryan Harber, head athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach of a race car team, core training is key to success in driving. “Your pillar of strength comes from dozens of muscles…they stabilize the body and improve its resistance to injury and long-term ailments. If you think of the body as a wheel, the core is the hub, and the limbs are the spokes. We want the hub perfectly aligned so we can draw energy from it and effectively transfer energy through the body." He also mentions that drivers have more muscle strength on the front side compared to the back side of their bodies, which causes posture problems that can hinder performance; so attention to perfect posture is also important.
Drivers are considered high performance athletes instead of power athletes. Over a long period of time during a race, the driver experiences many repetitions, thus training for endurance is more important then anything. Harber says, “Drivers should train like cross country runners or triathletes because of the long durations in the car under intense physical demands. Weight lifting should be light with high repetitions, also focusing on low body fat percentage instead of actual weight."
Driving is exhausting because of the high G-forces, shocks and heat. Harber mentions that in certain situations, such as closed cockpits, the temperature can reach 167 degrees F and body core temperature can be between 105-106 degrees F. With these conditions, drivers are capable of losing 5-10% of their body weight due to dehydration. Overall, speed, reaction time, core strength and physical endurance are the most important components that race car drivers focus on in training. Now if anyone still wants to say that race car driving isn't a sport... they should reconsider their argument!
-Katie Osborne
age: 22city: OMAHA, NESelected from countless girls, Brittany impressed us the most. Athleticism. Charisma. Sports-savvy. She has it all - including the Nike contract.
