starting line reaction tools/methods for stockers

[Dragsinger]

Racers,

let me hear about some successful methods/equipment for good starting reaction. That is to say, long throw switch, brake pedal switch, etc.

Thanks

[Michael Beard]

K.I.S.S. principle.... the less peripherals the better. Footbrake it, and get a handheld practice tree from Biondo. Train your brain.

$.02,

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

K.I.S.S. principle.... the less peripherals the better. Footbrake it, and get a handheld practice tree from Biondo. Train your brain.

$.02,

...add to that a healthy diet, lots of sleep, abstain of alcohol, sugar or caffeine the week prior and during the race.

[Dragsinger]

I appreciate both these comments. The note about healthy foods and adequate sleep is especially timely for me. My weigh and fitness level have gradually, "slipped away" and I don't like it and intend to do something about it!

[CrateCamaro]

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

...add to that a healthy diet, lots of sleep, abstain of alcohol, sugar or caffeine the week prior and during the race.

are you kidding?

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by CrateCamaro

are you kidding?

No, I am not kidding. As a matter of fact, many of the top racers do follow a diet prior to a race, exercise and get a good rest. Do you think your reaction times are going to be better after downing beers and having a steak the night before a big race?

As a matter of fact, I remember a well known Pro Stock racer at a Safeway store on a Sunday morning prior to a national event, searching for Tylenol to deal with a hangover due to excessive drinking. He admitted to another person that he only had two hours of sleep, had been partying and drinking heavily. If NHRA had taken a close look at him, probably they would not had allowed him to drive.

There is a book about motrosports driving that was written by Jackie Stewart. He wrote a whole chapter about diets and physical conditioning for racing. I feel it was one of the reasons why he became such an excellent driver.

As a matter of fact, one of the best sections in National Dragster, was the Running Healthy column with Dr. Jeremy Torstveit. He addressed many of these issues on his articles.

[Eric Merryfield]

Re the starting line follow Beards suggestions and you will never go wrong.

Re the physical end, its no secret, get your body in some sort of condition/weight level you can repeat time and time again, and put your body in that state when you practice......

Rise at the same time, hydrate the same way, take the same vitamins, exercise the same way, use caffiene/don't use caffeine the same way. Going out or not and getting wrecked, is up to you, but if you do it, do it consistently.

Pre-game/race meals and snacks should be pretty consistent.....don't loose the race due to the chili-dog blues, or tasting the shots you had the night before.

After you get to that point, then you can make the needed adjustments for everything you are taking into consideration for your car. Don't pass out due to de-hydration!

I run every day, 6-8 miles, drink the same amount of water each morning, don't try anything new, and try not to get injured when its the day before and day of an event/game.

Works for me and my hopefully slowly aging 40 year old body still playing competitive baseball, the racing thing is a newer pursuit. Your results and milage will vary.

Eric
Stk 1883

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

No, I am not kidding. As a matter of fact, many of the top racers do follow a diet prior to a race, exercise and get a good rest. Do you think your reaction times are going to be better after downing beers and having a steak the night before a big race?

As a matter of fact, I remember a well known Pro Stock racer at a Safeway store on a Sunday morning prior to a national event, searching for Tylenol to deal with a hangover due to excessive drinking. He admitted to another person that he only had two hours of sleep, had been partying and drinking heavily. If NHRA had taken a close look at him, probably they would not had allowed him to drive.

There is a book about motrosports driving that was written by Jackie Stewart. He wrote a whole chapter about diets and physical conditioning for racing. I feel it was one of the reasons why he became such an excellent driver.

As a matter of fact, one of the best sections in National Dragster, was the Running Healthy column with Dr. Jeremy Torstveit. He addressed many of these issues on his articles.

[CrateCamaro]

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

No, I am not kidding. As a matter of fact, many of the top racers do follow a diet prior to a race, exercise and get a good rest. Do you think your reaction times are going to be better after downing beers and having a steak the night before a big race?

As a matter of fact, I remember a well known Pro Stock racer at a Safeway store on a Sunday morning prior to a national event, searching for Tylenol to deal with a hangover due to excessive drinking. He admitted to another person that he only had two hours of sleep, had been partying and drinking heavily. If NHRA had taken a close look at him, probably they would not had allowed him to drive.

There is a book about motrosports driving that was written by Jackie Stewart. He wrote a whole chapter about diets and physical conditioning for racing. I feel it was one of the reasons why he became such an excellent driver.

As a matter of fact, one of the best sections in National Dragster, was the Running Healthy column with Dr. Jeremy Torstveit. He addressed many of these issues on his articles.

I agree that dowing 6 beers before first round isn't a good thing. Thats drinking and driving in my books and thats not cool. But if you thing that eating oats and salads and peanuts and drinking water is going to help your reaction time you best think again. You can't drive...you can't drive...period. Id like to call myself a recreational drinker at the races. I have a few rye and cokes after all the racing is done and ya we do eat steaks and hamburgers...ect. Its never hurt my reaction time....but it does need help. And I would never look at the food im eating to cure it. Never. Im not a National Eveny winner...im a Weekend Warrior that is in the sport for fun...not to make a living. I race Stock because I love muscle cars and I love going fast with stock parts. If you are in this sport to attemt to make a living then you should take up something else because its a Weekend Warrior that enjoys himself at the races and parties with his friends that will put the guy who is reading a Martha Stewart book on "How to Cut a Light" on the trailer.

[CrateCamaro]

Originally Posted by 1664SSJA

It always amazed me that if you look around....it's easy.... the ones most serious about what they do, and those doing best, are doing what you say, Its a no brainer. I would venture to guess if some people were tested in the morning, they'd prob blow over the limit!
NOT good.

Your absolutely right. Some people can't see the difference between having a few and having too many. What scares me is all the clowns flying around on golfcars and atv's drunk when my car is outside the trailer. Im going to have to ask Dan Fletcher what he does next time I talk to him in the lanes. I can remember a second call for superstock to the lanes and passing him while he was walking back to his trailer with an ice cream. If eating ice cream will help me win a national count me in.

[Don Whitmore]

Or, you could try the John Force method...gulp down Reese's Cups while in the lanes.