Kinkajou

I have a Track day on Saturday.
A mixture of feelings are passing by.
Excitement, a lot of joy, some fear, and a lot more is going on my mind.
This usually happens to me and friday night will be long.

Guys, how do you stay cool for the main event? Or is this feeling going to wear out eventually ?

Let me hear how you manage this.

mwvettec5

Enjoy the "butterflies" while you can !!!

I didn't sleep for two nights before my first SCCA driver's school, was so excited, all I wanted to do was race. Also found myslef nearly hyper-ventilating for the first few sessions on the track, over exerting and over driving the car, but that calms down after a short time.

After you've raced for a while, you'll become calmer and more calculating before you race, but the butterflies usually comeback just before you go on the track, or while you're sitting on the grid waiting to go.

Then, after a number of years, the only time you really feel excited, or get the adreniline flowing is when something unforseen happens like a near miss of a wreck, or making a pass that you never thought possible.

Sometimes, I wish I could go back, and start over to experience it all again.

Have fun !!!

linutux

I haven't done that many so far. So I still share your anticipation.

I watch a lot of in-car video of the track:
Good and Not-so-Good.

Also, it might seem strange, but I watch crash videos. It tends to sober me up:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=rally+crash&hl=en
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=vette+crash&hl=en

CHJ In Virginia

Sitting here at O dark - 30 typing responses to forum posts helps ease the situation a bit. The anticipation rush of the event I'm going to today is half of what makes this hobby so much fun. I hope that it never goes away !!

John Shiels

bottle of scotch

wtknght1

I thought those feelings would eventually go away for me too...but now in my 18th year of schools and racing, I still have them.

My resting heart rate is normally below 60, but on the grid waiting to go out on track (race, school, etc) it pumps up to 90-100. On the formation lap just before taking the green, I'm at about 130...and during the race 170-180!

I figure when the butterflies do go away, it's probably time for me to quit.

Enjoy!!!!

96CollectorSport

I watch track videos or movies with some good driving in it, LeMans, Gone in 60 Seconds heck even Fast & the Furious ain't bad. Kind of gets the blood going. Personally I like track vids, no matter what track you are going to You Tube has it.
One to stay away from though is Grand Prix, kind of a downer and reminds you of the "riskier" side of our hobby. I watched it before a Road America DE and it really took away some of the fun.

Red Gump

I've been driving adn racing a bit now and I still get butterflies. in fact, every time I'm called to grid I run to the can to take a leak.

breathe deep, take it in. make sure your car is prepped and ready. eat something light and drink plenty of water (not gatorade). I munch on cough-drops just prior to taking the grid, helps open up my sinuses.

95jersey

I am so busy doing crap to my car, I don't have time to think about it. I usually work the entire night before the event and the morning of the event.

oh...and a nice martini or manhattan does the trick as well.

StArrow68

I agree about watching track videos to get a feel for any new track. I
have 4+ years on track and still have trouble sleeping some nights
before a TT or other day where I want to do well on track. If I know
it is just for practice and I won't be timing I seem to calm down more.
However, I agree that being keyed up is one of the great things about
going on track. Then again, since I play some Volleyball, getting a good
night of open play and working up a real sweat can get me the couple
hours sleep I need to feel good the next day.
Randy

The Spark

At my last HPDE they showed some stats on the heart rate of one of the professional race drivers.

Resting heartrate was around 50bpm. When he climbs in the car it goes to 90bpm. During the race it goes to 130bpm.

The organizer had an exercise for us to calm down (yeah right). Take a deep breath for something like 5 seconds and exhale for 10 seconds. I think it makes you focus on slowing your breathing down.

I get nervous the day before and especially before the first track session. Part of the rush.

0Paul Ruggeri

Avoid caffeine or any food that may aggravate your stomach. Make a list of everything you need to take and do before you go to the track. Get there early. Basically try to minimize your stress level. Finally find something to laugh about before you head out onto the track .


Have fun, Paul

yakisoba

Yeah, second that. Laughter is good way to relax. Before the event, concentrate on prep. Make sure you have everything you will need to make your event comfortable and fun. A good chair is important. Watch videos, eat light and avoid caffeine in excess. Breathing exercises help, both before and during the event. Get hydrated; don't wait to get to the track to start that.

I still get butterflies in first session. After the warmup lap, I'm calm.

BFoster

I just remember that I'm not the only one who probably feels the same way. As mentioned before, all butterflies go away after the first lap or so.

I also think about making the first lap or two throw away laps just to get the jitters out. Then it's all business!

Solo2GS

Same feeling a kid has a couple of days before they are go to Disneyland for the first time!

Joseesp

Don't worry. Joy will take over after the first few laps.

Kinkajou

Wow!

And I thought I was kind of alone on this feelings. that makes me feel OK and ready to go!

I'll share some pictures next week. it should be interesting because they will get some bikes and alternate cars and bikes.

Thanks guys

anotherone

same feelings for me too. Thanks for this thread!

LehmanZ06

Try to find a large breasted woman in your line of sight------

and keep staring at her, or rather at them. Works like a charm----

But if that solution were to get you too worked up---then you could always try the opposite and imagine yourself kissing the oldest broad you have seen in the last couple of weeks.

PS---note---don't try this last one if you have had any reason to go into a nursing home during that time.

Good Luck

Kinkajou

Well, track day was kind of a success.
I did calm down with your advise guys. It was really great, real fun.

I was competitive but not as much as I thought I would be.
4 cylinders turbocharged where incredibly fast and I could keep with their pace but could not take them over.

Turbos are great here because of high altitude ( 2200mts above sea level!)
Problem was I enden the track day with braking problems. I will open a new thread for recomendations on this.
Thanks guys