Track?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Track?
Hi,
I have new Corvette (and CTS-V) fever and I want to start participating in track events (courses between 1.6 - 2.2 miles at a closed airport). Fortunately, I did a reality check before starting. I have a ruptured disc in my lower back that keeps me from playing golf and basketball. I seldom have back trouble due to normal daily events. My Vette and CTS-V are both paddle shifters. In your opinion, would it be safe (provided I do not get into an accident) on my back to participate in track events?
Best regards,
Jeffrey
I have new Corvette (and CTS-V) fever and I want to start participating in track events (courses between 1.6 - 2.2 miles at a closed airport). Fortunately, I did a reality check before starting. I have a ruptured disc in my lower back that keeps me from playing golf and basketball. I seldom have back trouble due to normal daily events. My Vette and CTS-V are both paddle shifters. In your opinion, would it be safe (provided I do not get into an accident) on my back to participate in track events?
Best regards,
Jeffrey
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Maple ON
Isn't this a question for a doctor who understands your exact condition and how potential forces from racing could impact your back?
The closest comparison I can think of is how you feel on a large rollercoaster - and could you go around again and again? ...And imagine the rollercoaster hitting come curbing once in a while... :-)
The closest comparison I can think of is how you feel on a large rollercoaster - and could you go around again and again? ...And imagine the rollercoaster hitting come curbing once in a while... :-)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Isn't this a question for a doctor who understands your exact condition and how potential forces from racing could impact your back?
The closest comparison I can think of is how you feel on a large rollercoaster - and could you go around again and again? ...And imagine the rollercoaster hitting come curbing once in a while... :-)
The closest comparison I can think of is how you feel on a large rollercoaster - and could you go around again and again? ...And imagine the rollercoaster hitting come curbing once in a while... :-)
No doubt, I would need to ask my doctor. My concern is he probably has no track experience and would not know what to compare it to.
Thanks for the rollercoaster comparison. I was afraid that would be the comparison. I'm very sorry to say that I would not get on a large rollercoaster multiple times.
Best regards,
Jeffrey
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 62
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From: Maple ON
Just to clarify - you are unlikely to experience the 'compression' of going down a steep hill and then going back up again like you would on a rollercoaster but it depends on the track you run. But you will certainly feel some serious forces while going around corners, brakeing super-hard and launching out of corners.
The other thing I'd like to add is that if you enter a lapping day and join the novice group - if you've driven aggressively on the street before and felt fine then the experience would likely be similar to that - but to get really good and ultimately get low lap times, a bad back is probably something you will want to deal with first...
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
The other thing I'd like to add is that if you enter a lapping day and join the novice group - if you've driven aggressively on the street before and felt fine then the experience would likely be similar to that - but to get really good and ultimately get low lap times, a bad back is probably something you will want to deal with first...
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Just to clarify - you are unlikely to experience the 'compression' of going down a steep hill and then going back up again like you would on a rollercoaster but it depends on the track you run. But you will certainly feel some serious forces while going around corners, brakeing super-hard and launching out of corners.
The other thing I'd like to add is that if you enter a lapping day and join the novice group - if you've driven aggressively on the street before and felt fine then the experience would likely be similar to that - but to get really good and ultimately get low lap times, a bad back is probably something you will want to deal with first...
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
The other thing I'd like to add is that if you enter a lapping day and join the novice group - if you've driven aggressively on the street before and felt fine then the experience would likely be similar to that - but to get really good and ultimately get low lap times, a bad back is probably something you will want to deal with first...
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to know and probably a lot more track related knowledge than my doctor has.
Maybe an acceptable (at least temporarily) compromise will be to join a novice group and keep it simple. My back does fine driving aggressively on open Texas roads (when nobody else is around). I want to be able to drive more aggressively and certainly do not want to do it on public roads. I'm having a real hard time controlling the urge.
Having a bad back sucks but, IMO, so does the idea of back surgery.
Best regards,
Jeffrey
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
On the other hand, you're kidding, right? I can't imagine road racing if you have a serious back problem.
I had back surgery 18 years ago. Before the surgery, there was always pain -- sometimes mild, sometimes bad, sometimes worse. Some days I could barely walk. Road racing? Not a chance.
Bottom Line: IMO the physical stresses of road racing will aggravate a bad back. Only you can decide if it's worth it.
If you need a back-friendly cheap thrill or just want to blow off stream by driving hard & fast, try drag racing AT A TRACK (Dragstrip Finder). If you've never done it, it's VERY easy (and VERY inexpensive) to get started -- but the devil's in the details. So find a friend that knows the ropes. And have fun!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City MO
I can help with this. I broke my neck in 3 places and my back in two places in 2000. I have had 3 spinal surgeries, had 3 of my vertebrea replaced and have plates screwed into my neck and several fusions. I have been on Oxycodone for 8 years and still love to race. I have not done any road courses yet but I will. I was doing the 1/4 mile in my old TA. here are a couple of links to it.
http://www.rumblebee.org/album_page.php?pic_id=22296
http://www.rumblebee.org/album_page.php?pic_id=22295
a little over 500hp and 4.56 gears. After two runs I would feel it in my back and neck but like someone posted above. You do only live once and I am glad to be alive and still want to enjoy cars and racing. some times after racing I can barely walk for two or three days but I am always glad I had the fun at the track and will continue to race until I am crippled. (which is coming, spinal desease). I take 6-7 doses of pain killers a day and do everything I can to enjoy life.
Go for it, start out slow and see what you can take. It is less painful than the 100+ spinal epidurals I have gone through.
hope this helps
http://www.rumblebee.org/album_page.php?pic_id=22296
http://www.rumblebee.org/album_page.php?pic_id=22295
a little over 500hp and 4.56 gears. After two runs I would feel it in my back and neck but like someone posted above. You do only live once and I am glad to be alive and still want to enjoy cars and racing. some times after racing I can barely walk for two or three days but I am always glad I had the fun at the track and will continue to race until I am crippled. (which is coming, spinal desease). I take 6-7 doses of pain killers a day and do everything I can to enjoy life.
Go for it, start out slow and see what you can take. It is less painful than the 100+ spinal epidurals I have gone through.
hope this helps
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City MO
good question, my insurance is through my work so I am ASSuming that they would not cancel my policy since its a work policy and I work for a pretty big company. I do not volutary tell them I am racing. I really do not do much, maybe 5-6 times a year. usually after 3 days I am back to my daily pain levels. not sure if you were asking me.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 5
From: Chino Hills CA
Jeffery, I just had spinal fusion in my lower back seven months ago from a car accident. I would take a progressive attitude and try autocrossing for awhile and see how your back responds to that. Autocrossing is very competitive and having a collision is very rare since you will never go faster than second gear in your Corvette.
I know a lot of racers who autocross and track events and they enjoy doing both. Autocrossing will make you a better road racer too!!!
I know a lot of racers who autocross and track events and they enjoy doing both. Autocrossing will make you a better road racer too!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
I can help with this. I broke my neck in 3 places and my back in two places in 2000. I have had 3 spinal surgeries, had 3 of my vertebrea replaced and have plates screwed into my neck and several fusions. I have been on Oxycodone for 8 years and still love to race. I have not done any road courses yet but I will. I was doing the 1/4 mile in my old TA. here are a couple of links to it.
http://www.rumblebee.org/album_page.php?pic_id=22296
http://www.rumblebee.org/album_page.php?pic_id=22295
a little over 500hp and 4.56 gears. After two runs I would feel it in my back and neck but like someone posted above. You do only live once and I am glad to be alive and still want to enjoy cars and racing. some times after racing I can barely walk for two or three days but I am always glad I had the fun at the track and will continue to race until I am crippled. (which is coming, spinal desease). I take 6-7 doses of pain killers a day and do everything I can to enjoy life.
Go for it, start out slow and see what you can take. It is less painful than the 100+ spinal epidurals I have gone through.
hope this helps
http://www.rumblebee.org/album_page.php?pic_id=22296
http://www.rumblebee.org/album_page.php?pic_id=22295
a little over 500hp and 4.56 gears. After two runs I would feel it in my back and neck but like someone posted above. You do only live once and I am glad to be alive and still want to enjoy cars and racing. some times after racing I can barely walk for two or three days but I am always glad I had the fun at the track and will continue to race until I am crippled. (which is coming, spinal desease). I take 6-7 doses of pain killers a day and do everything I can to enjoy life.
Go for it, start out slow and see what you can take. It is less painful than the 100+ spinal epidurals I have gone through.
hope this helps
Sorry for the delayed response. Right after starting this thread, my PC crashed and I've been trying to stabilize it ever since. Going to give this baby to the Geek Squad soon.
Your medical situation sounds much worse than mine. I don't need to take pain meds daily. I take them about 5-10% of the time. I hope your situation does not continue to get worse!
You're right. I have to decide how much pain I'm willing to suffer in order to enjoy racing. I'm going to take your advice and start out slow and see what I can handle.
Best regards,
Jeffrey
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Jeffery, I just had spinal fusion in my lower back seven months ago from a car accident. I would take a progressive attitude and try autocrossing for awhile and see how your back responds to that. Autocrossing is very competitive and having a collision is very rare since you will never go faster than second gear in your Corvette.
I know a lot of racers who autocross and track events and they enjoy doing both. Autocrossing will make you a better road racer too!!!
I know a lot of racers who autocross and track events and they enjoy doing both. Autocrossing will make you a better road racer too!!!
Great idea! I had not thought of autocross and it would be a nice way to start out slow and see what I can handle.
Thanks for the advice.
I hope your back continues to improve!
Best regards,
Jeffrey