Are race car drivers athletes ?


roketman

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Oct 24, 2005
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ma.
Well you decide! I am always amazed when people ask me how difficult can be driving around a race track.They need to go for a ride!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMqVmilOwU4&sns=em
 

Xcentric

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Well, you're certainly a superstar. But please keep your shirt on.
 

BlackICE

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Nov 2, 2005
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SF Bay Area in California
When I'm on the track my pulse is that high too, because I scaring the crap out of myself. :lol
 

Vince H

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This shouldn't even be up for discussion. Of course they are.

Vince H
 

Cobrar

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Not so sure.

Ever see the face of someone running a marathon?

Ever see Bondurant's ear-to-ear grin while he is driving a car sideways?
 

RALPHIE

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Mar 1, 2007
7,278
I certainly remember the workouts and training that the drivers went through in the '60s, in order to compete in endurance and F1 racing. I'm sure it's just as intense today.

Yes, they are!
 

twobjshelbys

GT Owner
Jul 26, 2010
6,053
Las Vegas, NV
It's a simple answer to a simple question:

YES

Take an advanced driving class when you are on the track for about 7-8 hours and tell me that the beating you take isn't hard.
 

the Wizard

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Jul 16, 2012
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Los Angeles
Many of us have played football, but how many footballers have driven a race car? Certainly not Donovan McNabb, so how would he know?
 

ChipBeck

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Is a drummer a musician???
 

GTdrummer

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Is a drummer a musician???

That's it-- now it is getting personal. :)

On the subject at hand, I have represented NASCAR drivers for many years. For anyone who thinks they are not jocks, try racing Bristol in 90 degree heat. In fact for anyone who is not in driving shape just 5 laps there might have you in a neck brace.
 

Tomcat

GT Owner
Pulling Gs beats the hell out of you!
 

Wwabbit

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Mar 21, 2012
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Knoxville, TN
yep. athlete. McNabb is an idiot.
 

Xcentric

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There is a winter Olympics event called "curling." Are the curlers athletes?
 

BlackICE

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Nov 2, 2005
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SF Bay Area in California
There is a winter Olympics event called "curling." Are the curlers athletes?
More so than billards and maybe the equal of bowling.
 

junior

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Mar 9, 2007
1,151
So Cal
 

Fast Freddy

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motocross is the most physical. i would lose 5 pounds in one morning despite drinking 100 ounces of gatorade and water
 

mmlcobra

GT Owner
May 25, 2013
1,215
I'm sure that every single medical type person would say that an unconditioned person with a heart rate of 180+ for an extended period of time is at considerable risk for a myocardial infarction.
Athletes?
Absolutely!
Mark
 

maxemus

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Apr 25, 2007
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Miami, Florida
I'm sure that every single medical type person would say that an unconditioned person with a heart rate of 180+ for an extended period of time is at considerable risk for a myocardial infarction.
Athletes?
Absolutely!
Mark

Agreed.
 

roketman

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ma.
 

BtwoG

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Dec 8, 2013
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Atlanta, GA
I put on a heart rate monitor for a session in my TAG kart. Resting heart rate is 50-55 BPM, on the grid it was 130BPM, on the road course it was 178-181BPM. I'd say that most of the drivers that I've raced cars with who have passed away on the track have been due to heart attacks and not driving incidents. Easy to see why.