Motorsport And Motion Sickness

[PN-Mad]

Hi guys,

I want to ask your experiences about Motorsport and motion sickness.

I find that after a few track day sessions I find myself feeling nauseous, sick in the stomach, bit of a head ache and defiantly not feeling like I'm giving 100%. Now driving on the road I've only done it to myself once, driving around, up and down hills in tassie. But on the track I've experienced it several times. This is while driving, not passenger btw..

I've read lots on the interwebz about this, and it seems to be at least semi common. People have suggested things like eating real healthy 24hrs beforehand, ginger, medications, wrist bands etc.

I want to enjoy and make the most of my track days, so I want to know, do you suffer it, and what you have done to prevent or minimise the symptoms?

[Duncan]

it doesn't really help you, but I get way motion sick when passengering, and can't read for even a minute while travelling without getting sick. BUT, fortunately, it never happens when I have the steering wheel, NFI why.

Some people can travel, head in the pace notes at race speed, navigating, some can drive but not nav, I guess it is just luck.

BTW is it possible the car is just under damped and bouncing on the springs?

[PN-Mad]

Hahaha, yeah, dunno how rally navs do it!

The car is ok, it's defiantly not a suspension issue. I feel it most when braking hard into a corner. Feels like my insides are being re-arranged.

I'm going to ask the instructors if there is anything I can do when I do the next day.

[djr81]

it doesn't really help you, but I get way motion sick when passengering, and can't read for even a minute while travelling without getting sick. BUT, fortunately, it never happens when I have the steering wheel, NFI why.Some people can travel, head in the pace notes at race speed, navigating, some can drive but not nav, I guess it is just luck.BTW is it possible the car is just under damped and bouncing on the springs?

I get the same. Navigating makes we want to puke, driving is fine. Something to do with seeing what youre body is feeling in terms of gees. When your head down reading notes you cannot see the horizon, obviously.

Personally I can get sea sick in the bath tub.

Only advice I can offer is eat a proper breakfast, stay hydrated and have a bag of lollies handy.

[Victory]

In the navigators seat I can send a text message on my phone but that is about all I can do without the need to see the horizon and where I am going to feel well.

It may have something to do with how well you are secured in the car. I always feel much better when I am in a race seat where I cannot move and have a 6 point harness on. You then feel like you are driving a go kart where you feel everything that the car is doing without being thrown around in the car.

[Dale FZ1]

Making sure that the car's cabin is well sealed against exhaust fumes and fuel vapours is really important, also decent ventilation into the cabin works wonders.

Fuel lines running through the cab can be a source of fumes simply because of incorrect spec. Teflon lined is the only reliable way of ensuring no degradation over time. Either in the pits or between stages, step away from the car and any fuel containers to avoid fumes.

I've only ever felt or been sick in 4wd cars. An Evo with antilag on gravel can stop, turn, and accelerate faster than any 2wd car I've experienced on tarmac. But I haven't been in a 4wd on tarmac yet.

Not being dehydrated or hung over is a great start, as is not eating great big difficult to digest breakfast. Fatigue is always an issue due to leadup preparations, but rest and a clear mind helps with focus on the job at hand rather than thinking about being sick.

The only other thing you could try is Kwell or equivalent sea-sickness tablets. Natural stuff like Ginger helps some people.

[PN-Mad]

In the navigators seat I can send a text message on my phone but that is about all I can do without the need to see the horizon and where I am going to feel well.

It may have something to do with how well you are secured in the car. I always feel much better when I am in a race seat where I cannot move and have a 6 point harness on. You then feel like you are driving a go kart where you feel everything that the car is doing without being thrown around in the car.

I have a fixed back Velo, and 4pt harness. I can't move anywhere.

Thanks for the suggestions, Dale.

Will try to implement some of them.

[warps]

Kwell is the rally nav's best friend. Some try copper bracelets / pressure bracelets and other pseudo sciences but I think they are more of a placebo than anything else, even though some claim them to work well.

Ensure you stay cool, aren't sucking in exhaust or other fumes, and as others have said, eat healthy, stay hydrated etc. I know that all the hard core blokey blokes will razz me for this, but if you have A/C, turn it on while you're racing. It doesn't sap power that much and makes a much better racing environment. My PB at Morgan Pk was one session I forgot to turn the A/C off, so it can't slow you down that much.

I always find I end up with a headache after a day of racing / rallying, so always take two pre-emptive panadol, and in longer events maybe another 2 midway through the day. This helps fend off the headaches (at least until the morning after the post-rally beer fest!!).

There have been professional race drivers (including F1) who suffer motion sickness when they drive. not common, but not unheard of.

Edit: I always feel queasy on race day, but for me it's nerves. Again, even some pro athletes throw up before every event (my father-in-law was like this playing Pro rugby League many years ago). My nerves usually take half a day to settle, but the mornings are usually lots of fun for me (toilet trips every half hour)

Edited April 16, 2014 by warps

[gtr jet]

The only time I get nauseous is if I eat too much before I get back in the car but at the end of the day I always have a headache.

I generally eat fairly healthily and keep hydrated but I guess the stresses of being on the track are too much. Never tried panadol though.

[PN-Mad]

Well, the AC was ditched a long time ago, so don't have to worry about that!

For me it's half way through the day, say 3 or 4 sessions in that it becomes an issue and I feel my performance dropping off. For anyone who has suffered seasickness, they know how debilitating it can be.

I can only imagine formula racing where the Gees are 4x what I'm experiencing, how that must feel.

Might go have a chat to a friendly pharmacist.

[JimmyRickard]

My brother used to race in Commodore Cup with a guy who would regularly barf halfway through a race in his helmet. So no it's not uncommon.

If your near Caringbah at all, Cincotta Chemist has some really excellent sea sickness (same thing I guess!) tablets. My mum went on a cruise and gets sick just looking at the boats, but she took the tablets and was fine. Might be helpful

[djr81]

Is it fine in the sense that it doesnt mess with your coordination?

[mastadd]

Has been a constant issue for me, only relief i have found is using these.

http://www.baronepharmacy.com.au/images/kwells_tablets_10.jpg

and exceeding the recommended dosage

[PN-Mad]

Cheers guys, a bit concerned about the side effects, but I guess I'll just load up and see if it does effect me before trying on a game day.

[evil_weevil]

I only tend to get it after long races and when its 30 + degrees.

I just try and ensure I drink plenty fluids (minimise the grog intake night before!!!) throughout the day - mainly water and powerade.

if I have forgotten to take my blood pres. meds that day it also screws with me.

[PN-Mad]

I went and talked to the pharmacy, and walked away with some travelcalm. It has the same active ingredient as Kwells, but with some caffine as well to combat the drowsiness. I haven't found myself to be drowsy before on it, but suppose it's a good precaution. I'll try it out next track day and report back

[75coupe]

What sort of helmet do you use? A full face or open, maybe your vision is being played with as far as focus... But your also saying your body is feeling it bad, just a thought

[PN-Mad]

I have a Bell RS1, full face, but I don't use a visor.

I'll have some of these pills, and report back how many sessions I make next time on the track, and if any side effects.

[essay]

Alex, I have suffered the same, but gradually have improved and occasionally survived for a full day. I think you build up a tolerance, or maybe it's all in the head. I have tried ginger tablets, no good. I found a homeopathic spray under the tongue was the most effective, I don't know why, but good luck with your projects.

[owen1r]

Kwells are good, however will make you feel a bit dopey. Try maybe taking only a half a dose.. I've used them regularly for sea sickness, apparently it helps to take 1 pill the night before however I cannot comment if this is true.

Eating well and not being fatigued will help a great deal, drink some ginger beer throughout the day.

Edited April 29, 2014 by owen1r