GHIT 0090: Improving Driver Comfort for Safety and Speed

A bit late on this episode, but we cover a ton of the various factors that can improve driver comfort.  This will help with speed, lessen fatigue, and improve safety.  We hope you enjoy this episode.  Topics include:

Pre-race preparation

• Seat position and size halo/containment seats
• Seat angle and seat size
• Seat Height and helmet height
• Seat range and angle of sliders
• • Additional padding, Foam pads/risers and Expanding foam 
• Air ducts, and helmet inlets
• Exhaust flow and no leaks
• • Sound and noise reduction and ear plugs, if needed
  • Signs and labels within the car
• Radios and Pit-to-car communication
• Dead pedal
• Surgical tubing for Harness release
• • Verify harness is fitting for biggest and smallest drivers
  • Verify everyone knows how to assist with tightening harnesses for drivers
  • • Several styles of harness

• • Hook/Latch Link vs Cam Lock
  • Pull down vs Pull up vs Ratcheting
• Steering wheel position, tilt, and removeable
• Mirror choices, rear view and side mirrors
• Ability to reach all controls, switches, pedals, etc. easily
• Racing Suit sizing

Pre-Stint

• Water/fluids, and Minerals especially potassium and magnesium
• Ginger pills and/or Dramamine for motion sickness and queasiness
• Rest/Sleep
• Food
• Camelback or Water bottle
• Silk Glove liners if cold
• Cool shirt and coolers if warm

Stints

• Driver Order and its potential effect on harness and seat changing time
• Windshield clean and methods to keep fog free
• Helmet shield cleaned and not foggy
• Eyeglasses
• • Stints:  Start short, we used 30 min at our first race and work up per driver.  Some teams and drivers can go as long as 4+ hours
• Drink as needed, stay ahead, once behind it is too late
• • Critical if doing more than one stint per race weekend 
• When you think you are losing concentration, you already have been and its been too long

Hopefully, this will help you, your team, and your car preparation.

Best regards,

Bill, Vicki, and Alan

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training podcast

and team members in the GHiT

Immature Endurance Racing Team