Racing diet

[Riff Raff]

I recently started taking a kettle and stuff to the racetrack, and each time I've been providing more goodies for the racers and crew in our pit garage. Muffins, hot chocolates, cappuccinos, muesli bars, fruit (usually bananas and mandarins), chippies etc. Now whilst providing all this has made me popular with some, it's probably not the best for optimum performance and concentration on the race track.

So what should I be providing? What foods will keep our racers alert and on top of their game?

[Joni]

Im not saying Im right, but I get lots of water to keep hydration (no other drinks), fruit and for lunch I do a bacon and egg pie. Keeps Kick and Divvo happy... not sure if its the best tho...

I also saw that rolls with ham, salad stuff, cheese etc was quite popular that another lady brought, and I thought that was quite a good idea, as everyone can make what they like and its healthy.

Lollies or anything with a high sugar content will cause sugar peaks and lows which is not great when you are moving over 200km an hour.

:spudwhat:

[Nasty]

We provide lunch for the volenteers and although not the same we give them warm good ... e.g. a warm cup of thick soup and a sausage ... I think something not too heavy so that they don't feel like sleeping in the pm is a good way .. like pie or something with grains.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I usually have a pork pie and fruit and cheese and bread and water etc in a cooler. also a thermos of coffee. Ithats IF I am awake enough or organised enough to sort it before I go). Otherwise its gas station pies and coke and chocolate and shit like that.

[Riff Raff]

I've thought about taking the crock pot down and doing chicken soup - great for the Winter series.

Just wondering how diet affects performance. I know by the end of the day I'm completely knackered (and I'm not even racing) and I wonder how much of that is caused by the junk food I've eaten.

Diet plays a big part in other sports so I guess it's no different for motorbike racing.

[ManDownUnder]

Wheres cola when you need him. He's da man on this stuff...

[Keystone19]

Actually Sue, I don't think you're too far off the mark with what you are providing. The aim would be to keep energy levels up consistently throughout the day while possibly wanting to provide some peak energy for racing. The options you are providing are all the types of foods we would tend to eat while competing in endurance racing - food that is nutritious but also tastes good. You may want to consider using supplements such as powergels or squeezies (try leppin for example www.leppin.co.nz) just prior to racing to give that extra boost - these need to be taken with plenty of water. I know some racers are starting to use these supplements with good results. Happy to talk to you more about the specifics anytime.

[Joni]

IMO diet/nutrition affects everything...

Protein high helps with endurance which is important.

Caffienne (sp?), coffee, tea what ever promotes de-hydration which affects brain and body activity.

Sugar as I say energy levels variances.

etc etc... I've read about this stuff lots... and try to help Kick that way.

PS. one thing though, it helps stuff all if you cook and prepare stuff and they dont like it, so that means they wont eat it. waste of time and energy.

[Paul in NZ]

I suggest you go for low GI foods. They take longer to digest and should not give the spikes that high fat/sugar foods do..

You may want to consider having a lot of smaller snacks rather than a 'meal' as such. I find myself a little sleepy after a big lunch... :zzzz: This does complicate the catering though.. Sports drinks can re hydrate quickly on hot days but I find them too sugary... Coffee just makes you want to pee a lot but a few cups won't kill ya.. (I hope)

[Riff Raff]

Been doing some Googling. According to Carl Fogarty:


Diet is an important part of becoming a world champion. When you are training for your competitions, you must stay off the booze and eat only pasta, chocolate and bananas.
At the height of his success, Fogerty would have two or three bananas and a cup of tea before his competition.

[Paul in NZ]

Sounds like basic carb loading... Lots of controversy over bananas - not from me - I love em! Make sure you go for green ones, over ripe ones = sugar...

[Joni]

Bananas are extremely high in potassium which is an endurance thing again... keeping the mind and body sharp from beginning to end is pretty important I reckon, no use if you start like a demon and finish like a fairy. So I undertsand what he means Riff Raff.

[Goblin]

I swear by tuna sandwiches. Not that I am a fast racer but I think the omega 3,6,9 is great brain food and has to be good for me. Also lots of water.:yes:

[Rashika]

I'm still working out what is good for me. I dont eat high carb stuff at all (at least I TRY my best not to) so it makes it difficult to figure out the right stuff.

Usually I go for small snacky stuff that I can eat and digest quickly:
cold cuts eg cold chook nibbles, or ham or hard boiled eggs or B&E pie or slices of cheese
SOUP would be great but I haven't really got a way of having it warm, could try a thermos I guess, but soup would be ideal
NUTS; almonds, macas and cashews, I dont like peanuts but they'd do as well
A protein bar or homemade protein balls (my secret recipe)
LOTS OF WATER!
...and usually one sugerfree V to sip during the day, but only the one cos I'm not a caffeine drinker normally, and often I dont finish it. Its good if you are starting to feel a bit jaded.

Trying to generally eat protein and stay away from the biscuits, but it is hard work at times cos you do use a lot of energy, and often feel completely knackered afterward. Actually the last racing I did I managed to stay low carb the whole day and surprisingly didn't feel as exhausted. I figure lots of small snacks all day is the best recipe

[Shaun]

I reccomend you make your rider train harder

Drink less coffee at the race track

Drink more water

and feed them on, what will make them take a dump, other wise, NO Dump, they wil die:done:

[Keystone19]

and feed them on, what will make them take a dump, other wise, NO Dump, they wil die:done:

That is deeply profound...

[Rashika]

I reccomend you make your rider train harder

Drink less coffee at the race track

Drink more water

and feed them on, what will make them take a dump, other wise, NO Dump, they wil die:done:


That is deeply profound...

errr yeah.
The ONLY problem with that theory is that the loos are a farking long way from the pits at Ruapuna Btrack, timing is everything
and you blokes have a wee bit of an advantage if you get caught short ;)

[Colapop]

I'm no expert!
The best you can do to improve performance at the track is fitness. Top flight athletes do the hard yards away from performance days. On the lead up to race days (in the 3 days beforehand) some athletes carbo load (eat double the amount of normal carbs) and that helps to give the sustained energy throughout the day.
As Joni said earlier though, Good food is simple long lasting carbs throughout the day with plenty of fluids. Electrolyte replacing drinks are good in high heat environment or where a lot of fluids are lost (such as pissing yourself laughing!!)
It'd be a good idea to have a chat to a good sports nutritionist to get an accurate idea - these guys and gals really know their stuff

[roadracingoldfart]

All the prior posts are full of sound advice but i would mention that no two races (people) are the same and metabolism is a very fickle thing. I have a very fast burn off of anything i eat (yes im a very skinny prick) and i would need alot more of an intense diet to a person with a slower metabolism for a sport diet. Im 6ft 2 in and only 10 stone (whatever that is in KGs ) My 400 goes well lol.
Bananas are great but so can eggs be and rice is always a goodie.
Lots of water is a must to stay focused but like all diet trainers and fitness trainers will say "everything in the food cupboard is ok in moderation" .

[Colapop]

Yep. :yes: And a nutritionist will help you measure what YOU need and what type of metabolism YOU have. Expert advice is usually best given by knowledgeable people (or at least those with more experience than me - see above)

[boomer]

I reccomend you make your rider train harder

Drink less coffee at the race track

Drink more water

and feed them on, what will make them take a dump, other wise, NO Dump, they wil die:done:

Nothing worse than a case of the killer dumps...


my race diet would include a slightly 2nd hand hangover followed by coffee, sugar, V * 6 , maybe a pie, more coffee, Benson & hedges if its a good day otherwise rollies, some flavoured water if i start to get a headache mid afternoon followed by beers...

recognising this won't make me faster or Jimmy for that matter.. tou may want to take shauns advise :shutup:

[slowpoke]

I reckon the low GI stuff is the way to go, giving you good sustained energy rather than peaks and troughs through out the day.
Now for the message no one wants to hear. Realistically speaking watching your diet between meetings is probably going to be of more benefit than what you eat on the day. I know many racers who would spend a fortune on lightweight bike parts to lose 5kg's off the machine when they are 10+kg's overweight themselves.

[jrandom]

I know many racers who would spend a fortune on lightweight bike parts to lose 5kg's off the machine when they are 10+kg's overweight themselves.

You should try hanging out with cyclists. They'll spend the same fortune to lose 500 grams when they're 10kg overweight.

Still, weight off a wheelset is an order of magnitude more important than rider weight.

Yes, I just keep telling myself that.

[ManDownUnder]

You should try hanging out with cyclists. They'll spend the same fortune to lose 500 grams when they're 10kg overweight.

Still, weight off a wheelset is an order of magnitude more important than rider weight.

Yes, I just keep telling myself that.

Good - I met a dude the other day... $13,000 worth of bicycle (by his own admission) and carrying an extra 25kgs (at least).. I have to admit "WTF" was one of the first thoughts I had... and it really didn't move for the whole 20 min conversation we had (about motorcycles... he didn't want to spend too much on one - I told him he could get a new SV for the price of his pushbike...!)

[codgyoleracer]

In the interst of bringing the riding levels closer together, Give the fast racers Hotdogs, Pies & Full sugar Coke, Give the slower racers Dry Crackers, Celery, & Water (+ a weight watchers book). :shifty:

[scrivy]

Im not saying Im right, but I get lots of water to keep hydration (no other drinks), fruit and for lunch I do a bacon and egg pie. Keeps Kick and Divvo happy... not sure if its the best tho...

I also saw that rolls with ham, salad stuff, cheese etc was quite popular that another lady brought, and I thought that was quite a good idea, as everyone can make what they like and its healthy.

Lollies or anything with a high sugar content will cause sugar peaks and lows which is not great when you are moving over 200km an hour.

:spudwhat:

Kick looks like he could eat more pies....:lol:
Give them as many lollies as they can eat - they don't go over 200 kms anyway, so it won't matter!! :devil2:

I on the other hand eat a 1 kg bag of party mix lollies before racing. Mr Bob eats whoever he can find in his van........ oops, WHATEVER he finds in his van........ :lol::2thumbsup

[Joni]

I on the other hand eat a 1 kg bag of party mix lollies before racing.I have memories of you lovely daughter running around, batting her eyelids at Divvo for her share of his lollies! Such a cutie :niceone:

As for your "nutritional" advice ahem... well yes! :rolleyes:

[scrivy]

When she's older, I'll make sure that she doesn't follow Divvo around, 'cause his 'Lollies' are all too easy to get if you're of the legal age.....:bleh::laugh::puke:

[sidecar bob]

Kick looks like he could eat more pies....:lol:
Give them as many lollies as they can eat - they don't go over 200 kms anyway, so it won't matter!! :devil2:

I on the other hand eat a 1 kg bag of party mix lollies before racing. Mr Bob eats whoever he can find in his van........ oops, WHATEVER he finds in his van........ :lol::2thumbsup
Thats why he rides the sidecar like some sugar-high four year old.
I rekon kick needs a king size helping of that stuff on your profile pic scrivy. :2thumbsup

[scrivy]

Thats why he rides the sidecar like some sugar-high four year old.
I rekon kick needs a king size helping of that stuff on your profile pic scrivy. :2thumbsup


Always on fire ya reckon??? :first:

Do you mean a can of Harden the f@ck up?? :yes:

Kick and Divvo could eat a whole case load of the stuff, but they still couldn't cut the mustard!!! They'd still be soft as cream puffs!! Divvo just needs to turn up the heat!! :cold: Poor Kick, I think he desperately dreams of riding the long thing. (And riding the chair also!)
I on the other hand have a short one and am proud of where I can stick it!!:first::yes::shutup:

[Deano]

I've thought about taking the crock pot down and doing chicken soup - great for the Winter series.


Mrs Deano takes chicken soup. Also bread rolls with meat and coleslaw. Sometimes left over pizza, orange juice, and lots of water.

I'm finding it works for me.

Also, refraining from having a few beers the night before and getting a good night's sleep is very important.

[sidecar bob]

Mrs Deano takes chicken soup. Also bread rolls with meat and coleslaw. Sometimes left over pizza, orange juice, and lots of water.

I'm finding it works for me.

Also, refraining from having a few beers the night before and getting a good night's sleep is very important.

What about a duvet a hotty & a crochet blankie?
Faark guys!! HTFU, its only racing & its supposed to be fun!!

[Deano]

What about a duvet a hotty & a crochet blankie?
Faark guys!! HTFU, its only racing & its supposed to be fun!!

We all have to eat - personally I find the food we take more appetising than hot dog and chips form the caravan at the track.

Some of us like to be feeling good and sustained throughout the day. Racing is fun, but also competitive (maybe you're not ?:() and keeping your energy and hydration levels up are crucial to good performance.

As far as hardening up goes - I have nothing to prove in that respect. I'm hard as fuck thank you.

[sisterecho]

As official caterer to Poos Team Racing I usually provide Cowpoos with fudge, hotchips and V. His results show how effective this diet is. :dodge:

[scrivy]

Racing is fun, but also competitive (maybe you're not ?:() and keeping your energy and hydration levels up are crucial to good performance.


Shit Bob - I think Deano knows you too well!! You need lots of hydration for all the sack time you get to keep up your performance eh?!!! A good mate Ken helps you out I'm thinking.........

As for the competitive bit..... well, you ain't holding the number 1 cup for nothing....... :yes::first:

[avgas]

Choc chip bikkies.
I kid you not
If i have just had a hard out ride, i pull into a servo and have a triple choc cookie time cookie.
Nothing else can get me focused again.

[roadracingoldfart]

We all have to eat - personally I find the food we take more appetising than hot dog and chips form the caravan at the track.

Some of us like to be feeling good and sustained throughout the day. Racing is fun, but also competitive (maybe you're not ?:() and keeping your energy and hydration levels up are crucial to good performance.

As far as hardening up goes - I have nothing to prove in that respect. I'm hard as fuck thank you.


I have to agree with Deano, hes as hard as fuck to pass the bastard is too quick and all i can read from that is ......pizza and stuff wieghs less than the sammies i eat and there in lies his advantage .