MetaFilter posts tagged with racing

To the edge of human endurance, and beyond

filthy light thief — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:52:09 -0800

Jure Robič raced on bicycles in his hometown in Slovenia, skilled enough to race with small Slovene teams but nothing professionally, supporting himself with a sales job for a bike-parts dealer. It was with the death of his mother in 1997 and his subsequent depression that Robič discovered his calling: ultra-endurance cycle races, in which he competes with a methodical madness. (1 page print version, via). About ten years ago, a friend of his suggested he train for the Crocodile Trophy in 1999. Robič finished third, with 2 stage wins. In October of 2001, Robič completed a 24 hour time trial and covered 803.5 km (499.3 miles), and also qualification for Race Across America (RAAM). A year later, he quit his job and volunteered to join the Slovene military, undergoing nine months of intensive combat training (he surprised his unit with his penchant for late-night training runs). He earned a coveted spot in the sports division, which exists solely to support the nation's top athletes. For Robič, the post meant a salary of 700 euros (about $850) a month and the freedom to train full time. Robič continued with cycle racing, and his results continued to climb, placing second in the Crocodile Trophy in 2001 and 2002, 3rd place in Race Across the Alps in 2002, covering 550km and a 13500 meter ascent in 23:39.33 (the winner, Paul Lindner, made it in 22:47.25). In 2003, he dominated the men's solo category of the Silberreiher-Trophy 24 hour race, covering 911 km in 23h 41 min. He set the official European record at 2004 Kraftwerk Trophy - Krems Austria 24h road race, getting 1st place for covering 974,4km in 24 hours. 2003 was the year Jure Robič placed 2nd in the Race Across America, traveling from the 2921.7 miles from San Diego, CA to Atlantic City, NJ in around 9 days, losing to Allen Larsen's time of 8 days 23 h 36 min. Robič went on to get first in RAAM in 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2008. In 2005, he also got first place in Le Tour Direct, which is also known as Tour de France in one stage and that name tells it all. Instead of tackling the route in sections, it's covered in one continuous go, all 4,022 km (2,500 miles) and 47,000 m (~140,000 feet) of climbing at once, first one there wins, whatever it takes. For Robič, that's a craziness of the most literal sort, and it's re-shaping the understanding of human limits. As told in the New York Times article linked above the break:

The craziness is methodical, however, and Robic and his crew know its pattern by heart. Around Day 2 of a typical weeklong race, his speech goes staccato. By Day 3, he is belligerent and sometimes paranoid. His short-term memory vanishes, and he weeps uncontrollably. The last days are marked by hallucinations: bears, wolves and aliens prowl the roadside; asphalt cracks rearrange themselves into coded messages. Occasionally, Robic leaps from his bike to square off with shadowy figures that turn out to be mailboxes. In a 2004 race, he turned to see himself pursued by a howling band of black-bearded men on horseback. ‘‘Mujahedeen, shooting at me,’’ he explains. ‘‘So I ride faster.’’ ... He is not always the fastest competitor (he often makes up ground by sleeping 90 minutes or less a day), nor does he possess any towering physiological gift. On rare occasions when he permits himself to be tested in a laboratory, his ability to produce power and transport oxygen ranks on a par with those of many other ultra-endurance athletes. He wins for the most fundamental of reasons: he refuses to stop.

Research into fatigue and exhaustion initially assumed that it was the muscles themselves that reached their limit, but more recent studies have shown mental fatigue can affect physical endurance, though the definition and sources for muscle fatigue are complex, making studies of fatigue complex to say the least.

The high cost of riding around in brightly-colored underwear

ardgedee — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:25:36 -0800

Why is (Radio) Shack -- a company that only markets to North Americans -- spending $20 million sponsoring Lance Armstrong and his team as he spends a year racing bicycles mostly in Europe? "Somewhere, someone has a Venn diagram showing the crossover between electronics geeks and cyclists. I’m sure those two sets have a lot of crossover." There are only twenty available slots for UCI ProTour teams, the creme de la creme of bike racing -- eighteen were filled in the 2009, leaving two openings and only room for more if an existing team decides against renewing, is disqualified or disbands. (Radio) Shack's signing Armstrong is certain to ensure that publicity reaches beyond the fairly narrow market of American pro cycling enthusiasts, but whether that connotes positive publicity for the sponsor, or remains focused around Armstrong, is yet to be seen -- certainly the oligarchs of Kazakhistan didn't find their profiles improved among the American public while they supported Armstrong's previous team, Team Astana. Also interesting to note are the debuts of Team Sky (as in the Murdoch-owned Sky Satellite TV) and Skil-Shimano (as in chain saws and fishing reels), which put in a surprisingly high profile performance as a wildcard team in this year's Tour de France.

Eve-Anke Goldmann

Fiasco da Gama — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:06:21 -0800

Anke-Eve Goldman rode BMW and MV Augusta motorcycles... fast.

Battletech and Red Planet: classic immersive gaming

Imhotep is Invisible — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:26:32 -0800

In 1990, the first BattleTech center opened in Chicago in the US. The centers were based around networked play of the BattleTech (related to the Battletech RPG) and Red Planet combat and racing games via immerse pods. BattleTech enthusiasts have gone so far as to purchase new and decommissioned pods to set up their own centers. Occasionally, pods go on tour.

Watch Laleh Seddigh's dust

Brandon Blatcher — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:28:20 -0800

"I like competition in everything ... I have to move whatever is movable in the world." Say hello to Laleh Seddigh, Iran's top rated female race car driver. Initially taught to drive by her father, Seddigh discovered she liked it and wanted to go further with it. Teaching herself via unauthorized excursions on the streets of Tehran, she learned fast and at the age 23 of began racing, eventually winning the right to compete against men (and beat them), despite the various roadblocks. Currently she's suspended from racing due to alleged car switching, though she's vowing to fight it. Learned about her Via Andrew Sullivan.

A lotta guys try to catch her but she leads them on a wild goose chase now

caddis — Sat, 02 May 2009 21:34:26 -0800

Start your engines. Megan Culbert, age 8, was in her first year of racing.... her best time so far was an 11.30 in the 1/8 mile. Vroom.

CycleKarting: Extreme Vintage Go-Karting

Tom-B — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 06:43:59 -0800

You can't buy a CycleKart and, even if you could, the racers wouldn't let you participate. You have to build your CycleKart. It's one of the many reasons this is a very cool hobby.

Race driver Lloyd Ruby dies at 81

quartzcity — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:12:28 -0800

The best driver never to win the Indy 500. Despite winning in midgets, stock cars, and both the Sebring and Daytona road races, he will always be best known for the one race he didn't win - despite running in it for eighteen consecutive years. Though he would like to be remembered "just as old me. I enjoyed racing," if you ask a Gurney, Andretti or Foyt and they'll tell you he's "a soft-spoken Texas lead foot with enormous natural talent." Race driving legend Lloyd Ruby passes away at age 81 in his hometown of Wichita Falls, Texas.

2008 Vendée Globe

findango — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:36:51 -0800

The 2008-2009 Vendée Globe starts tomorrow from Les Sables d'Olonne, France. Held every four years, this single-handed, non-stop, round the world sailing race is so competitive that the 2004-2005 edition saw the top 3 finishers separated by less than 29 hours after 87 days of racing! The first round-the-world race, the Sunday Times Golden Globe, held in 1968-1969, was won by Robin Knox-Johnston (the only competitor to finish) and inspired its share of philosophy and tragedy, with Bernard Moitessier abandoning while leading, and Donald Crowhurst committing suicide while trying to fake his voyage. (Previously) Although modern technology has made the race (somewhat) safer, going to sea, and especially entering the Southern Ocean, is an inherently dangerous undertaking, inspiring some, and requiring rescue for others. Armchair skippers can experience some of the fun -- without the relentless cold, wet, and freeze-dried food -- in the Virtual Vendée Globe.

Climb Dance.

loquacious — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:56:44 -0800

Climb Dance A short (and fast) film about a Pikes Peak International Hill Climb run from 1989. (Warning: Contains a small amount of jazzy piano sandwiched around about five minutes of very loud high RPM engine revving.)

Hill races on.

1f2frfbf — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:43:38 -0800

Phil Hill, the only American ever to be winner of the Formula One Championship, a mulitple time winner of the 24 Hours of LeMans races in 1958, 1961 and 1962, and automotive journalist, has died at age 81.

Oops! The magnet was an accident.

Eekacat — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:22:04 -0800

NASCAR as little as they like it, has it's roots in Moonshine. Junior Johnson, one of the early heroes who is considered the greatest to never win a championship, has even gone legal with it after getting his start running Moonshine for his father. He was even the subject of a 1965 Tom Wolfe Essay as the Last American Hero. The latest cheating scandal to hit NASCAR? Junior just says they were doing their job, being creative, and just got caught.

Raise one for the red lantern

ardgedee — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:32:09 -0800

As the Tour de France concludes, let's spend a moment commemorating the derrière garde of world-class cycling, those bad enough to come in last but never bad enough to fail, les Lanternes Rouge. If Wim Vansevenant can retain his tenacious hold on 145th place in Sunday's stage he will be the worst cyclist to complete the Tour de France for three consecutive years and set a Tour record. You can, indeed, win by losing. Vansevenant is currently 3 hours, 54 minutes and 51 seconds behind the leader but only 53 seconds behind the 144th placed rider, Bernhard Eisel. While Carlos Sastre and Cadel Evans fight tooth-and-nail for the yellow jersey on the final promenade through the Champs-Élysées fans will be eagerly rooting for Evan's teammate Vansevenant to strike a third blow for the good enough. Those fascinated by the slow end of the train can get their daily fill of news at the Tour de France Lanterne Rouge blog whose author gently reminds those who would mock anybody for finishing last in a 21 day long bike ride of 3,559 kilometers (2,211 mi): "You couldn't hang on his wheel for thirty seconds."

High Performance Kart Racing

unpoppy — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:44:39 -0800

High performance kart racing is frequently misunderstood to be bumper-car-like "fun park" or "trailer park" karting in the US. Speeds in excess of 200mph are possible on karts at full road course tracks. Anyone interested in racing data analysis can get a crash course through karting as well. Karting is huge in Europe, especially Italy, where most chassis are engineered. Most Formula 1 and NASCAR drivers begin here at a young age.

Real men drive these

dg — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:43:43 -0800

Once upon a time in the postwar, before the advent of EPA and OSHA and the Consumer Products Safety Commission and weenies in bike helmets and multilingual warning stickers on stepladders, crazy people walked this earth. Good, fun-loving Americans who knew that "instructions" were something you threw in the trash along with the empty Falstaff bottles. A halcyon era filled with manly men who savored the wholesome virtues of a rugged game of un-seatbelted automotive chicken. One of these men was Gene Middlebrooks, who founded Turbonique. Want a real bolt-on performance boost for your Chev? How about spending the weekend whacking a 1,000 horsepower "turbo drag axle" under the family sedan? Of course, this won't work on your modern namby-pamby front-wheel drive pretend cars - real cars only apply here. Not enough room in the garage for one of these? How about a rocket-powered go-kart? Will 5.95 seconds and 240mph in a standing quarter-mile get your heart pumping? Anything that has wheels, skids or a hull, it seems can be fitted. What are you waiting for?

I, for one, welcome our female driver overlords.

patr1ck — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:14:58 -0800

Danica Patrick has become the first woman ever to win an Indy Racing League event at the Twin Rings Motegi in Motegi, Japan. Tear-jerking youtube video.

Platform racing.

Citizen Premier — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:49:40 -0800

Platform racing.

Open wheel racing: IRL and CART unification

jaimev — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:48:41 -0800

Over the past decade, as NASCAR's popularity has grown, and Formula 1 has expanded into new international markets, open wheel racing in the US has floundered along with 2 rival series: IRL and CART. With little sponsorship money, the loss of big-name drivers to retirement, F1 and NASCAR, this year's unification of IRL and CART was a long time coming, and may lead to a series that race fans may start caring about again.

Just Like Rudy if He Had Been a Bike Wheel

turbodog — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:21:16 -0800

I Finally own a Zipp Wheel… A little story of how a bike racing fan came to own a fancy, schmancy carbon race wheel during the recently concluded Tour of California. A photo of Hank's work-a-day wheel going pro. The rider was veteran America pro Bobby Julich of Team CSC during stage 3 of the ToC. He managed to come in 32nd just ahead of Astana rider Vladimir Gusev, the other guy in the photos.

LOLHORRIBLEDEVELOPERS WHOHAPPENTOBEXTIANS WHOENDUPSCREWINGUPBOTH

tittergrrl — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:24:07 -0800

What if the Devil tricked a well-meaning computer developer into making a horrendous animal racing game? (cringeworthy YouTube link) Now we know! Yes, Cougar Interactive has a product for you. Zoo Race! The biblical flood is over, and with hardly any people around, what's Noah, God, and the animals gonna do? Why, RACE of course! The game features compelling voice work, top flight graphics, and of course... animals straddling on rockets. And to top it all off, God is the announcer! It was the best 2007 had to offer, and it's still available... so, like their web site says.. Buy the FUN game that the big game companies would not ever make. (as found at Kotaku) Please understand, this has nothing to do with Christianity or anything. More the UNHOLY combination that was the result. Oh, did you know it was a sequel?

Does your car lose most of it's value when you remove your laptop?

toxic — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:06:26 -0800

If yours is a winter beater, a rally beater, a diesel beater, your kid's beater[YT], or even a much sought after french beater, you don't need to be convinced of the value of disposable transportation (with color by Krylon). But if you need help choosing the next winning entry, worthy challenger, or judges victim[YT] for the 24 hours of LeMons, let the masters at Beater Review help.

Stroke, stroke, stroke!

hadjiboy — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:47:45 -0800

Snake boat racing in god’s own country.

Elegant Chaos

Viomeda — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:55:03 -0800

This next Monday, watch for the first race of Il Palio Di Siena. For several weeks before the race the streets are filled with parading, feasting, practice races in the afternoons and lots of hyped up Italians. Each neighborhood of the city trains a horse to represent it and is much rivalry that stems back to medieval times. A riderless horse can win, unless the feather on top of the bridle is knocked off, there are no rules once the race begins, may the Madonna let the best horse win.

Earl Ma 1971-2007: RIP The Flyin' Hawaiian

Scram — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:43:02 -0800

Automotive journalist, cartoonist and architect Earl Ma passed away this week after a three year battle with cancer. But you would never have known it from how he lived his life. Last month, he refused to let his partial paralysis keep him away from the Indianapolis 500 (though fellow Hawaiian Jim Nabors was too ill to attend), and with the help of friends covered the race from his wheelchair. His boundless energy, generosity and wide range of talents earned him many friends and admirers, and he is already greatly missed.

"Addicted to speed, I mean"

ardgedee — Sun, 27 May 2007 05:47:13 -0800

Bjarne Riis, current coach of premier cycling squad Team CSC, used drugs to win the Tour in 1996. His protege, Ivan Basso, was suspended from Team CSC before last year's Tour for suspicion of doping. Team Discovery hired Basso to fill Lance Armstrong's seat as captain, but Basso quit shortly before he had a chance to win his second consecutive Giro d'Italia, and is out for the season, if not permanently. The conclusion of Floyd Landis's appeals to reinstate his 2006 Tour victory will wait until some time after this year's Tour de France. Jan Ullrich capped a good but unsatisfying career by retiring early and under a cloud. Several of Ullrich's former Deutch Telekom/T-Mobile teammates, including Erik Zabel, admitted to doping, and the team masseur claims to have personally administered EPO to Ullrich. Ullrich, Basso, numerous other leading riders, and the majority of some team rosters continue to be under suspicion as the Operación Puerto EPO lab investigation grinds onward. It might be the best time ever to market a competition road bike called the Addict. (previously, previously, oh-so-very previously, )