Advice on going back racing

[xtremlee]

Hi all,
I have not been around for oh about 2 years. Anyways after two years with my St Jude I am still doing good. I am considering getting back into the seat of my race car. It is on a round dirt track at 3/8 mile. Speeds are only about 50 mph on the straight aways and 40 in the corners. It is safer than riding on the interstate. I would be in a full roll cage and the bars are padded with 1/2 inch foam. Would be wearing a Helmet and a fire suit. I would also have a 5 point seat harness and a neck restaint. There is no way a car could ever come in through my cage. Is this stupid or what? 2.5 INR

 

[Ross]

Protect your head obviously, but go forth and live life!

 

[xtremlee]

hi ross
that is what i was thinking also. I think it would be pretty safe. I wonder if anyone else here is racing cars on coumadin

 

[Ross]

Well they ride bikes, mountain climb, race on foot, cycle, water ski etc, so I really can't see a reason for not racing cars. Heck if you have an accident racing a car, your going to get hurt whether your on Coumadin or not. I'll move this to active lifestyles for more exposure and we'll see.

 

[MarkU]

Unfortunately, some sanctioning organizations, like the NHRA, won't grant competition licenses to Coumadin patients. The most frequently cited reason is uncontrolled bleeding from a closed head injury.
I tend to agree with Ross that Coumadin would probably be the least of your problems if you had a serious accident.
I do a lot of cycling and had a couple of pretty good crash last year. Banged my head on the pavement hard enough to crack my bike helmet. My doctor told me later that I probably should have gone to the ER for an MRI, but I somehow survived anyhow...
Good luck to you - hope you can get back on the track.
Mark

 

[briansmom]

I am hoping that my son can race in the Baja 1000 this year. (it is an off-road race). Our car offers the same protections that yours does. Is it insane to let him do this? I guess it depends on your point of view.

 

[Ross]

Unfortunately, some sanctioning organizations, like the NHRA, won't grant competition licenses to Coumadin patients. The most frequently cited reason is uncontrolled bleeding from a closed head injury.
I tend to agree with Ross that Coumadin would probably be the least of your problems if you had a serious accident.
I do a lot of cycling and had a couple of pretty good crash last year. Banged my head on the pavement hard enough to crack my bike helmet. My doctor told me later that I probably should have gone to the ER for an MRI, but I somehow survived anyhow...
Good luck to you - hope you can get back on the track.
Mark

Wow really? I wasn't aware that they did, but I guess it somewhat makes sense.

I know I've cracked my head a few times now and so far, no problems to speak of, but I have to say, each time I do it, the little voice in the back of my head is telling me to get it checked.

 

[llewis34]

We are a racing family. Though I am not involved, I know if it were my husband, he would not be able to resist the urge. Racing gets in your blood (no pun inteneded...really) and it never goes away. If he lost an arm and was told he couldn't work on race cars, he would figure out a way. And I would support him completely.

So go for it! It sounds like you have all of the preventative measures in place and you know the risk, too. It also sounds like the kind of racing you're doing isn't like circling Eldora Speedway at 100+ mph, or going 300 down a drag strip.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[xtremlee]

Nhra

Nhra

I can see why the NHRA or NASCAR would not let you race I mean you are going 200 and 300+ MPH. A crash at that speed could cause serious injury but I am going no where near those speeds. Your right it does get in your blood and is hard to get out. I work on the cars now but it is nothing like being in one and fighting it out. I could always go for a MRI if needed.

 

[mabell]

Live Every Day

Live Every Day

I am no kind of racer but since my MVR seven years ago have traveled widely and done a good deal of hiking. I am more active than most of my "healthy" contemporaries. I am with those who say live life to the fullest.