Listening to music.

Hamish Weir · 14 Jul 2003, 23:16 (Ref:661258)

This may be a stupid Idea but what the hell. If you guys know what the rules and regs say about you listening to music when racing via a mini disk put inside of your race suit please tell me. I find I can concentrate more and settle down into a rythm if I listen to some dance music with a constant beat to it. I know you guys are probably saying this guy is an IDIOT right now but is it allowed?

DAVID PATERSON · 15 Jul 2003, 02:51 (Ref:661345)

I don't know if it's against the rules or not, but i can't possibly imagine how dance music could possibly help you concentrate, it's a distraction.

GTV27 · 15 Jul 2003, 03:10 (Ref:661354)

I once accidently did a super sprint with the radio going (I was listening to it in the pit whilst waiting to go out) and was concentrating so much that I didn't even realise it was on. When I came into the pits after finishing my laps, an official asked if I always listened to music while racing, to which I said, "huh, what music".

Having said that, if you need to improve your concentration, try working on visualisation before you go out (heaps of sports psycology books on this) and then focus your attention as far ahead of the car as you can (ie always think about the next and following corner). If you do it right, a nuclear blast won't even disturb you, let alone a little dance music!

(and no, it wouldn't be against any regulations)

simon drabble · 15 Jul 2003, 07:14 (Ref:661442)

let me know which series you race in - so I can beware of you!! I am sure its fine in a solitary discipline like sprinting or hillclimbing but I think that on a track with other cars its probably best not to!

**GTRMagic** · 15 Jul 2003, 07:20 (Ref:661446)

One of the 12 hour production car races around Bathurst saw the factory BMW M5 with its CD stacker filled with all sorts of music... they joked with the drivers about using it but I kinda got the feeling they did at various points

Richy_Rich · 15 Jul 2003, 07:53 (Ref:661468)

May I suggest 'Jesus Built My Hotrod' by Ministry, Motorheads 'Ace of Spades' or I suppose 'Cars' by Gary Numan depending on your mood.

zefarelly · 15 Jul 2003, 10:33 (Ref:661576)

I think it was Walter Hayes or one of the old Ford guys who used to order his Zephyr with a heater and a radio so he could listen . . .I know the late 50's wasnt quite so competitive in some ways but Ford did ok!

shiny side up! · 15 Jul 2003, 12:12 (Ref:661688)

I wouldn't think that having anything in your race suit is the best of ideas... funny things can happen with vibration/perspiration/crashes/etc, you just never know... if you must listen to music, please find a safe way to mount your MD on the car, not on you!!!

**Peter Mallett** · 15 Jul 2003, 12:35 (Ref:661725)

Jack Sears used to complain that he couldn't hear the radio in his Galaxy coming down the Brands Straight (before it was the Brabham straight).

***Chris Y*** · 15 Jul 2003, 13:23 (Ref:661801)

I don't think there's any specific regs about it, but I imagine if you told anyone (particularly scrutineers, race admins) about it, you'd get an earful. They'd probably argue that it was distracting, and you wouldn't be able to hear other competitors, official signals, marshals, etc., etc.

Personally, I wouldn't.. In order to hear it above the noise of most car engines, you might to turn it up full - then you risk ear damage. Also you wouldn't be able to hear the engine note, which I couldn't stand..

Richy_Rich · 15 Jul 2003, 19:30 (Ref:662172)

Is there an FIA approved way to mount one of those 'bass boxes' in the boot so the crowd can hear as well

Hamish Weir · 15 Jul 2003, 19:43 (Ref:662187)

If the distraction thing is a problem how come the guys in the top series like F3, F3000,F1 and other series use Radios. Having to talk back must break your concentration. Some guys in the IRL Listen to Music on Mp3. Dont seem to distract them now dose it?
Anyhow thanks for the feedback guys.

gfm · 15 Jul 2003, 21:05 (Ref:662281)

... are you f...... mad?

Hamish Weir · 16 Jul 2003, 10:16 (Ref:662645)

Nah mate I aint FU**ING mad if I was id have done it without looking into it. All im looking for is what the rules say. OK?

simon drabble · 16 Jul 2003, 10:27 (Ref:662652)

I suggest
"driving in my car" by Madness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

zefarelly · 16 Jul 2003, 12:22 (Ref:662734)

and not 'crash' by the primitives

others to consider might be

Im in love with my car - Queen
rush hour soul - supergrass
watching the wheels - John Lennon
anything by 'the cars'

and . . . . . for on the grid . .the chain, fleetwood Mac

**Peter Mallett** · 16 Jul 2003, 13:00 (Ref:662775)

Crosstown Traffic - Hendrix.
Pull Up To The Bumper - That crazy woman who's name I've just forgot!

shiny side up! · 16 Jul 2003, 13:09 (Ref:662788)

Highway Star - Deep Purple
The Big Three Killed My Baby - The White Stripes

zefarelly · 16 Jul 2003, 13:18 (Ref:662803)

grace 'loon alert' Jones , Peter

For a certain Mr Marshall it'd have to be the best of Gerry and the pacemakers

and the rolling stones for Mr Moss

I'll get my coat!

simon drabble · 16 Jul 2003, 14:05 (Ref:662846)

Sir Stirling to the like of you and I!
What about "Cruising in my Lincoln" by Eddie and the Hot Rods
and especially for Zefarelly anything by the Cortina's!

zefarelly · 16 Jul 2003, 14:55 (Ref:662899)

she only loves me cos I got a Cortina by the Lambrettas as well Simon

my fave song !

sorry Sir Stirling

danieljboys · 16 Jul 2003, 15:36 (Ref:662937)

I don't think this is as bad an idea as some people are making out. I'm not sure about listening to it when you're racing but I definitely have a blast of my favourite trance or house music a few moments before getting strapped in and then it's fresh in my mind when I go out. I know everybody is different but for me it helps me keep focused a bit more.

Hamish Weir · 16 Jul 2003, 21:14 (Ref:663314)

Thanks mate at least some people know what I mean.

Richy_Rich · 17 Jul 2003, 06:38 (Ref:663604)

I know what you mean, Hamish. Loud music never seemed to get in the way in my younger half-pipe skating days and iPods are very, very popular with snowboarders.

I have thought about this too, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't get it past the officials (if they noticed) and if you had a big off you can guess what would take the blame, regardless of the facts.

And to continue the suggested music theme, how about;
Jerry was a race-car driver - Primus
Bend over, I'll drive - The Cramps
Cabbies on crack - The Ramones
Move the car - Lagwagon

**Peter Mallett** · 17 Jul 2003, 07:05 (Ref:663616)

Well for me music in a race car would just be a distraction. There was a song about some years ago called "Skagman" and it had a hook which I just couldn't get out of my head. All through practice at Thruxton I was listening to this daft song. Didn't notice I had a collapsed rear damper until I saw my lopsided car sitting in the paddock. You'd think that an experienced driver like me would have noticed. So now I make it a rule to never listen to the radio on race days.

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