neck support?

Justin Mitchell · Joined: 06 Feb 2012 Posts: 11

So... I autocross a shifter kart (mod moto), but have been considering doing some sprint races. Today I took the kart to Mooresville Motorplex. After a couple of short sessions, I became unable to keep my head up straight around long/fast turns. It's bad enough that I could barely see where I was going around some turns. I was driving on MG Greens. I use a foam donut from K1 racing.

#1 Is there any better neck support that will make a significant difference with this?

#2 The tires I was using today are stickier than most. Mooresville users the Hoosier R60A as the spec tire for their leagues. Do you think I'll have this problem with a harder tire, such as these? Was I just driving on way too much tire?

Anyways, thanks in advance Smile

joseph hollinger · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 9:26 pm Post subject: Re: neck support?

TJ Koyen · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 1415

As Hollinger said, doing some neck exercises will help more than anything.

There are some pretty thick, huge, uncomfortable foam neck braces you can get but they don't allow you to move your head around much and they make you look like a noob Wink

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Tim Reed · Joined: 30 Jul 2002 Posts: 93 Location: Cincinnati

Justin - what kind of helmet are you wearing? Maybe look into a lighter helmet, too.

Ken Schilling · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 1345

I've found that thicker neck braces can actually work against you by not allowing you to tilt your head into the corner to counteract the G forces. Your helmet may also not have a "cut out" to clear your collarbone when you tilt your head. Helmet weight is also crucial, get the lightest helmet you can.

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Justin Mitchell · Joined: 06 Feb 2012 Posts: 11

Jeff DeMello · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:50 am Post subject:

Justin, keep doing laps in your kart.. Your neck mussels will get stronger.
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Jeff DeMello
Emmick F125 Pavesi

Marshall Martin · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 6:27 pm Post subject:

I went thru several years of not being able to complete more than 5 laps because my neck would give out and the pain was unbearable. I finally went thru some physical therapy for a should and talked to the therapist about my neck. She gave me some things to do but still no help. I went looking and found the following exercises;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98NYmIRkHf0&feature=relmfu

I modified it a bit using a flat 3lb weight from Dick's Sporting Goods and laying flat on the floor with my legs up. I started with 5 reps each (back, right side, left side) and 3 sets. Within 2 weeks I was up to 15 reps each and 3 sets.

After 2 weeks I made a practice run of 20 laps and completed a 12 lap pre-final and 16 lap final. I was able to do a 28 lap final about 2 months later.

These were all at the South Bend track which is .6 mile tight track with very little resting time and high G Force.

I now do 4 sets of 15 reps each at least 5 times a week.

Simple cheap and effective. I think the weight cost me about $8.
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Marshall Martin
LSR Motorsports
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Justin Mitchell · Joined: 06 Feb 2012 Posts: 11

Nice! Thanks Marshall. I'll definitely try that exercise and report back!

joseph hollinger · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:25 pm Post subject:

You're helmet is a 3 pound weight. Something to do when you are watching TV--with your helmet on. Nothing weird about that.
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Gerry MacNutt · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:33 pm Post subject:

Arai GP-6s = boat anchor

Justin Mitchell · Joined: 06 Feb 2012 Posts: 11

joseph hollinger · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:55 pm Post subject:

I've got three helmets. My Arai Corsair (motorcycle helmet) is about 3.4 pounds. That's not that heavy.
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A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on. -- Winston Churchill.

Chuck Skowron · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 1152

Tim Blaney · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 1127