Capitol News

Ricky Taylor in the race car simulator in the Ferguson Lab, Michigan State University.

When considering physically challenging sports, football, basketball, and hockey often come to mind. However, the question arises: is race car driving equally demanding? According to Jordan Taylor and Ricky Taylor of the WTRAndretti sports car team, it is both physically and mentally taxing.

In 2017, the Taylors began collaborating with David Ferguson, an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Michigan State University. Ferguson specializes in improving health and human performance for race car drivers. Their work includes preparation for events such as the Six Hours of the Glen endurance race scheduled for June 20-23.

The Taylors and Ferguson provided insights into the challenges faced by race car drivers:

**Why did you seek out Ferguson? What was the team looking to discover?**

Ricky Taylor, co-driver of No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 GTP: "The goal has always been to be competitive—wanting to win and seeing what other people are doing. I think looking at every aspect of motorsport is important... The cheapest way to go faster is the driver."

Jordan Taylor, co-driver of No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06 GTP: "As a racecar driver, you don’t get a lot of data on yourself... Through tests, we learn a lot about ourselves and how we can improve ourselves as athletes."

David Ferguson noted that he has worked with WTRAndretti since 2017: "I’ve had the pleasure of working with them since 2017 at the Rolex 24-hour race in Daytona... We measured blood glucose, blood lactate... It was quite an educational experience."

**What physical stressors do you experience when racing?**

Jordan Taylor described intense conditions: "This isn’t like driving a car on the highway—you’re in a violent race car doing up to 3 or 4 Gs on corners... You sweat out between 3 and 5 pounds per hour."

Ferguson added specifics: "They’re going to be exposed to 3 to 5 Gs... It will be intense—like running a marathon in July in a winter ski suit while wrestling an Olympic champion."

Ricky Taylor highlighted unique muscle use: "We don’t have power brake assist... You work unique muscle groups in your neck, core and lower body."

**What are the mental stressors you face?**

Jordan Taylor emphasized interconnected physical and mental challenges: "If my heart is beating out of my chest... I’m not thinking about driving properly."

Ferguson explained their holistic approach: "...we typically will bring drivers to our lab for two to three days. They’ll go through a battery of tests..."

Ricky Taylor noted mental resilience's importance: "...You want your physical ability to be above and beyond what you need... As soon as you feel yourself physically start to degrade, the mental side goes with it."

**What has been the greatest insight you have gained from this process?**

Jordan Taylor pointed out nutritional impacts: "...understanding nutrition side ... My brother and I are two years apart but our bodies are completely different."

Ricky Taylor discussed performance tracking benefits: "...interesting to see your various numbers ... Dr. Ferguson giving training advice ... definite improvement in my endurance..."

**So, drivers are truly athletes?**

Ricky Taylor affirmed this view: "Yes,racecar drivers are athletes because we experience similar physical stressors..."

Jordan Taylor concurred citing intensity levels reached during races.

Ferguson concluded by likening drivers' fitness levels with other elite athletes.