Motor racing: Fitness plays a key role to success

Jan 21 2009 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

FITNESS is incredibly important to a top-class racer.

Not only does Tom Tunstall have to have the strength to handle the power, but also the agility to handle the corners.

He explains: “People often ask me what I do in the off season, and they’re usually surprised when I tell them I’m actually busier than after the season’s kicked off.

“Because we run our own team I organise the support, race bikes, team personnel, equipment – basically getting everything in place for the season.

“Like many things, successful results come down to good preparation. Which is why I’ve been spending a lot of time at Total Fitness Gym in Waterloo.

“Physical condition is very important on a 1000cc 220bhp superbike.

“The weight and power of the bike, the constant acceleration and braking, plus moving your body around to control the bike is hard work!

“We have two races and if you get tired not only do you slow down but you can lose concentration and make mistakes which isn’t good when you reach speeds of around 190mph!

“Fitness is one of the things that a bike racer has direct control over.

“I’m really pleased to get support from Total Fitness Waterloo. They’ve got loads of good equipment for all my training plus the pool and hydrotherapy area are great for relaxing muscles after a training session.

“My training programme is always evolving to strengthen any weak areas and involves a good mix of cardiovascular work, plus weights sessions to build muscle endurance and strength.

“It’s important to get the right balance of strength and not bulking up.

“The extra weight not only slows the bike, but you lose agility and flexibility which you need to move around on the bike and to try avoid injury when you crash!

“Through winter I train daily with a rest day every two weeks or if my body tells me I need it. I’m lucky to get some help from the Nike shop in Castleford with training kit as I tend to get through it!

“I’m working on the theory you get out what you put in – I’ll be stronger and fitter than ever when the season begins in April.”