HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN SUPERCAR RACING? My dad was always involved in the racing scene – he actually used to do a little bit of racing himself, although nothing too competitive. As a kid I spent a fair bit of time at racetracks and it was always on the TV at home so that’s what sparked my interest. For my ninth birthday Dad bought me a go-kart and right from an early age I started racing. I spent my childhood travelling around Australia competing in different go-kart tournaments but it wasn’t until I was 16 that I realised I wanted to make racing a career. WHAT DOES YOUR TRAINING REGIME INVOLVE? I think what a lot of people don’t realise is that as Supercar drivers, our time in the car is limited. We only drive the cars three times a year outside of race meetings so for me training involves other forms of fitness. I enjoy cycling, a little bit of running, and going to the gym. My friends on the Gold Coast are also into fitness and my girlfriend Dani is actually a reformer Pilates instructor, so lately I’ve been getting into that too. TIM SLADE Team BOC and Freightliner Racing YOU COME WITHIN MILLIMETRES OF WALLS, BARRICADES AND OTHER DRIVERS. HOW DO YOU GET TO BE SO PRECISE? As with any professional in their chosen industry or field, precision comes with practice. I think go-karting and driving race cars from a young age helped me develop my skills. You also can’t be afraid to give it everything you’ve got. On street tracks like the one on the Gold Coast, if you don’t come away with a few scrapes or lost mirrors, you probably haven’t tried hard enough! DO YOU HAVE A PRE-RACE REGIME? IF SO, WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE? No, I don’t. I don’t have any superstitions or rituals. I like to keep it very simple before my races. WHAT IS THE PHYSICAL TOLL OF SUPERCAR RACING? Supercars get extremely hot; sometimes it can get up to 60 degrees in the cabin, which definitely takes its toll on your body. And because the races we compete in are long – on average twoand a-half hours – they require a high level of endurance. For me the main toll is on my lower body. People might not realise how much we use our lower body but the brake force and input on the accelerator is intense. Plus it’s repetitive and we’re strapped in place super tight so we can’t readjust our positions to get more comfortable or stretch. After a race I usually feel it the most in my glutes and lower back. I think that surprises people because they assume steering would be the most difficult component but thanks to power steering, it’s actually not too bad on your arms. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN YOUR CONCENTRATION DURING RACES? Concentrating under extreme pressure is definitely something you learn over time but I think this is probably where physical fitness comes into play. Being physically fit helps you mentally because when you’re tired your body is strong enough to sustain you. It’s also really important to focus on good hydration and nutrition leading up to a race. When your core temperature rises it does become difficult to concentrate so you need to remember to be well hydrated. HAVE YOU COMPETED ON THE GOLD COAST BEFORE? WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE CASTROL GOLD COAST 600 TRACK? Yes, every year since 2009. The Gold Coast track is fun because there’s always a good vibe and a buzz among spectators. Street circuits in general are pretty fun. They’re the most physically demanding and tactically challenging so when you compete well, it’s even more rewarding. IN COMPARISON TO OTHER TRACKS HOW CHALLENGING IS THE GOLD COAST? Because it’s shorter than most, the Gold Coast track is a little more challenging because there’s no time at all for rest. There are lots of variables including different surfaces, tight bends, chicanes and concrete walls. WHAT ROLE DO THE SPECTATORS PLAY IN A RACE? DO YOU EVEN KNOW THEY’RE THERE? During the race not so much but we’re at the racetrack for four days and in that time we spend a fair bit of time outside of the cars, so it’s nice when there’s a good atmosphere. You definitely pick up on the vibe and it does help. The Gold Coast is one of the best tracks in that respect because not all of them attract the same fun buzz. HOW DO YOU GO IN A NORMAL CAR? DO YOU EVER LET DANI DRIVE? I’m fine – it’s like chalk and cheese and I get my fix for speed and adrenalin on the race track anyway. I’m probably more of a critical passenger than most people but luckily Dani is a good driver! IF YOU WEREN’T RACING SUPERCARS, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? My honest answer is I don’t know because I’ve been doing it for so long. I have worked on race teams before and I really enjoy that team environment so maybe something like that? When I was a kid, before I started go-karting, I used to think it would be cool to be a fighter pilot. DO YOU GET ANY TIME AT THESE EVENTS TO ENJOY THE OFF-TRACK ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES? During the week of racing it’s all business but if we get a good result at the end of the day on Sunday, I might join in on the activities that night. DRIVER Q+A TICKETING INFORMATION TICKETS FOR SUPERCARS CASTROL GOLD COAST 600 CAN BE PURCHASED FROM TICKETEK.COM.AU AND ALL TICKET PURCHASES INCLUDE SAME-DAY ACCESS TO THE 600 SOUNDS CONCERTS. PRE-PURCHASED TICKETS ALSO INCLUDE FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO AND FROM THE EVENT ON SELECT SERVICES. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT SUPERCARS.COM/GOLD-COAST/EVENT-GUIDE/TRANSPORT-PARKING 90 Pindara Magazine 2016
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Eight
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