AC Multiclass Abarth500/Mazda MX5@Wellington500, Wed 12th April 2023

[HF2000]

As I've started to practice more my body is starting to fall to bits. Most serious is that I'm getting quite painful hand/finger joints and Wellington really seems to make things worse. The T1 hairpin was a real killer.

I couldn't get near the quick times but somehow managed to end up P3 after the first corner mishaps. However, I got spun round a few laps latter and the pain in my hands made me lose the will to live. Sorry for bailing out but I was virtually last and needed to save myself for Sunday's 1.5h RDEC marathon !

Having a desk based rig doesn't help ergonomically as it has limited adjustment. I have a nice sim racing chair (not on casters), a Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2 wheel with CSL DD wheel base. I haven't cranked up the FFB to 11 as that also gave me pain elsewhere!

So, everything a seems in basically in the right place and setup correctly. I guess I just need to monitor how much practice I do.

Anyone else suffering sim induced injuries? Apart from rest, any suggestions on making my body last a bit longer

I had the same problems. The point was that if a tense situation occurred in the race (tough corner, a fight with another car) I would squeeze my steering wheel very hard and also tense my arm and shoulder muscles when I didn't need to.

When I was aware of this, I started practicing offline with AI to drive as relaxed as possible.
That helped although it still happens sometimes but much less. And also because I now pay attention to that during our races.

 

[Kek700]

@JamKart22

I have a collection of remedies, too long winded to cite them here, but eventually I bit the bullet and gambled on Holland and Barrett

Max strength Glucosamine Sulphate + Chrondroitin and MSM with Collagen. 180 tablets.

Not cheap but they helped massively. A 76 year old is not going to turn into a 20 year old with a few bleeding tablets.

I bought them , ignored I was taking them, carried on with my every day life.
Eventually because I was not focusing on a miracle, it eventually dawned on me there was a noticeable improvement.
My hands still seize ocationally and I have to flex them a bit to get them to stop seizing up completely, but it is doable.
I only take one tablet at night, you are supposed to take 3 a day, so I still have some Le way. I also take omega 3 which also helps to.

My next port of call is John, he is really good at sorting these problems, if my remedy eventually become none effective, I will have a chat to John, you may also wish to do this, but you sound to me to be at the first stage.

The rig could be problematic, I went for a F1 seating arrangement to try and combat back problems and comfort. This works vey well for me. This may be an Avenue to follow, it sits in the living room, but Arthritis and comfort trump aesthetics.

PS
Han has made some interesting and usable points above. I get much less tense now, which may be for me an unseen factor in helping me.

 

[HF2000]

Han has made some interesting and usable points above. I get much less tense now, which may be for me an unseen factor in helping me.

I forgot to mention it in my previous post but continuous tension is the cause of RSI.

 

[stigs2cousin]

Damn, that sucks to hear.

Hope you get a grip on the problem.
(thirty years ago I laughed when somebody told me : "getting old is not for cowards"
Who´s laughing now?)

Anyone else suffering sim induced injuries? Apart from rest, any suggestions on making my body last a bit longer

No but from a motorcycle induced injury, I broke my right patella once and during the healing process overexerted the other knee which now gives me trouble on a regular basis.

For Simracing I got it under control by designing my rig for a straight brake knee as every bit of rotation leads to pain and loss of force real fast.


I also did quite some research on driving/simming ergonomics but don´t have a straight answer for you.

The concept is to only steer from your arms with loosely applied hands, grip the wheel as lightly as possible. Only use the grip force you need to overcome the FFB, that way you´ll also feel the car better.
( I´m closer than most with the wheel in the middle of my forearm when I straighten my arms but I´m partial to high FFB, my SC2 is unlimited with FFB strength in AC variing from 30-50%)

MFG Carsten

Edith: and late to the party again

 

[JamKart22]

I think I'm in the early stages of RSI so I need to be careful. This was a useful read if anyone is also starting to get pain in the hands.

 

[JOSEJ]

sorry i missed the fun guys. internet went down in the morning and just came back a while ago. just as well i suppose, i was really struggling to find the flow through that track. felt like i was in a pin ball machine...
catch you on the next one.
d

I really missed you, Domenic

 

[dbx71]

I really missed you, Domenic

same. i was really looking forward to the race. i did 60 practice laps the night before, and i don't even think i was able to match your time! i tried everything, and every line through that blasted track but just could not get below 1:38... i was really looking forward to the challenge and to seeing how everyone else got along in the race, and then the damn internet went down about an hour before practice time.

really frustrating, but i'll be there to catch you on the next one! not today's race unfortunately, since i need to head out for work.

 

[dbx71]

As I've started to practice more my body is starting to fall to bits. Most serious is that I'm getting quite painful hand/finger joints and Wellington really seems to make things worse. The T1 hairpin was a real killer.

I couldn't get near the quick times but somehow managed to end up P3 after the first corner mishaps. However, I got spun round a few laps latter and the pain in my hands made me lose the will to live. Sorry for bailing out but I was virtually last and needed to save myself for Sunday's 1.5h RDEC marathon !

Having a desk based rig doesn't help ergonomically as it has limited adjustment. I have a nice sim racing chair (not on casters), a Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2 wheel with CSL DD wheel base. I haven't cranked up the FFB to 11 as that also gave me pain elsewhere!

So, everything a seems in basically in the right place and setup correctly. I guess I just need to monitor how much practice I do.

Anyone else suffering sim induced injuries? Apart from rest, any suggestions on making my body last a bit longer

sorry to hear. yes, the years start to catch up with the best of us. as everyone knows, physical activity is super-important, and i find that i must take frequent breaks to stand up and stretch, or go for a long walk / jog, either on treadmill or outside, to break up long hours on the sim. i suffer with the cold weather too, especially my hands, which sucks since i spend most of my day working on PC.
sounds like han and ernie both have some great advice. i also find that i get very tense during races, and grinding my teeth and tensing my arms and shoulders. probably part of the reason i feel exhausted after race. i think han is correct and it's important to try and be more relaxed during races. i'm sure this puts a lot of stress on your body.
take care.

 

[Shed 17]

I forgot to mention it in my previous post but continuous tension is the cause of RSI.

I haven't got a clue who this who this guy is but he seems to have some advice for those of us of senior years.

Maybe he has been the cause of Han's continuous tension over the years????

 

[HF2000]

Maybe he has been the cause of Han's continuous tension over the years???

You have no idea!!!!

 

[Kek700]

To whom it may concern, this track has two commitment corners, one no-choice corner, and one technical corner the rest are just innate ability corners or how quick you are.
The first corner is your ability to sense speed and braking and the best turn-in.
The second corner is a no choice but to be early on the throttle and very careful, the third corner is a skilled corner, braking turn-in and on the throttle earlier ( Town hall )( still a tricky corner with a lot of pitfalls). 4th corner is a commitment corner ( Nissan Mobile Chicane ) not so skilful just a 100% committed corner ( I lost a lot of time here ). The 5th corner of note was Dunlop Bridge corners, a complete set of obstacles, just a nightmare, setup, skill, commitment, and decent suspension. ( again I lost a lot of time here ) .
So if you were like me looking for time and not tenths, that is the two corners, Nissan Chicane and Dunlop Bridge.
just an observation of this very unusual circuit, I normally have my concerns when approaching a bend, usually one bend in every circuit I drive on, but this circuit had 4. Every lap was a constant battle ( 4 times a lap ) trying not to overthink it all.

 

[Giando Fraschini]

You can go to the practice server and jump in the car with other drivers. You can see their lines and braking point, which gear, etc. Then you can try to incorporate that in your own lines. Can be very helpful. Setup can gain you some time as wel, but it can also be quite personal. You can have my setup, but I’m not online tonight (band rehearsals).

For me it comes down to doing a lot of laps to get things right in the driving and make some turns automatic. But, as you mentioned, the chicanes and hairpins are quite tricky here. It took me quite a few laps do get some decent times on the board. Some (way more talented) guys here, learn tracks a lot faster than I do. So, I have to put some time in learning tracks, finding lines and get up to speed. Especially at this one.

I can give you my setup tomorrow if you want.

Thank you Bouke, i apologize for my late reply. Had too much work to do and couldn't even participate to the race. Thanks a lot for your advices. I really didn't have the time to practice.
See you on track next time, next race!

 

[Boukâh]

Thank you Bouke, i apologize for my late reply. Had too much work to do and couldn't even participate to the race. Thanks a lot for your advices. I really didn't have the time to practice.
See you on track next time, next race!

No problem Giando! Hope to see you next time.

 

[Allan Ramsbottom]

My pain remedy is quite simple really...Jack Daniels...Lots of it..Works a treat..

 

[HF2000]

My pain remedy is quite simple really...Jack Daniels...Lots of it..Works a treat..

I must say that indeed Bowmore takes away a lot of the tension with simracing. But then I have problems to stay on track on the straights.

 

[Dzul]

Laphroaig... Quarter Cask. Proper refuelling...

 

[Janosch12]

Does Maß have to be Premium to participate?

 

[HF2000]

Does Maß have to be Premium to participate?

Yes you do. But if you don't want that, there will probably be another Rookie event for which also non premium members can sign up (without Emperor) somewhere in June.

Premium membership cost 1 euro per month and you can attend 3 AC races every week and also events with other sims. See the tab ESPORTS to get a view on that.
You also get access to the download section and other things and you will receive an Emperor account. See tab PREMIUM for that.

Btw: this event is in the past. This is the one for next Wednesday: https://www.racedepartment.com/thre...lver-city-raceway-wed-19th-april-2023.257649/

 

[Janosch12]

Yes you do. But if you don't want that, there will probably be another Rookie event for which also non premium members can sign up (without Emperor) somewhere in June.

Premium membership cost 1 euro per month and you can attend 3 AC races every week and also events with other sims. See the tab ESPORTS to get a view on that.
You also get access to the download section and other things and you will receive an Emperor account. See tab PREMIUM for that.

Btw: this event is in the past. This is the one for next Wednesday: https://www.racedepartment.com/thre...lver-city-raceway-wed-19th-april-2023.257649/

Thanks but I will persuade my dad to get the premium account

 

[Medilloni]

My next port of call is John, he is really good at sorting these problems, if my remedy eventually become none effective, I will have a chat to John, you may also wish to do this, but you sound to me to be at the first stage.

You're too kind Ernie

For the arthritis I'm still with the Turmeric mix (Golden Paste, home made - ready made's too expensive and not as powerful), though we're all different and I guess respond to different treatments.

For instant relief for sore fingers/hands I use CBD Gel, it's not a cure but gives huge relief for a few hours. Unfortunately you don't get high off it

My sim-rig-induced back problem was massively relieved by the full harness - it locks my hips and shoulders so I'm not tilting either side just above the hip (from Th12, L1 down to L5, a prob I've had for about 25yrs). Belts were £17 off eBay... and yes, I pretend to be a racing driver
[Edit to this - it keeps the shoulders back, so I'm not slouching forward with head tilted back (like a reverse S shape), which stopped some pain at the base of the neck]

But as some of you have mentioned, wish I could stop grinding my teeth, so annoying