Just out of curiosity.....how did Diet Coke (my beverage of choice) fair in
this empirical quantification of Speed Boosting Beverages? :)
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-autox@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-autox@autox.team.net]On
Behalf Of Kelly, Katie
Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 12:58 PM
To: 'EngstromSCCA@home.com'
Cc: 'autox@autox.team.net'
Subject: Speed Tip: Coke Adds Speed
I drink Coca Cola. This is not for luck. I cannot control luck. If I could
control luck, then it would not be luck anymore. Then it would be destiny,
and that's something else, different than luck.
But can we really control destiny? Or is it all but mapped out for us,
predetermined? Do we really have any control? Am I digressing? Can I stop?
I have scientific research to support my Coke theory. Andy McKee turned me
onto this trick. I have tried variations on his theme. It depends on the
time of day, and the required intensity level.
For general purposes, I'll drink one Coke prior to my runs to get the sugar
and caffeine into my system. Timing is key. Drink too soon, you'll risk
lowering your blood sugar and autocrossing in a coma. Drink too late, well,
it might just be too late. Of course, I can't define when is the exact time.
I trust my intuition, and guzzle accordingly.
That's for the first Coke. Then, depending on the time of day again, I'll
sip another one. This maintains an even flow in the blood stream. I
generally don't do this too early in the morning, unless it's a "serious"
event, and I'm desperate.
A couple of years ago, when Joe Cheng invited me to drive the Phantom in
Vancouver, Gary Milligan was shocked that I would indeed require two Cokes
before my morning runs. Wouldn't you? I was fueled by fear, and I needed an
extra little kick to boost my hyperactive state whilst preventing me from
seriously considering the adventure presented before me and the potential of
making quite the spectacle of myself. It actually kind of made me nauseous,
chugging two Cokes at 8:30 in the morning, but what can I say, the results
speak for themselves.
Now, at Nationals in '99, I took a gamble, and paid the price. Day One, look
what happens. I drink Coca Cola, and I'm second in the nation in B Stock,
just as planned, of course.
Day Two, look what I do: I have no Coke nearby, but my mom buys me a PEPSI
from the nearby concession stand. Andy McKee is standing nearby to lend his
moral support. "Katie, you fool!" he says, shaking me. "Where is your
Coke?!"
I had no time to fret. "Don't worry, I've got a Pepsi," I said, calmly,
arrogantly, cocking my head, winking, flashing the peace sign. This was more
to myself than Andy. I couldn't let a lack of Coke stand between me and
victory.
"Are you SURE?! I've got a Coke here if you need it!"
"No, no, I'll be fine."
Well, I dropped from 2nd to 5TH! It surely couldn't be driver error, no way,
and no way will I admit that probably, most likely, the others drove better
than I did, NO WAY WILL I ADMIT THAT! Nor could it have been nerves. Why?
Thanks to that Pepsi, I was barely awake to have any nerves.
A local autocrosser, Darren Madams, recently conducted his own scientific
research at work, and presented his findings to our local Bay Area autocross
Email list. I can't remember the specifics of his study, but the essence is
that he tested and charted his own reaction times after consuming different
types of sodas and sport drinks.
Coke finished number one, hands down.
Katie Kelly
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