Performance Enhancing Drugs...

[crcn11]

Ok, before I start, yes this is probably the most ridiculous thread in this section of GT Planet. But do you think performance enhancing drugs make any difference with a video game? It's obviously something they can't control until the finals, but if someone used them to get through, it could still mean one less place for someone who is legit.

The reason I'm thinking about this is because I drank a can of red bull before setting my personal best lap in the last round, knocking just under a second off my time. And I was thinking, Red Bull isn't legal in all countries. If the stimulants had some sort of an effect on me, surely I have just gained an unfair advantage over someone who doesn't have access to the drink where they live.

So was that in my head, did the drink actually help and do hard core performance enhancing drugs actually have an impact on people's gameplay?

 

[TRC Scooty]

I regularly hit my hotlaps after a few (real) beers. Back when I ran in a Forza league I used to enjoy a couple of Great Divide Titan's pre-qual/race and took a few poles/wins. Really just helped me loosen up and enjoy the racing. The difference between sim and real life for me is in sim I get jittery, I anticipate and I think it's due to having too much time to think. In real life (autox) I'm absolutely calm and honed in and wouldn't want something like a slight buzz or excessive caffine ruining that concentration.

 

[Joey D]

I think a vast majority of video game players are fueled by energy drinks.

 

[dsgerbc]

Lol. Imagining people peeing in the cup after sitting in front of the monitor....
Anything in the rules about it?
If I had a shot at the finals I'd be worried about some geek cracking GTA save code and feeding the sequence of inputs from a USB device mimicking the wheel before I'd be worrying about people using stimulants

 

[Dhalism]

I regularly hit my hotlaps after a few (real) beers. Back when I ran in a Forza league I used to enjoy a couple of Great Divide Titan's pre-qual/race and took a few poles/wins. Really just helped me loosen up and enjoy the racing. The difference between sim and real life for me is in sim I get jittery, I anticipate and I think it's due to having too much time to think. In real life (autox) I'm absolutely calm and honed in and wouldn't want something like a slight buzz or excessive caffine ruining that concentration.

yea that's what i theorycrafted as well e-racing is a very unique experience in a sense that it combines long periods of having to think absolutely nothing(the straights) and the moments of extreme concentration in the corners. I feel as well that alcohol helps cause you need to "dumb" yourself down a bit. In the real life i suppose due to more feedback from the car and adrenaline it's easier to focus.

Now with the blessing of Scooty himself i will become an alcoholic over the next week and a half.

Lol. Imagining people peeing in the cup after sitting in front of the monitor....
Anything in the rules about it?
If I had a shot at the finals I'd be worried about some geek cracking GTA save code and feeding the sequence of inputs from a USB device mimicking the wheel before I'd be worrying about people using stimulants

i'm really shocked noone has done that. I'm even more shocked that there was no additional patch for 8-5 and yet noone looked into the files and found out that it was 370z on TRM. If it was a PC game top players woulda been playing the cracked version of TRM for 2 months already.

 

[ROYALEFATALE]

I'd be worried about some geek cracking GTA save code and feeding the sequence of inputs from a USB device mimicking the wheel before I'd be worrying about people using stimulants

i was thinking about this a lot, we know it's possible to control the inputs with a computer, it would only be a matter of running a program to trigger all of the inputs resulting in THE perfect lap, would probably take a long time to program and find the absolute thresholds between gas/steering/brakes before oversteer occurs, etc.

 

[dsgerbc]

i was thinking about this a lot, we know it's possible to control the inputs with a computer, it would only be a matter of running a program to trigger all of the inputs resulting in THE perfect lap, would probably take a long time to program and find the absolute thresholds between gas/steering/brakes before oversteer occurs, etc.

Take inputs from the replay of the fastest driver, tweak them a bit and replay as your own.

 

[Ronald6]

Take inputs from the replay of the fastest driver, tweak them a bit and replay as your own.

Unless the hacker can back it up (in which case he wouldn't need to hack it) it would be very obvious in the next stage.
Hack = lawsuit = ouch.

 

[Dhalism]

Unless the hacker can back it up (in which case he wouldn't need to hack it) it would be very obvious in the next stage.
Hack = lawsuit = ouch.

you can easily blame it on the nerves

 

[GTP_CargoRatt]

It's funny you bring this up because I do my best hotlapping and racing after I take my pain meds (Oxycotin) and my anxiety meds. A medicated brownie always helps also, lol.

 

[Fisha695]

I've always seemed to do best at racing games when I was really really tired. Like the kind of tired (or maybe it'd be classified as exhausted) where things seem just slightly slower then normal and you're sort of "out of it" concentration wise.

I'm not sure why but I guess it's because when in that state of mind I'm just "relaxed" and it's easier to get into a rhythmic motion & just go with the flow instead of trying to push it thus resulting in over-pushing it.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

Listening to a pumping music or relaxing music might do good for some people, it did have an effect for me, took the edge off and helped me to lessen the stress. Disabling the lap time display might also be a good idea to keep the pressure at bay, and eating my favourite food between retries gets me in the mood

 

[Ibonibo]

It's funny you bring this up because I do my best hotlapping and racing after I take my pain meds (Oxycotin) and my anxiety meds. A medicated brownie always helps also, lol.

And exactly this is what they mean by that.
If you smoke pot, take other drugs, need to take strong meds, anti-depressive,...

they will reject you sooner or later. I just hope people who are not eligable in any way say so in the beginning, so that others can take their place.

(this is not meant directly at you kb, I heard your story...)

 

[foul play]

well me mate smokes a few joints before he gets going and got to say hes crap

 

[RSnider]

I've often wondered how PD/Nissan will handle contestants with documented conditions requiring stimulant medication, namely someone with severe ADD/ADHD. On the one hand, amphetamines are extremely powerful at improving concentration and stamina. On the other hand, is it fair to deny entrance to an individual that is essentially dependent on the medication? As it's a contest, PD/Nissan get to decide what's fair and what isn't, so it's ultimately up to them.

 

[GTP_CargoRatt]

And exactly this is what they mean by that.
If you smoke pot, take other drugs, need to take strong meds, anti-depressive,...

they will reject you sooner or later. I just hope people who are not eligable in any way say so in the beginning, so that others can take their place.

(this is not meant directly at you kb, I heard your story...)

I was going to say....everything I take is prescribed, right down to the medical marijuana card. And I don't abuse any of it. (Well, maybe an extra brownie or cigg here and there, lol)

 

[portmod7]

If I had a shot at the finals I'd be worried about some geek cracking GTA save code and feeding the sequence of inputs from a USB device mimicking the wheel before I'd be worrying about people using stimulants

Been wondering about this a lot myself. Can't be THAT hard for someone who knows what they're doing. But I would also guess that it's really a non-issue.

 

[Tidgney]

Yes...

In fact that is one of my tips I've put in my tutorial video (Being uploaded this weekend) to go quicker. But I only talk about caffiene, but anything which improved focus can help you, but it's not a guarantee it will work of course! I don't really do the caffeine thing, I did it last year when I was learning the wheel just to get the improved reaction times. But I'll explain that more in that video.

 

[Ross]

I always have a can of Diet Pepsi next to me when racing online at 1 in the morning but that's just to keep me focused. I have noticed I gain a few tenths when I have an energy drink though.

 

[Ronald6]

I've often wondered how PD/Nissan will handle contestants with documented conditions requiring stimulant medication, namely someone with severe ADD/ADHD. On the one hand, amphetamines are extremely powerful at improving concentration and stamina. On the other hand, is it fair to deny entrance to an individual that is essentially dependent on the medication? As it's a contest, PD/Nissan get to decide what's fair and what isn't, so it's ultimately up to them.

I don't think this will be a problem. My youngest son has ADHD and the problems it creates would be obvious in the next rounds. ADHD doesn't lend itself to to serious rl driving. Even if he qualified he would be too distracted to compete effectively.

 

[dsgerbc]

Been wondering about this a lot myself. Can't be THAT hard for someone who knows what they're doing. But I would also guess that it's really a non-issue.

Yeah, just a free trip to the national final and a lot of sucking there probably aren't worth the effort.

 

[portmod7]

Yeah, just a free trip to the national final and a lot of sucking there probably aren't worth the effort.

Exactly 👍

 

[LeftyWright69]

I wonder how the officials would react if you hammerd a Red Bull or a 5 hr. energy right in front of them?

 

[Beefstallion]

I am not buying that energy drinks will increase lap times...if anything, it is likely psychological. I used to think Big League Chew made me hit wiffle balls like a boss...then again, I was like seven years old.

 

[Prostock26]

I am not buying that energy drinks will increase lap times...if anything, it is likely psychological. I used to think Big League Chew made me hit wiffle balls like a boss...then again, I was like seven years old.

Post of the week right there. Lol

I havent noticed any difference with beer, pop, water, music or anything. I wish I could find something. I still need 1.5 secs.

 

[crcn11]

Well thanks for the input guys. Lol. Some interesting points brought up. Feel free to keep contributing.

 

[MustangManiac]

Do twinkies count as performance enhancing drugs

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

Go here if interested in finding the right energy drink to boost alertness and stay awake longer
Some of the best reviewed and worth a shot :

Kymera Freakish Energy Mythic Melon
http://www.screamingenergy.com/energy_drink_314.php


Tweak Extreme Grape
http://www.screamingenergy.com/energy_drink_285.php


VPX Meltdown Fat Assault Watermelon
http://www.screamingenergy.com/energy_drink_281.php

Results may vary to individuals, but to be sure drinks at least 5 servings at once

 

[Racingworld68]

a line of coke does it for me everytime

now without joking, I do not think there would be a problem with energy drinks.... but then again when you reach the academy, part of the trainingprogram is how you should be keeping best maintance of your body. I am sure they will talk about food aswell, where they will tell you that if you change your food habbit, you will not need those drinks....

 

[USARMYCOMBATVET]

I don't think this will be a problem. My youngest son has ADHD and the problems it creates would be obvious in the next rounds. ADHD doesn't lend itself to to serious rl driving. Even if he qualified he would be too distracted to compete effectively.

The physical/medical evaluation is the main point here. Anyone with a medical condition not in compliance with rules will be looked over.

Medical Declaration – Car, Truck or Kart Racing and all International Licence
Applicants 10.1.9.
"...The following medical conditions may prevent the granting of a Competition
Licence:
(a) Myocardial infarction.
(b) Myocardial ischaemia.
(c) Coronary artery by-pass surgery.
(d) Coronary Angioplasty.
(e) Valvular Disease of the Heart or other abnormal condition whether operated on
or not.
(f) Severe hypertension which has given rise to cardiopulmonary problems.
(g) Any mental or behavioural disorders*, past or present whether or not under
treatment with drugs or therapy."

Source:http://www.msauk.org/uploadedfiles/msa_forms/Comp_Licence_Notes.pdf (accessible from the official rules of GT Academy 2012 on http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/academy/2012/rules/)