Medical conditions

[TimD]

As an interested spectator, can anyone help me with what sorts of conditions would mitigate against an individual being considered for a competition licence?

I've always chuckled at a friend of mine who on being told that his racing days were over by his doctor (at 70 years plus) promptly went out and found a more sympathetic doctor - but there have to be things which could cause problems.

Is colourblindness an issue? Blood pressure? Diabetes, Epilepsy or Angina?

Would you be happy racing against someone who has squeaked through a medical by the skin of their teeth? It is a sad fact of life that we could all name racing drivers who have succumbed to a heart condition on track. Is this a risk too far for other competitors?

Opinions, anyone?

[Peter Mallett]

What about mental instability? Oops we all suffer from that anyway.

Diabetes is one complaint that can fail the test.

Eyesight (I now where glasses) but if it cannot be corrected then its "curtains".

Oddly enough, only having one eye is not necessarily an impediment.

There is also the question of status and experience. F'rinstance, dear old Gerry M isn't exactly the picture of health he once might have wished, but he's still out there playing.

I know of a doctor who is in his late seventies and still races his MGB.

Personally I have no objections to anybody racing provided they are not on strong medication.

[Tim Falce]

Originally posted by TimD
It is a sad fact of life that we could all name racing drivers who have succumbed to a heart condition on track. Is this a risk too far for other competitors?

Opinions, anyone?

Any one of us could succumb to a heart attack or stroke at any time so no one is 100% safe.
The people who have existing heart conditions are probably safer than the rest of us as they are regularly monitored and will know when things are not right.
As for epilepsy, you can't drive a road car if you suffer from this condition so you wouldn't get a racing licence.
Colour blindness depends on the degree of colour blindness and I think you can have a test with the MSA to see if you can tell the differences between the flags.

[Peter Mallett]

I rather like the lime green and purple one myself.

[Chris Y]

For a lot of 'conditions', including most mentioned above (I think including epilepsy), provided you can prove to the MSA (or a doctor perhaps) that you have the condition 'under control', you can race.

[rdjones]

Look at Paul O'Neil who raced for Vauxhall in the BTCC last year, earlier on this year he found out he had Diabetes, which has sadly meant he has not been able to race this year so far.

But I understand from another forum that it is now 'under control' and the MSA are going to give him his licance back in Mid-August and he is already talking to anyone and everyone in the TOCA paddock to give him a drive for the last part of the season.

[SPBRacing]

Peter
"Diabetes is one complaint that can fail the test."
Just to let you know You can get one with diabetes. I know this as I have diabetes and have held a race licence since 2000 with it. Okay you have to go and see the RAC doctor for the first time and then get a report every year but so far so good.

Just to let people know to go for it.

Stephen

[Chris Y]

I was going to mention Paul O'Neill actually, but I didn't know he had already heard about his licence - that's good news.
Most cases of diabetes are mild enough, or under control enough not to be a problem, as long as the doctors/MSA are aware of the condition.

[Peter Mallett]

Good news.

There seem to be very few "conditions" as long as you are treating them or being treated sensibly.

[Anuauto]

As implied above, the current anomally is that over a certain age about half the population need to be on some sort of medication for blood pressure etc. Those that are and are thus much safer get grilled via the application form but those that aren't and are thus potentially more dangerous do not. The ultimate nonsense in the amateur area of a sport that involves sitting down the whole time is that they will challenge such routine medication that is on the Int Olympic Cttee banned list (which some are) and demand your doctor re-consider. For an organisation that still seems to be dragging its feet over implementing EU demands that it become democratically elected, that is a step too far.

[verglas]

Provided the diabetes is not 'insulin dependent' then you should be ok. Epilepsy is also sort of ok, [provided it is not medication controlled.) MSA rules say that if you have not had a fit for 10 years (used to be 5 but it was changed 2 years ago)then you can apply for a race licence. I understand that these rules are derived from DVLA HGV or PSV regulations. All of the above relates to race licences. Licences for speed events (sprints and hillclimb) do not require a medical.

[Tracey]

I have a sneaking suspicion that if you have diabetes you are supposed to have a disabled sticker on your car. Insulin controlled diabetics can get a licence, but reading up it would take a fair bit of effort to get it.

Blue book sets an age limit where you have to have a yearly medical (my copy says 45 unless it's an international licence when it's every year regardless of age, but it's an old copy).

Regarding colour vision it says 'Drivers must have normal colour vision in that they can distinguish the primary colours of red and green.'

Interesting to note there is nothing about sufferers of mental health problems.

[Sheila M]

Originally posted by SkyRedButton
I have a sneaking suspicion that if you have diabetes you are supposed to have a disabled sticker on your car. Insulin controlled diabetics can get a licence, but reading up it would take a fair bit of effort to get it.

Blue book sets an age limit where you have to have a yearly medical (my copy says 45 unless it's an international licence when it's every year regardless of age, but it's an old copy).

Regarding colour vision it says 'Drivers must have normal colour vision in that they can distinguish the primary colours of red and green.'

Interesting to note there is nothing about sufferers of mental health problems.

I have seen a diabetic carrying a disabled sticker.

Suggest anyone who wants full clarification of what is and what is not compatible with racing, reads the Blue Book - Section E.2.9 Medical Declaration. It goes over three pages so is far too long to transcribe here.

[Slippy Diff]

Originally posted by Peter Mallett

There is also the question of status and experience. F'rinstance, dear old Gerry M isn't exactly the picture of health he once might have wished, but he's still out there playing.

Surely status and experience should not be a consideration when renewing a licence? I have seen Marshall pull some moves in the last 2 or 3 years that would have had me or anybody else up in front of the C of C, but hey, "it's good old Gerry"
Too many drivers watch the BTCC for example and think they can use the tactics employed in that series elsewhere. Problem is, that is a highly publicised and televised series and I am sure that the people who should be keeping the drivers in line look the other way a lot of the time because it supposedly makes good TV.

[Sheila M]

Originally posted by Slippy Diff
Surely status and experience should not be a consideration when renewing a licence?

If you're over 45 and pass a yearly medical then you can race. If you don't pass the medical (which apparently "should be similar to that required for Life Insurance" but with specific attention to certain conditions, then you don't race. Simple really.

[Slippy Diff]

Originally posted by Sheila M
If you're over 45 and pass a yearly medical then you can race. If you don't pass the medical (which apparently "should be similar to that required for Life Insurance" but with specific attention to certain conditions, then you don't race. Simple really.

Yep, realise that, I have had the licence medical many times to renew my licence (international'C' so every year), it is just that Peter Mallett seemed to suggest that status and experience should be a consideration when renewing.

[BootsOntheSide]

This is purely theoretical, but what would officials do about a driver suffering from M.E./Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or similar conditions which go 'up and down' a lot? Which symptoms would the doctos look for the most?

[Sheila M]

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
This is purely theoretical, but what would officials do about a driver suffering from M.E./Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or similar conditions which go 'up and down' a lot? Which symptoms would the doctos look for the most?

I wouldn't think officials would do anything. The doctors make the decision. Of course there is always the question of whether any medication is being taken and whether it is in the "banned" list

[Peter Mallett]

Originally posted by Slippy Diff
Yep, realise that, I have had the licence medical many times to renew my licence (international'C' so every year), it is just that Peter Mallett seemed to suggest that status and experience should be a consideration when renewing.

It shouldn't be a consideration.

What about David Butler? He heads up the disabled racing driver's club. Not certain of the exact title.

I have a medical every year because of age. It means I know I'm healthy so I don't begridge the cost.

[zefarelly]

Originally posted by Peter Mallett
I have a medical every year because of age. It means I know I'm healthy so I don't begridge the cost.

does that include a mental check as well Peter ?

[Peter Mallett]

Obviously not.

However I do begrudge the cost.

[zefarelly]

a literacy check would probably loose me my license as well !

[Peter Mallett]

Quite literally.

[R59]

One thing that makes me seeth a bit, is the extra that Life Insurance companies charge if you hold a racing licence.

I have a medical every year for my intl.C, which means that my doc should pick anything up that may have led to a pay-out by that said insurance company if I had carried on without being checked. They should give me a discount, not a loading!

Same goes for the ordinary car insurance.

In two years, it's ECG time every year, then after another 5, it's stress related.

The worry with diabetes is going hypo, which is not nice. I have known a couple of diabetics who have gone hypo without warning. Not nice to see someone just keel over without warning.

Rob.

As a parting shot.... I know someone who works with wiring who is colour blind. Scary. Thankfully all of the wires he deals with are white with numbers on them.

[carrera]

The original idea behind the three colours used in plug wiring was for the benefit of colour blind people.