San Diego race car driver Dakota Dickerson announced today that he would be tested by the experts in Motorsport Physiology research at Michigan State University during this upcoming F1 race weekend at COTA. In the past few years, MSU’s Department of Kinesiology has been doing ongoing research on specific drivers to determine the physiological stressors in race car drivers.
Dr. David Ferguson will be recording data from Dickerson during all his on-track sessions. Racing is among Ferguson's research specialties; another study on advancing athletic excellence and diabetes research in race car drivers was featured in the 2016-17 New Educator magazine.
"We have a physiological monitor that we put on the driver” explained Ferguson. “It’s basically a fancy heart-rate monitor that will record and measure Dakota’s heart and breathing rates, and his skin and core temperatures in order to examine how the body reacts differently during sessions. All this combined tells us if the drivers need to change their training, focus more on hydration, or if other precautionary measures need to be taken to improve their driving. We’re really happy to be testing Dakota this weekend. He’s talented, focused and has become a very popular race car driver.”
MSU has been conducting these tests on drivers from other well-known Series such as Formula 1, IndyCar and Pirelli World Challenge.
“I am really excited to be working with Professor Ferguson and MSU at the F4 finale in Austin, TX this weekend, commented Dickerson. Their research and data collected will allow me to better focus my training and elevate our program to the next level."
Dickerson, who is driving for DC Autosport, had a great run throughout the season and clinched the F4 U.S. Championship in New Jersey a few weeks ago. The San Diego native looks forward to welcoming his many supporters at COTA and scoring more podiums and victories during the F1 weekend.
Be sure to join us for the F4 U.S. races this weekend at COTA. Race times are as follows:
Saturday, October 20: Race 1 – 5:30 PM
Sunday, October 21: Race 2 – 10:15 AM
Dakota Dickerson’s race fans can follow him on his website dakotadickersonracing.com, Instagram (@dickersonracing), Facebook (Dakota Dickerson Racing) and on Twitter (@DickersonRacing).
Photo: Joseph Biersbach
