Jack Perkins out

[JT]

Marcus Marshall to replace Jack Perkins
Release Date: 12/11/2007
JDR team owner Larry Perkins has advised that Porsche driver Marcus Marshall will replace his son Jack Perkins for the remaining two V8 races at Symmons Plains and Phillip Island this year, driving Commodore # 11.

“It’s unfortunate for Jack in that he has been recently diagnosed with Diabetes Type 1 and that has affected his track performances to some degree. It was his decision to stand aside and let Marcus have a go in Tasmania this weekend,” said Larry Perkins.

“Marcus was an obvious choice as he showed plenty of potential as an enduro codriver for us at Sandown and Bathurst this year. He fits in well with the guys and I’m sure he’ll do well.”

“It’s a big disappointment for me, but you have to face these challenges in life,” Jack Perkins said.

“If I can’t perform consistently at my best then standing down becomes the only option in such a competitive environment.

“As to what happens next year is a bit of an unknown at this stage, but plenty of advances are being made on the diabetes front so I am optimistic that I can resume racing in the near future.”

Marshall was looking forward to donning the black Jack Daniel’s race suit this weekend.

“I’m glad of the opportunity despite the unfortunate circumstances with Jack and hope to do a good job for the team.”
http://www.v8supercar.com.au/news/latestnews/newsdisplay.asp?Ind=&author=&gid=32676026

[Evman]

That's terrible news for Jack, any ailment, let alone diabetes, is unfortunate...

[WIKED]

That would be hard for him to miss the last 2 rounds. Diabetes is a terrible thing if not managed correctly but I am sure that Jack will do everything he has to to get back on track.

On the plus side, what a great chance for Marcus Marshall to show what he can do. He must be jumping up and down

[Delft Maloo]

Thats a hell of a decision and he deserves a big pat on the back for doing it.

[Mungrel]

That wouldn't have been an easy decision to make.
Poor guy, he's been very mature about it though. Hopefully we'll see him racing again soon.

Good luck to Marcus Marshall as well!

[Falcon Freak]

How can diabetes imapct a person's ability to race a car? They just need to make sure their sugar levels are correct before they get in the racecar and then away they go.

FF

[GTS LSA]

Obviously it is having an impact....... what a dumb comment..... read the article

[mickeyVX350]

How can diabetes imapct a person's ability to race a car? They just need to make sure their sugar levels are correct before they get in the racecar and then away they go.

FF

Man, you have NO IDEA do you. Depending on the person, the effects can be sight related, coldness and numbness in extremeties, poor circulation, lethargy, in some cases "feeling heat" more than "normal" people.

Diabetics are faced with blindness, amputation etc. This is a serious physical ailment where an organ isn't functioning, not a sore wrist.

Now to clear up your "just check your sugar levels and away you go"...
Diabetics are required to have a 'Basal dose' which is the base level of insulin to function normally. THEN there are doses given at regular intervals depending on the food intake of the person for the day, and the rate of insulin release. This can depend on the activity the person is doing, so if JP has enough time in a pitstop to take a finger blood sample, wait for his machine to give him his reading, calculate his insulin requirement then strip down his race suit and fireproofs and give himself a jab in the stomache or thigh.

My guess is they will get him onto an insulin pump and use the off season to calculate his requirements to get him through a race.

Oh and another issue, what does he drink during a race to replace lost electrolytes? I mean, Gatorade etc use sugar to speed up the absorption of the water and other electrolytes lost.

But of course, I am just a Holden fan eh?

[WIKED]

Very true. My Dad died 12 months ago from complications caused from Diabetes and before that he had issues with his eyes where he couldn't see at all at night and not that well during the day etc. His sugar levels were in the 'norm' every day but that means shit in reality.

[Covers]

I think that you will find that it will be to do with keeping sugar levels constant. If someone goes too "low" then they start acting different because there is not enough sugar in their system and then they can pass out and go into a coma which as a race driver would probably not be the best.
The other extremity is that they go to "high" which for most people means that you need to drink like a fish cause you pee a whole lot more than normal, which also isnt good as dehydration aint a good thing.

I think like mickey said that they will hook him up to a pump and do a few trial runs in the off season and work out whats best. There are a few elite athletes that have type I diabetes like the full back for manly and NSW Brett Stewart i think his name is

[2001 ITR]

How can diabetes imapct a person's ability to race a car? FF
Geeze you sound like the scrutineers at race meeting questioning why I have all the gear in my glovebox. "This is a sprint day, not a diabetes day" was the dumbest comment I've heard.

Heat, cold and stress (both physical and mental) can vastly affect your levels as well. 60 degrees around Adelaide would be a hell of a test. CAMS makes me do a reasonable medical review every year for just an L2S licence, they get more picky with an L3 (competition) license. Way more than Vicroads require for a road license (which is as it should be).

Symptoms of low sugar sometimes vary and one of the problems is that your brain requires blood glucose to function properly. You get some weird thoughts, behaviour and lack of co-ordination when your sugar is low - think of it as being drunk. You can loose conciousness from low BSL but a Coma seems to be thankfully rare. Passing out from high blood sugars would take a lot of effort (weeks?) as it is such a PITA to live with high blood sugars.

There are guy with T1 diabetes competing in club level racing (L2 & L3) but I don't know of any at an elite level competing - that said Gary Hall (Yank Olympic Swimmer) and Halle Berry (Hot Babe) are both T1. And a few Aussie rules players have it as well.

One thing in Jacks favour is that there is a honeymoon period (few months?) before the pancreas (produces insulin) shuts down which makes it easier to adjust to the disease. Also If I was going to get it I'd rather get it today with all the advances (testing, insulin pumps, artificial insulins for 24 hour base loads and quick "in and out" insulins to take peak loads rather than the old pig/cow insulins that had overlapping patterns that could catch you out) than 20 years ago.

And you can be really screwed physically (weight loss, lethargy, dehydration, sleep loss and extreme exhaustion) for a few months before you are diagnosed which wouldn't have helped his form as a V8 Supercar driver in any way.

[6.2L.Club]

Bugger, wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. Met him at Barbagallo this year in between races, bought a V8 supercar rim off of the JD team and Jack made his way out from having a rest to sign it and take a photo, bloody nice fella, wish him all the best in the future, hopefully he overcomes it and comes back next year.

[toey]

ill agree with that ^^^ jack is a really nice guy. i met him for the first time at the bathurst international motor festival this year. we stood around for over half an hour talking shit cause he had nothing to do.
its a pitty he is on the sidelines for a while as i think him and shane price have a very bright future in the v8s, another season or two and i think they will be up the pointy end reguarly. these guys are the future stars for holden just as todd and rick kelly and garth tander have become.
lets all hope the off season is kind to jack and we can see him on the grid for the start of next season