Doctor of Speed

Vincenzo Tota, M.D., Team Doctor, ADT Champion Audi
By Kate Shaw
Photos © Margot Orenchuk

LA SARTHE, France (June 11, 2004) – Dr. Vincenzo Tota isn’t only a doctor of medicine – he is also a doctor of speed. That is, he was a racing driver before he became a doctor! He specialized in off-road racing; he’s done the Paris-Dakar (and would like to do it again), and in 1987 he won the Camel Trophy. These days he races powerboats. So it’s no use a driver saying, “You don’t understand” to him. He most certainly does. Dr. Tota is in fact the team doctor for BMW, but since they are not racing here, he has been contracted to work for Champion Audi. He’s been a doctor for 15 years and medicine is definitely his passion; there’s no chance he’ll give up medicine for a career as a racer.

Dr. Tota, with an associate, is here to take care of anything that might go wrong in the course of a race weekend. The team physiotherapist, Max, is in charge of the osteo and physiotherapy. Dr. Tota’s general duties include supervising drinks, massages and therapy, and any small illnesses that might be handicapping the team; for example, there is a problem of tonsillitis at the moment. In addition, he watches carefully for signs of back problems, very common in a labour-intensive job like racing, and anyone who may be getting dangerously overtired.

An additional responsibility in France is the certification of the team as drug free. The French anti-doping laws are among the strictest in the world, and the doctor’s declaration is one of the most important documents the team will file. Should a team member require a prescription that may give a result of concern on a drug test, Dr. Tota must file a declaration with the medical centre that this drug was prescribed for a certain condition.

During the race, he will be watching for signs of dehydration, people who are not eating, and of course of muscle pain, in mechanicz and pit crew members as well as in the drivers. Because of the tremendous heat this week, it will be mandatory that a driver receive an IV upon completing two stints in succession, containing sugar and mineral salts. Fortunately the Champion Audi is an open car, and the drivers’ risk of dehydration is much less than it will be in the closed cars. The temperature inside the Corvette, for example, may reach as high as 70 degrees Celsius. Drivers in closed cars risk burns to their feet, as the exhaust pipe runs under the throttle pedal. Other dangers are from carbon fibre dust in the face, compressed discs in the back and neck, and blisters.

Should the worst happen, and the No. 2 car suffers an accident, Dr. Tota’s first job will be to check the driver over and then supervise transport to the excellent medical facility on the grounds. Dr. Tota is especially impressed with the large tub for treating massive burns that they have on the grounds here. He hurries right to the medical centre so he can meet the driver there. “It’s important that he see my face,” he explained, “and know that there is someone friendly who has his best interest in mind, and they know that if I make a decision on sending them to the University Hospital or another facility, they can trust me to do the right thing.”

To the question of “What do you like best about Le Mans?” he had a quick reply.

“I like to win Le Mans,” he said. “There’s no race like it in the world, and winning here is a goal that all racers can aspire to with pride.”