HYDRATION KEY FOR

A HYDRATION expert dubbed “Dr He-Man” has been hired to shadow Dave Reynolds at Mount Panorama this year with his team hoping science can stop another Bathurst breakdown.

Still haunted by the 135th lap physical failure that cost him his second Bathurst crown, Reynolds has revealed that an internationally renowned “biological theory of ionisation” specialist had been recruited to his team to ensure he survives Sunday’s 161-lap race.

Reynolds will submit himself to a series of urine and saliva tests to ensure he can power his way to 1000km glory after adrenal failure saw him suffer Bathurst’s ultimate heartbreak.

The inventor of a hydration test used by WNBA teams, including the Seattle Storm, Newcastle-based hydration expert Phillip Rankin will be a permanent fixture in the Erebus Motorsport garage during the Bathurst weekend.

“We used him in Adelaide earlier this year and he is awesome. He will monitor everything that goes in and comes out to ensure nothing happens again,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds will undergo several urine and salvia tests to ensure he is optimally hydrated.

“We call them battery tests,’’ Reynold said.

“He takes our urine and measures all our salts, carbs and gives us a hydration rating. I am confident he will have me in perfect shape.’’

Reynolds estimated losing three litres of fluids every hour during last year’s race contributed to the severe body cramping which forced him to retire with just 26 laps to go.

“It was called adrenal dysfunction,’’ Reynolds said.

“And hydration was a big issue. My adrenal system just stopped and my body used all its energy up. That led to cramping. I was sweating and cramping, I just couldn’t continue.’’

Reynolds has also cut back on his pre-race commitments after estimating 37 hours of promotional work in the three days leading up to the race contributed to his physical exhaustion.

Reynolds said he still had nightmares about the moment he was forced to surrender a Bathurst win.

“Is there a fear of failing again?’’ he said.

“Yes. It didn’t look good on my behalf. Nobody wants to fail 900km into a 1000km race. I have thought about it all year and it is something I never want to go through again.

“But I know it was all circumstantial. It was about the lead-up. Through the whole lead-up I was completely buggered. By the time I got to the track I was stuffed and it just got worse and worse each time I got in the car.”

Reynolds will avoid drinking