>"What do you *think* about when on course?"
>
>Do you focus on:
>
>(a) the course: anticipating upcoming sections, evaluating options, any
>surprises
This is a very important part - you can't go fast until you know where
you're going! However, all this analysis should be done before your run,
not during! Anticipating upcoming sections should come naturally - you
should know exactly where you need to go. Options should be evaluated
between runs. Try early apexing turn 3 on one run, then try a late apex on
another, and compare how it worked. As for surprises, there shouldn't be
any, except for a possible red flag. In that case, you simply stop, get a
rerun, and everything up to that point was extra practice. :)
>(b) the car: how it's handling, shifting, tire/engine/brake performance
That's something I try to feel rather than consiously think about. If
you're calculating weight transfer figures, you're going too slow. It
should all be instinct - you feel that the back's feeling a little loose and
correct it automatically. This, of course, takes time and practice to
learn. There should be no question that your tire/engine/brake performance
is adequate, unless you find your handling is a bit off. After the run you
can add or bleed air from the tires.
>(c) the driver: skill/technique, concentration, following a line,
>correcting mistakes
This is what the logical part of my mind is doing - executing the "flight
plan" I created while walking the course and from experience on any previous
runs. Though correcting mistakes is more intuitive for me, since that's
tied into how the car feels.
>(e) none of the above...a more intuitive approach
Intuition is definitely part of it. The more practice you get, the more of
the job you can leave to your intuition, freeing up your rational,
calculating mind to following your flight plan.
>(f) how cool/fast your car must look :}
This shouldn't enter your mind during your runs, but let's face it, after a
perfectly controlled four wheel drift, or even after a dramatic spin, the
thought passes by. :)
>(g) how it feels to be beating *(fill in the blank)* today ;~)
That's usually on my mind in between runs, but definitely not during. I'm
just out there to drive it as fast as I can.
>(h) Other?
As Jeff said, blanking your mind can help. It varies from driver to driver.
When the car in front of me starts its run and I pull up to the start, I
find it useful to shut my eyes and clear my mind for a few seconds to center
and ground myself. That puts me into a more relaxed state of mind, and
better able to handle the car when I take my run. I can't keep my mind
completely clear as Jeff does - his brain works differently than mine. All
this advice is based on how I personally operate. Your brain also works
differently than mine (at least I hope it does!) so some things may work,
some may not.
- Justin
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