At 09:52 AM 6/10/99 -0400, mitchell wrote:
>Thanks for the posts and discussions re: Mari's question.
>
>As a returning/newbie autox-er it might help me to hear:
>
>"What do you *think* about when on course?"
>
>Do you focus on:
Focus/concentrate on the task at hand which is to drive the correct course
on your version of the correct line as quickly and precisely as possible.
When you are still new to the sport, the car, or various other aspects of
the total package there will be a lot of stuff which will intrude into your
thoughts.
As you get "seat time" in a particular car, more and more will become
routine and will not enter your concious thoughts. This will then allow you
to focus on the most critical stuff.
At least for me, I also need to focus on "data collection" of a limited
number of key issues such as car balance, approximate engine revs, was I
really near the limit or over it, etc. Usually I know before a run what
"data" I need to "collect".
It really helps after a run to have a good, honest, objective basis for
analyzing both YOUR performance and the CAR's performance. i.e. don't
change the car if the cause was "you", unless the "car" "made you do it". I
can guarantee that when the top drivers go faster throughout the course of
an event, it usually isn't because they tweaked the car other than possible
very fine tuning. They analyzed their run and figured out where they could
go faster or eliminate mistakes. For fine tuning to be useful, however, you
FIRST have to be at the limit for at least one end of the car and be
driving a good line, etc.
On "the next run" focus on a limited number of goals, such as a better line
and entry onto a particular straight. When you are successful, then instead
of "congratulating yourself, think about what the extra speed will do to
the following braking point (actually, you should have decided
approximately what this would do when you picked the goal).
Don't even think about how "stupid" you are for a mistake while on a run
(or even later). Learn from it and put it behind you! Emotion is for after
the finish line AFTER you slow to a SAFE speed!
Dick Rasmussen
CM 85
85 Van Diemen RF-85 Formula Ford
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