Psychological angles for racers.

[gfm]

In the 35 odd years that I’ve enjoyed race driving, it’s only in the last 10 or so that with increased managerial responsibilities, I realised the importance of the good mental preparation for the driver. Rather like Race Driver Tuition, it appears that if you ‘concede’ that you might gain speed by listening to an ‘authority’, you are in some way showing a ‘weakness’. It’s pretty unfashionable for any proud ‘racing driver’ to seek help or advice.

Conversely though, I’ve found recently that if driver’s do take that one step and say to themselves – ‘I don’t know this circuit (or whatever), I do need to get some help from someone who does’, the very fact that they are opening their mind to the possibility that they could improve their performance is a huge step forward.

Sports Psychology is probably too expensive for regular weekend racers to contemplate, but if you are serious about winning a championship say almost at any level, I can see quite some room for improvement in the appreciation of the right approach for most racers. Certainly, if you want to get to a ‘professional’ level in motorsport, it’s something you need to consider quite seriously nowadays.

I’d be quite keen to hear from any of the Ten Tenths racing lads if they can spare the time, and see whether this is ever something they consider for themselves. I find myself fascinated by it.

[ss_collins]

I really would like to do some work on it as I struggle to hold concentration on a long stint and make mistakes, this shows the most in kerting when I go quick and spind and then again and agian. in rallying I attack for a while and then lose concentration and go off.

[PenelopePitstop]

I found Yoga not only helped my concentration & kept me calm, but it also had the advantage of freeking some of the other drivers out.

[Chris Y]

I might start taking up the Hakka (or however you spell it - y'know, the dance that the NZ rugby team do).

Actually, that would probably end up frightening the spectators

[eclectic]

Keep calm and think when racing.....

Many years ago, handicap racing with the VSCC as I approached the old Woodcote on my last lap I was running second. Looking in my mirrors I saw that I was about to be overwhelmed by the pack catching me fast. What to do?

THINK!

I lifted off, left my braking late, didn't touch the brake pedal (so no lights) but did a huge handbrake turn into the bend with lots of tyre smoke.

My pursuers thought that I had lost it and backed off to avoid contact .... I held my position to the chequered flag.

So, moral of the tale, races in slow cars can be saved by thinking (or kidology)?

I seem to remember that Stirling Moss allegedly used to have a manual isolating switch to his brakelights so he could seem to be braking much later than his following drivers, they would try to emulate him and spin off. That was probably banned even then! But what psychology!

[gfm]

Bang on ecletic! A few times when I've known I won't get to the flag before the quicker car behind, I've braked longer and harder in the last corner so as to force the guy behind to completely back off and spoil his run. It does work. I can think of once in an RSR at Most, and another at the last Hockenheim chicane.
High speed physical chess.

[av8rirl]

Brake testing??? Illegal

[ss_collins]

I have a switch under the dash that turns off the brake lights, I used it on road rallies. I also have a switch to turn on the reverse lights.

[Lee Yue Yang]

You might find the book:"Inner Speed Secrets" to be very useful.I read it and learnt alot.

[Warwick]

I think it to depend on what class you race in,in both Superkarts and Sidecars most of the teams talk to each other trade info etc,just make it all the more satisfying when you still beat them,some of the other classes you'd be lucky to get the time of day