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Originally Posted by Scott Perry
The biggest tool I use for going faster in autocross racing is mental preparation. I used to go out on course with the usual catch phrases like "look ahead" and "slower is faster" in my head, and then just end up reacting to the course instead of being able to really attack it. This season, I've adopted a methodology for visualizing the course, in order to better attack the track and improve my times.
To better build a mental map of the course, I attempt to break it down into 5 or 6 distinct sections. I associate each section with a feature of the course, or notable way point or transition. For example, I might use a long straightaway as a marker that separates two sections, or a particularly hard turn combination would qualify as a section by itself. The benefit of breaking the course into sections is that it relieves the burden of trying to remember each and every turn, each and every braking point, and each and every apex cone. It's much easier to think of the course in terms of "a long straight, into the esses, into a short straight, into a hairpin", etc.
Breaking the course into sections begins with a review of the course map, followed by a careful walkthru before the event. When walking I try to pick out the transitions between the sections, and build a mental map of the course, associating each section with its defining elements.
Before each run, I sit in the driver's seat and attempt to visualize a run through the course. I imagine driving through each section, attempting to string them all together. After my initial run, I try to visualize which sections I made errors in during my previous run. For example, I might remember that I turned in too early in one section, or that I got on the brake a little too late in another. By visualizing my errors, and by having a clear mental image of the course, on my next run I am able to more easily remember just how hard I can push the car in each section, and eliminate my gross mistakes.
The end result is that by my final run, I have been able to eliminate all of my big mistakes, and I have the confidence of knowing the layout of the course. I know I where really push the car, and how to string each section into a fast, clean run!
Mental preparation has been the biggest thing that has lowered my autocross times. Being heads up and confident lowers my times far more than any modification to my car.
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