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[YDD] What should you focus on after a long break?
Hello Reader,
Many of you will soon be venturing back on track (if you haven't already) for the first time in a long time. But what should you be focusing on? And how should you be judging your race driving performance?
You dream of instantly being straight back out onto the ultimate pace. Perfectly guiding your car through each and every turn. Effortlessly delivering lap record-equalling lap times.
It's easy to imagine but you may find the reality doesn't immediately match your expectations - and that can be frustrating.
In my experience, when finding your feet again after a long break, you are best to prioritise your consistency over outright pace. It takes a strong mental discipline hold yourself back but I've found it helps you acclimatise to being back behind the wheel faster - and certainly safer.
Analysing Your Consistency
But what is "consistency" anyway?
The obvious way to assess your consistency is to look at your lap times. But be careful. Lap times are not always reliable because you can have so many gains or losses around a lap.
Instead, if you run basic datalogger you can try this simple method to more robustly assess your consistency:
Click on the link above for access to this 7 minute video from my beginners data course. It explains how you can use the speed trace to help you quickly find the corners you need to be focusing on.
Many of you reading this already have the course, but I'd still recommend giving it a re-watch. I rarely see this done in the paddock and it is such an easy way to give yourself good insights quickly. It is also an easy way to get you back using your data system again - like your driving, your data skills need refreshing too!
A super-simple and effective method to analyse driver consistency.
Hope it helps you!
Samir
PS... 3 extras this week 👇
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Look out for the next few shows. We are heading off into a more engineering-led theme - including a show with a senior engineer from Mercedes... and no... I didn't go there! #finalrace 😊
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Samir
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Motorsports gets so complicated. “Ahead of the Curve” explains it in plain English. Get race-proven insights, insider secrets and practical tutorials. Plus, be first in line for podcasts, courses, spreadsheets and more.
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