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 anyway?

Prioritise Consistency

You probably dream of instantly being 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 to 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 - largely 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:

​

​https://www.yourdatadriven.com/the-complete-beginners-guide-to-motorsports-data-analysis/#free-lessons​

Click on the link above for access to this free 7 minute lesson 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 done the course, but I'd still recommend giving this lesson a re-watch. I rarely see this approach 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 after a break - like your driving, your data skills need refreshing too!

This is a super-simple and effective method to analyse driver consistency. Now all you have to do is drive! 😊

Hope it helps you and good luck staying ahead of the curve.

Samir

PS... Master Your Tyres update #wow 👇

If you've been getting Ahead of the Curve from me for a while you'll know I spent the last year building a course on tyre tuning. I am proud to say that the Pioneers Edition launched in January and the response, honestly, was overwhelming for me. Students with a wide range of tyre experience signed up from literally all four corners of the planet:

Despite a few teething problems with my IT, this amazing cohort of students is working their way through the lessons and workshops, asking great questions in the private community, and sharing their insights and experiences:

For those of you who have followed the journey of my course creation, I thought you'd be interested in this quick update. I am thrilled to see the global community of tyre masters we are building, and I can't wait to see what our students achieve with their new knowledge and tools.

The success of this cohort has encouraged me to consider running the course again later in the year (more soon) but I guess first we should see how the Pioneers do... Will they go faster?! #suretheywill #overtoyouguys #fun

p.p.s. Webinar Alert - Ross Bentley

In case you missed it, my friend Ross Bentley is running a great two-part masterclass on Cornering. It starts next week and promises to be a super insightful couple of sessions. If you are like me and can't attend live, you can watch the recordings in your own time if you register before the event. Get more information and sign-up here: https://speedsecrets.com/cornering-masterclass/​

​