Author: Andrew Price
So we have learnt how to sit in a car. The next fundamental to focus on is vision.
The importance of vision is highlighted from the phenomenon of target fixation. Watching racing drivers follow each other off the race track or the person that's managed to crash into the sole tree or sign post with nothing else around.
This is purely from them becoming fixated on a point of focus. Vision has an incredibly strong effect over your inputs and subsequent results.
Basics
Our eyes are incredibly powerful tools. Used incorrectly you'll be inconsistent, scared and potentially dangerous.
Used correctly you'll be able to effectively pick out braking zones, turn in points, the apex and picking when to get back on the gas to drive the car out.
So what do most people do wrong? I am included in this when I got back into the car after a break my vision was too close in front of the car. What is the effect? My braking markers were inconsistent, missed apexes, second and triple guessing when to get on the accelerator. Overall it cost lap time.
The peripheral vision of our eyes works better under the centreline of vision as opposed to above. To highlight this next time you hop in your car project your vision forward and take notice of how much information you take in above then below.
Projecting your vision forward will help slow everything down. It will allow you more time to assess what is coming. It'll feel like the car is travelling drastically slower.
So where do you look and when do you look further up the road again.
Braking Zone
You've exited the previous corner you're on the throttle and your vision should be up picking out your next braking marker. (Can not overstate the importance of having braking markers which we will cover in another article)
As you approach the braking marker your vision should already be moving towards the apex using your peripheral vision to pick out your braking marker and turn in point. With everything slowed down with your new found ability to look up
Corner Entry
You've picked out the perfect braking marker you're transitioning to the corner entry phase with your vision already at the apex your body/racing driver sixth sense will know when to start releasing the brake and adding in steering.
You've started turning in now your vision needs to be moving up towards the exit, like the braking zone use your peripheral vision to keep an eye on the apex but your focus should be up at the exit, working out when you can transition from the brake and start feeding in throttle.
Apex to Exit
All the hard work is done you're back on throttle looking down the road to start the whole process again.
Start assessing where other drivers are around you, checking the dashboard for vehicle condition and resetting your focus.
Final Thoughts
Try to be aware of your vision early on you'll need to consciously think about getting it up and where you will need to be looking. The more you practice it soon it will become natural.
Every time you graduate in to a faster car you'll need to remember to do it again.
Getting your vision right will better allow you to process what is happening around you and what you are doing with the car.