How to emphasize the "look through"

[s4one]

I tracked my car again this weekend and I keep finding myself not looking through the turn, "look farther/look where you want to go" idea. I'm not looking far enough, I need something to remind me every time I get into the car.

It is ironic since I came from a motorcycle background and it was second nature when I tracked on my motorcycle, the bike goes where you look idea.. Especially dragging knee on a double apex turn.

What are some tactics that you guys use to remind yourself to look through the turn and set up for the next turn?

Thanks

[///M Ryder]

I actually found this to be a bonus when I started tracking. I too came from the 2 wheel game and it is definitely second nature to look ahead and around you. It will take some practice but eventually you start to look ahead and notice things you didn't before. You can start by looking for the flag stations before you're online with them..........Phil

[Estoril Blue]

Are you working with an Instructor?

[s4one]

I have a mediocre amount of track experience under my belt with and without instructors but I'm not consistent I guess.

I do want to note that I just got profi seats installed so I am sitting much lower than before so my view level is changed, overall setup is not too low according to my mechanic, i'm 6ft tall.

I assume this has something to do with it since I am new to the lower seating position and the track seat as well, that might be a factor.

I guess this is something I just need to say to myself before I hope in the car for a session.

[arter]

As you come up to a turn start looking for the trackout cone / point before you start to make the turn. That you make you look through the apex and make you consider if it is a increasing radius turn, a decreasing radius turn, or linked to another turn.

[PrimeBMW]

I think for most people it is difficult to look ahead if you have not tracked much or have had a long time off. The key for me is to have a mental image of the corner and better yet the entire track. Almost like you don't even have to look at the corner you are in because you already know it......you can look ahead. So I think it helps to be familiar with your car, your driving and the track. If you are unsure of any of those you can be a little short sighted. Just get some seat time under you belt and it will become easier.
On another note I know some drivers will tape "Look Ahead" on their dash.

[FTS]

One time I put masking tape (or racers tape, 2" wide) on the windshield at a line that I did not want my student to look below, he was forced to look above the tape line, worked like a charm.

[s4one]

Originally Posted by PrimeBMW

I think for most people it is difficult to look ahead if you have not tracked much or have had a long time off. The key for me is to have a mental image of the corner and better yet the entire track. Almost like you don't even have to look at the corner you are in because you already know it......you can look ahead. So I think it helps to be familiar with your car, your driving and the track. If you are unsure of any of those you can be a little short sighted. Just get some seat time under you belt and it will become easier.
On another note I know some drivers will tape "Look Ahead" on their dash.

That's a good idea! I am going to try that tape the "look ahead" over my mph gauge.

[s4one]

Originally Posted by FTS

One time I put masking tape (or racers tape, 2" wide) on the windshield at a line that I did not want my student to look below, he was forced to look above the tape line, worked like a charm.

That is pretty interesting, what area of the window are you taping? I think since I installed the profi seat my vision is lower overall so I need to adjust to that.

[FTS]

Originally Posted by s4one

That is pretty interesting, what area of the window are you taping? I think since I installed the profi seat my vision is lower overall so I need to adjust to that.

Just below the direct view line, so that the driver could not see just ahead of the hood line. More than blocking the view, it was a comstant reminder to look further ahead, but not too low that the driver could actually still see 20 ft ahead. In short about 5" above the bottom of the windshield.

[s4one]

Originally Posted by FTS

Just below the direct view line, so that the driver could not see just ahead of the hood line. More than blocking the view, it was a comstant reminder to look further ahead, but not too low that the driver could actually still see 20 ft ahead. In short about 5" above the bottom of the windshield.

Thanks for the tip, I will give that a try.

[jphughan]

The tape idea seems to work well. Another great test of whether you're looking ahead is when you're right behind another car, since the natural inclination is to watch him/her. If you can condition yourself so that every time you come up on another car you think to yourself, "Look THROUGH that car," that should help.

Otherwise, this is just one of those things that you eventually get better at naturally and then becomes second nature. You've got the right idea actively telling yourself mentally to keep looking ahead. I've done 10 track weekends over about 2 years and still don't look as far ahead as consistently as I'd like, especially in the areas off track where a car might be trying to get back on. So whenever I catch myself out like that, I'll start mentally repeating my track awareness mantra to myself for a while: "Look ahead, check corner workers, check mirrors." Do that and eventually you'll do it naturally -- and good instructors will help with this too since they can see where you're looking and will call you out when appropriate.

[M3 Esq]

Like others have said it will come with seat time. Try practicing looking ahead on the street. It will start to become second nature after a while and you will do it without having to think about it. Another trick is holding your chin up. That might force you to look ahead a bit more.

[FogCityM3]

Love the tape idea..thx for the tip

[s4one]

Just curious, how long is the tape you are referring to? 5x2" 5" from the bottom of the window or are you talking about a longer strip of almost across the window?

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by s4one

Just curious, how long is the tape you are referring to? 5x2" 5" from the bottom of the window or are you talking about a longer strip of almost across the window?

I wouldn't make it very thick or span much of the window because more tape means more view obstruction. You should only need a thin, narrow piece right in front of you, or even just a little tape square, just enough so you see it and are thus reminded to keep your eyes up. You can mentally extend the tape across the windshield to determine whether your eyes are high enough when you're looking over to the right.

If you do feel the need to go all the way across, I'd make it no thicker than a quarter width of regular painter's tape, which would probably require scissors to accomplish.

[will.c]

Originally Posted by jphughan

...when you're right behind another car, since the natural inclination is to watch him/her...

Yep, if you're tailing someone, you shouldn't look (or focus) at the car in front of you. Almost imagine there's no car... yet pay attention to it just using "peripheral vision." I don't know if this makes sense.

I had an oh-sh** moment when I was tailing right behind someone at a 95-100 mph flat out corner/kink before the long straight, and I realized I turned in at the same time as the car in front b/c I was staring at it too much, which was too early for me. So I had to lift mid-corner, and you guys can guess what happened.

[bigjae1976]

I think the key to looking ahead is to have the mind thinking ahead. I wouldn't necessarily emphasizing a head turn but rather lift your head up. It also comes with seat time.

I also hate cones...I usually have a much harder time being consistent with cones. I try not to look at them but can't help it at times when its an easy reference point.

[Sebringjetta]

Originally Posted by FTS

One time I put masking tape (or racers tape, 2" wide) on the windshield at a line that I did not want my student to look below, he was forced to look above the tape line, worked like a charm.

i like this!!!!!!!!!!!

[1MOREMOD]

this is something i struggle with as well. my vision is often too close to where im at.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

this is something i struggle with as well. my vision is often too close to where im at.

A lot of times it is a matter of slowing down just a bit.

All too often, the fastest novices become the slowest and most dangerous advanced drivers. They are worried about the speed and not working on developing their skills. Their lap times reflect relatively fast times but its the car that is helping them out.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

A lot of times it is a matter of slowing down just a bit.

All too often, the fastest novices become the slowest and most dangerous advanced drivers. They are worried about the speed and not working on developing their skills. Their lap times reflect relatively fast times but its the car that is helping them out.

i have focused a lot on being fast recently and not so much on good. this season i intend to have a plan for things to work on each session out like ive done in the past. doesnt make me slow just sharpens the tool in the drivers seat.