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Lessons From The Cockpit I’ve been at this sport for a few years now. Over this time I have learned quite a bit about driving and set-up. However, I would still have to classify myself as a mid-packer—usually in the top ten, but seldom cracking the top three. A recent outing to the new Waynesfield Motorsports Park provided some valuable insight as to how I might improve my on-track performance. If you believe the self-help gurus, if one person suffers from something, it is likely that many others do also. With that said, I thought I might put my thoughts to paper—even if it doesn’t help others, maybe it will strengthen my commitment to work on improving. While I often focus on set-up or my skills as a driver, seldom do I give much thought to how my attitude and mental state affect my on-track performance. The opportunity to run two classes this past weekend, provided me some insight on a mental block that I am almost sure has affected not only my individual performances but also my growth as a driver. Although it might not be a block that hampers most drivers, I thought it might be helpful to someone. If nothing else committing it to paper might help me be more aware of the way attitude is affecting my game.
Setting the Stage
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I caught back up to the two cars in front of me and was in a position to pass them both when the guy in front of me spun. We made slight contact that sent us both to the tail of the field. I was forced to drive a bunch of different places over the next few laps to make my way back to where I had been before the spin. Although I probably finished the race in the same position that I would have if I had just run the conservative line that I had in the 600cc feature, I climbed from the car feeling as if I had learned more than I have in the past several seasons of racing. Most of all, I had more fun than I’ve had in a long time.
What’s the take? It’s all about fun—It’s what I tell myself before I go out on the track each time, but I think it took on new meaning this time. For me the fun was in seeing just how well I could finish. I think what I learned is that the real fun is not in obtaining the position but in getting there. I realized there was a lot more fun in scrapping for my 12th place finish than running a conservative race to get my 7th place finish. The other thing to think about is at this level it’s a hobby. The way you finish has no bearing on your ability to put food on the table. You learn from your mistakes—I know it’s a trite, over-used phrase, but there really is some truth to it. As I stated earlier I learned more through the mistakes I made in the second race of the evening than I have learned collectively in all the races from the past couple seasons. I know one of the newer guys that we run with has come along as a driver quite quickly. Now that I think about it, he has gone out unafraid to make mistakes. Although he made quite a few to begin with, he quickly started to learn the limits of the car and how to not make the same mistakes over and over again—it’s quickly made him a better driver. However, understand I am not condoning reckless or careless driving. You still need to make your head. Just don’t be afraid to give things a try, even if it means losing a position. Can Attitude Make a DifferenceWill my new awareness pay dividends on the track. I am certain that the potential is there. This is one of the things that only time can prove out. The key will be how well I am to internalize what has been discussed above. Old habits are hard to break. I plan on keeping a copy of this story in my gear bag for the rest of this season. Hopefully I will glance at it as I get ready so that I will be more conscience of my attitude as I strap into the car.
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