What's The Point Of Focus?

Bathurst 12 Hour, Mt Panorama. (C)

​    Unequivocally race drivers have astounding reflexes. They can react to situations instantaneously. The very best can envision scenarios before they even occur and methodically devise contingencies all within milliseconds. Whether it be through the hands, arms, feet, their backsides, or the sum thereof, they also possess an innate touch or intrinsic feel for what’s happening. They constantly adjust their points of focus. This heightened sensory awareness gels to form a potent combination in their quest to be the fastest.
    But what is their point of focus? What is commanding their attention? As they’re hurtling down the straight at breakneck speeds, do you think they’re fixated on their braking point? As they approach the apex of a corner, do they stay focussed on it until the apex is passed? Do you simply stare at your rival in front and follow their lines? Have you ever seen someone spin, only for the driver behind to spin in sympathy? Any aspiring driver who adopts these traits is destined to be at the back of the grid and is an accident waiting to happen.
    Adjusting your points of focus is paramount. Don’t be misled. A driver definitely spots their braking point when travelling down the straight by way of a landmark, bump or crack in the track surface, fence line or advertising, whatever. The point is, once that’s found, they’re looking for the apex. Once the apex is spotted, they’re looking for the corner exit. This all occurs before they reach said point. Sounds obvious right? But do you get the point? You drive to where you look. Hence why you look for the corner exit as soon as practical. But here’s the best bit. If you have a bit of a moment through the corner, like the back stepping out potentially about to cause a spin, you correct it instinctively without consciously endeavouring to do so. Why? You’re already focussed on the corner exit. You drive to where you look.
    Focussing so far ahead while constantly adjusting your points of focus, therefore driving to where you look, is something that doesn’t always come naturally. You have to train yourself to do so. If you want to drive fast, you have to resist the temptation to watch each point as you pass it. If you can do that, then maybe, just maybe, the best race drivers may not be passing you. Cheers…. 

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