How do you concentrate while racing

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iMikeTheKing

iMikeTheKing

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iMikeTheKing
Out of all the races I have done, at some point I lose focus. It can a short 20 lap race at Lime Rock in an MX-5 or a 2.4 hour race in a Daytona Prototype, I lose concentration. Does this happen to any of you guys? How do you concentrate?
 
iMikeTheKing
Out of all the races I have done, at some point I lose focus. It can a short 20 lap race at Lime Rock in an MX-5 or a 2.4 hour race in a Daytona Prototype, I lose concentration. Does this happen to any of you guys? How do you concentrate?
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I can get locked into a zone until the spotter starts talking, then for some reason i can never get it back. I was really good at that with GT5 because theres nothing to distract me, but ill have to learn to deal with it on this game. But yeah its tough, for me sometimes ill get a song stuck in my head and ill play parts of a song at different corners, really helps with the consistency and timing.
 
iMikeTheKing
Out of all the races I have done, at some point I lose focus. It can a short 20 lap race at Lime Rock in an MX-5 or a 2.4 hour race in a Daytona Prototype, I lose concentration. Does this happen to any of you guys? How do you concentrate?
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Off course it does! Some people manage it better than others. For me is all a matter of managing the gaps and staying as close to the optimal deltas as possible. It helps me immensly when I'm 20-30 laps in by myself with the next car 8 seconds away!
 
I find just concentrating on my lines, and not letting my mind drift to other things works best, I also tend to not check my mirror to much, ( I glance, but just briefly) or how close someone is behind me, as then I'll start driving faster and making mistakes or taking sloppy lines. So I just keep my cool, stay consistent, and stay focused on the task at hand :)
 
The harder I try to be fast or if I really notice I'm gaining on someone I make mistakes by overdriving. Honestly I tend to let my mind wander a little in races so I stay relaxed and smoother overall which equal faster times.

It's weird how it works for me but I don't get all death grip on the wheel if I don't really focus too hard. The more I focus I end up following the car infront of me bad lines and everything.
 
Orange juice, generally. Oh, is that not what we were talking about?

One can only focus on a particular task for so long before mental fatigue sets in. Let's say that's about 30-45 minutes. After that amount of time, the brain needs to reset itself to keep going. It is during this short amount of time when you make that fatal mistake which costs you the race.

So the trick is, concentrate less. So when you're at a place that doesn't require you to be locked in to the screen, give yourself a rest. relax your eyes, look around the room, and completely disregard the race to rest your brain/reset. As you're about to start racing again, quickly refocus. You'll feel much more fresh and prepared to go another stint mentally. 👍
 
iMikeTheKing
Out of all the races I have done, at some point I lose focus. It can a short 20 lap race at Lime Rock in an MX-5 or a 2.4 hour race in a Daytona Prototype, I lose concentration. Does this happen to any of you guys? How do you concentrate?
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I feel ya. I have the same thing. I can do the perfect race but i have always have atleast one moment were my focus drops.
 
I generally have no problem staying focused during a race, however hotlapping is a different story. I usually nod off after 5 or 6 laps. :D
 
OLDSKOOLACURA
I talk to myself while racing
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👍

I sometimes do that, it usually goes "ok you slipped up in that corner, just relax... (glance in mirror) crap here he comes. you're good just dont over drive the car.... come on.... (spin) :ouch:"

Haha, but really if its any comparison it took me a good year on GT5 to reach any kind of consistency with my driving. Learning the tracks/cars and practice, practice, practice goes a long way.
 
Kevin01SH
👍

I sometimes do that, it usually goes "ok you slipped up in that corner, just relax... (glance in mirror) crap here he comes. you're good just dont over drive the car.... come on.... (spin) :ouch:.
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Haha yep that sounds like me, but there are a lot more crap crap crap crap in there lol
 
Kevin01SH
👍

I sometimes do that, it usually goes "ok you slipped up in that corner, just relax... (glance in mirror) crap here he comes. you're good just dont over drive the car.... come on.... (spin) :ouch:"
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I do that sometimes but mine has a lot more of I did right and wrong so far in the race and what will I be doing later. I had one race where I zoned out in the race and came back 5 laps later. I have no idea how I did 5 laps without knowing what I did.
 
It sometimes seems like I just get into a mode where I am really concentrated but I still sometimes check my phone and stuff, texting and driving rules don't apply to iRacing...right lol
 
iMikeTheKing
I do that sometimes but mine has a lot more of I did right and wrong so far in the race and what will I be doing later. I had one race where I zoned out in the race and came back 5 laps later. I have no idea how I did 5 laps without knowing what I did.
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I've done that too. Almost like you are day dreaming.
 
iMikeTheKing
Out of all the races I have done, at some point I lose focus. It can a short 20 lap race at Lime Rock in an MX-5 or a 2.4 hour race in a Daytona Prototype, I lose concentration. Does this happen to any of you guys? How do you concentrate?
Click to expand...

hahaha side-effect of the GT5 so-called races of 3 laps!?

I had the same issue when I started iRacing. I think it was because in I had no experience in frequently running of longer races.

During the race I try to focus on hitting my marks and making the corners. If there is traffic I drive a bit more carefully to avoid contact.

Does anyone do a pre-race warmup (or ritual)? I have read about many sport figures doing this to clear their mind and allow them to focus on the sporting event. I do not run at all in the pre-race warmup. If I need to practice I do so a a test. I go through a pre-race warmup of my own which is making sure all my gear is set. I check my setup, hardware (wheel, mic, etc.) during the pre-race warmup. I enter the Grid as soon as possible and check my game settings and hardware. After that I keep my mind quiet and wait for the red lights to come up. This helps clear my mind and focus on the race.
:)
 
iMikeTheKing
I do that sometimes but mine has a lot more of I did right and wrong so far in the race and what will I be doing later. I had one race where I zoned out in the race and came back 5 laps later. I have no idea how I did 5 laps without knowing what I did.
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I've done that too, it freaks me out when all of the sudden there's 5 laps to go and I cant remember what happened 5 laps ago

As for a pre-race ritual I just do 1-2 laps for warmup, check my fuel, and check where I am on the grid and mentally picture the start
 
OLDSKOOLACURA
I've done that too. Almost like you are day dreaming.
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It's actually called "driver's trance" and it's fairly well documented.

I can't concentrate much at all unless my wife and son are asleep. My son loves the game so he watches me but will also try to sit in my lap and touch buttons and stuff.
 
I have that "drivers trance" to at times. The problem is when you "wake up". I start doing mistakes that normally doesn't happen.
Its like "thinking" is the wrong thing to do. everything should happen automatic or on instinct.
 
Be in the now, focus on what your doing just now. Don't let yourself think about going out with friends, or what ever. Focus on what your doing corner by corner, lap by lap.

I use the straights to plan the next corner, do I have to go defensive because the guy behind is close enough to attack or do I take it more optimally to keep my pace up. This is my strong side. If I do not defend the corner and I get attacked, I just know it's best to let him go. Don't deviate from your plan even if it looks like you did a stupid move. Changing it will in most cases be more stupid.


Also take a look at this.. http://safeisfast.com/sections/4-mental-preparation/videos/13-focus-and-concentration#.UETpb9YdBqk


I also find myself losing focus, but then the strength is to understand your not in the now and get that focus back ASAP.
 
I very much agree whit that. What i heard in the video makes sense to me, very intresting. I know were it go's wrong for me.

I only have to make it happen. Theory is one thing...:)
 
Yes It also happens with me. now I find the solution for that I drink a chill coke before going to race and then relax my mind for 15 - 20 minutes. Then I have full focus on the end line. I know there are some thoughts which distract you from racing track but you have to control your thoughts and if you get success then you can become all time winner. I am sure it will works for you too.
 
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After the race has thinned out usually 4-5 laps and I've gapped the guy behind me I'll turn on the live timing to show my "optimal lap" (not sure what it's called) and I'll try to monitor that to maintain my consistency. I don't try to overdrive, but it gives me a reference of my speed.

Of course if you are chasing and gaining on the guy in front of you then you can enjoy the race; and those races always seem to end faster than you want them to. If you are leading it's a different story and that's when you need to concentrate to maintain your gap.

It's tough when you don't have g forces and environmental situations keeping you awake.
 
I have three younger brothers. Concentrating on homework, reading, sim racing, etc. while avoiding other distractions comes naturally to me. :lol:

I do however have a problem with zoning out mid race when I'm by myself. Interestingly, I do find that most of the time this is when I make my fastest laps.
 
Spec, you're probably looking at the "session best lap" during a race. Chasing your optimal during a race is absolutely hot lapping. :lol:
 
Eric.
Spec, you're probably looking at the "session best lap" during a race. Chasing your optimal during a race is absolutely hot lapping. :lol:
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Nah, I always hit the button twice to find the optimal. I like to set my goals high. :D
 

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