Gofishracing

I've seen lines driven with a marker across the windshield to use as a tool to keep eyes up but I have not seen this before ..opinions ?

Matt Romanowski

Interesting. Not what I would do.

Vision training is much more involved than just where you look. I've been working with a Phd/OD on this and the equipment is only a small part of the task.

Veloce Raptor

I wouldn't do it either. Scanning is much more important than tunnel vision

David993S

I believe that's the tow hook/loop mounted on the cowl in front of the windshield.

LuigiVampa

Is that a WW2 fighter plane gunsight or a race car?

fatbillybob

Caption reads..."I'll teach them to respect blue flags"

breljohn

Since we are on the topic of Vision...
Would you guys mind sharing how you work on improving vision?
Example of drills or technique maybe.

Frank 993 C4S

Look at one of Peter Krause and Ross Bentley's virtual track walks. He points out vision cues/points that I had never been aware of previously. You will then find most of them in iRacing to practice.

breljohn

Will do!
Thank you

Veloce Raptor

Yup. When I coach and or lead track walks, I always point out suggestions for where to look to help raise vision

Edit: one of the common themes of where to look in a corner is seeing how early you can see the far end of track out curbing

Matt Romanowski

That's a pretty loaded question and you'll get a ton of different answers. I've worked with some coaches that only give track level references and others who try to not use the asphalt.

Very detailed maps are a great way to build your own personal library of references for tracks. I've done it a number of ways with different drivers and it's unique to how they approach driving, their style, vision, etc.

TXE36

I don't see the point of the "gun sight" as it goes against see everything focus on nothing - it seems like that would teach fixation which is exactly wrong.

In my experience with myself and my students, a simple exercise is to get your vision as far out as possible. If I've got a safe student who listens, but is struggling with smoothness, I will switch to a mode of instruction where I stop giving any driving commands. I explain that I'm just going to tell them where to look and will only issue a driving command if I'm uncomfortable. So instead of gas, brake, turn to apex, track out, gas it is "look at next track in" stretching their vision as far as possible, next is "look at next apex", as soon as possible, "look at track out" as soon as possible. It works fantastic - I don't think I've ever had to shout a corrective driving command. The first couple of laps, the student is usually pretty incredulous about how far up I want them to look. It also helps in blind spots, then the command is something like "stretch your vision over the hill - see track out as soon as you can - you know it is there". The car goes were the eyes go, and this method works well with a student that generally understands smooth inputs, but their eyes are too low.

One they can do that well, I switch the game around and instruct the student to tell me where they are looking and I will provide coaching on that feedback. This is also a good time to teach flag awareness as it is easy to have them tell you flag station status - again as soon as they can see it. Once there eyes are sufficiently up one can work on scanning and expanding their situational awareness.

About the only thing that gunsight is useful for is if you are trying to shoot down the car in front of you. IMHO, totally the wrong thing.

-Mike

ProCoach

^^This^^

ProCoach

And other coaches that use track level, eye level and above references...

Good point on the very detailed track maps. Every driver can pick and choose the things that "stick" when reviewing or creating that information.

Yes, every driver assimilates/looks for/keys off of different visual landmarks and even "sight pictures."

Coochas

It also keeps the line organized when you're reeling in a competitor.