In motorsports, the best drivers aren’t necessarily the most naturally talented—they’re the ones who master the process of continuous improvement.
Every time you get behind the wheel, your goal should be to refine your fundamentals, build repeatability, and make deliberate progress toward extracting more performance. The key? Knowing exactly what to work on.
During a recent Blayze member call, we tackled a deceptively simple but incredibly deep question:
"What should I be working on?"
The answer depends on where you are in your development, but the path to improvement is always built on fundamentals. In this guide, I’ll break down the core areas that separate high-level drivers from those who plateau, based on decades of real-world coaching experience.
Chapter 1: The Foundation—Why Fundamentals Matter More Than Anything
Consistency is Non-Negotiable
Before making any setup changes, before chasing faster lap times, before worrying about racecraft—ask yourself one thing:
👉 Can I repeat my lap times within 0.3 to 0.5 seconds, session after session?
If the answer is no, then you’re guessing when you make changes.
The "Setup Myth"—It's Probably You, Not the Car
Many drivers blame the car when they hit a plateau. The reality? Inconsistent drivers are their own worst variable.
Ken’s coaching philosophy is clear:
“If you aren’t precise and repeatable, you won’t be able to measure what’s working and what’s not. You’ll never get faster.”
Symptoms of Inconsistency:
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Erratic Braking Points – Are you braking within a 3-5 foot window every lap, or does it vary?
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Apex Variability – Are you hitting the apex the same every lap? Missing an apex by just a few feet changes your corner exit dramatically.
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Entry Speed Fluctuations – Is your turn-in speed consistent, or are you alternating between too fast and too slow?
How to Fix It:
✅ Data Review: Look at throttle traces, brake pressure, and speed curves. If they’re all over the place, focus on discipline.
✅ Controlled Laps: Run 10-15 laps at 90% effort, aiming for exact repeatability.
✅ Forget the Stopwatch: Chase precision, not raw pace. Speed follows execution.
Chapter 2: Diagnosing the Problem—Driver or Setup?
Stop Guessing—Ask the Right Questions
Most drivers struggle to identify whether their issues stem from their technique or the car. The best way to diagnose the issue is to ask the right questions:
1️⃣ Am I mentally focused on controlling the car or hitting my marks?
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If you’re spending energy reacting to instability, it could be setup-related.
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If you’re just making execution mistakes, it’s a driver issue.
2️⃣ How far off am I from an ideal pace?
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If you’re multiple seconds off a competitive lap time, it's probably driver technique.
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If you’re within a few tenths but struggling, the car might need adjusting.
3️⃣ Is my issue consistent lap after lap?
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If your problem varies lap to lap, it’s likely a driver problem.
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If the issue is repeatable, setup may be a factor.
Example: Oversteer in Mid-Ohio’s Carousel
A driver reports excessive oversteer at corner exit. Is it the car?
✅ Step 1: Look at Data – Checking throttle traces reveals that their brake release is too abrupt, shifting too much weight off the rear tires.
✅ Step 2: Driver Fix First – They work on a progressive brake release, and suddenly, the oversteer issue is reduced by 80%.
✅ Step 3: Now Check Setup – Only if the problem persists should they consider car balance adjustments.
🔹 Lesson: Always fix the driver first before touching the car.
Chapter 3: Vision and Vehicle Placement—The Core of Speed
Your Eyes Dictate Your Speed
The single biggest reason drivers plateau is poor vision. It’s easy to get hyper-focused on a single corner, your hands, or what’s happening immediately in front of you. But the best drivers train their vision like a muscle.
“Vision is the most underrated skill in motorsports. If you don’t use your vision properly you’ll be left behind. ” – Ken Hill
The Correct Way to Use Vision
To be fast, you must always be looking one step ahead:
- Braking: You should already be looking at your turn-in point.
- Turn-In: Your focus should be on the apex, not what’s immediately in front of you.
- Apex: Your eyes should already be focused on your track-out point.
What Happens When Vision is Off?
- Late Inputs → Sloppy Execution – If you only look at where you are, you’re constantly reacting rather than planning.
- Missed Apexes – When drivers miss apexes, it’s usually not their hands—it’s their eyes.
- Abrupt Corrections – If you're frequently making last-second inputs, your eyes are behind.
Training Your Vision
✅ Peripheral Awareness Drills
- Instead of staring directly at the apex for too long, practice using your peripheral vision to sense it while focusing forward.
- A great drill is to try running laps without looking at apexes at all. Instead, focus on turn in points and exit markers.
✅ Use the “Reference Point Inventory” Exercise
- Go to a familiar track and list every single visual reference you use for braking, turn-in, and exits.
- The best drivers can describe their visual cues down to a precise location on the track. There isn’t a single inch on track, professionals don't have a plan for.
✅ Sim Racing Vision Training
- In iRacing or Assetto Corsa, practice driving with a slightly zoomed-in FOV (Field of View) to force your eyes to scan ahead.
- The best sim racers use vision scanning techniques that mimic real-world high-performance driving.
🔹 Key Takeaway: Your hands will always follow your eyes. Improve vision, and everything else improves.
Chapter 4: Braking—The Skill That Separates Amateurs from Pros
Brake Release: The #1 Skill That Defines Elite Drivers
Most amateur drivers think they need to brake later to go faster. But braking later isn’t the key—braking adjustability is.
“The way you release the brake sets up everything else. Nail the release, and everything gets easier.” – Ken Hill
The Purpose of Braking
Braking isn’t just about slowing down—it’s about managing weight transfer.
The Three Key Functions of Braking:
1️⃣ Speed Control – Slowing down before a corner.
2️⃣ Weight Transfer for Rotation – Balancing the car for turn-in.
3️⃣ Entry Speed Management – Maintaining grip to carry maximum speed.
Common Braking Mistakes & Fixes
🚨 Mistake #1: Braking Too Hard, Too Late
❌ What Happens: The car stays loaded on the front tires too long, causing either front-end washout (understeer) or abrupt weight shift (snap oversteer).
✅ Fix: Focus on braking earlier but smoother, so the transition into corner entry is progressive, not a “lunge.”
🚨 Mistake #2: Abrupt Brake Release
❌ What Happens: The moment the brakes are let go, the weight snaps back to the rear too quickly, making the car feel unstable.
✅ Fix: Lengthen your brake release. Instead of dumping brake pressure all at once, taper it off progressively.
🚨 Mistake #3: Over-Slowing the Car
❌ What Happens: Many drivers release the brakes too early, leaving speed on the table.
✅ Fix: Hold just enough brake pressure longer into the corner to maintain front-end grip.
Drills to Improve Braking
✅ The “Long Brake Release” Drill
- Choose one corner where you usually “dump” the brakes quickly.
- Try lengthening your release phase over several laps, using telemetry to track the effect.
- The goal is to bleed off brake pressure smoothly rather than “snapping” off.
✅ Trail Braking Progression Drill
- Start by braking in a straight line, then gradually extend braking past turn-in over multiple laps.
- The goal is to control rotation with brake pressure, not steering angle.
🔹 Key Takeaway: Braking isn’t just about stopping—it’s the tool that sets up every phase of the corner.
Chapter 5: The Mental Game—What Separates the Best
How to Think Like a Champion
The best drivers are just as strong mentally as they are physically. They approach driving as a skill-based discipline—not as a pursuit of pure speed.
“The best drivers don’t chase lap times—they chase execution.” – Ken Hill
Common Mental Pitfalls in Amateur Drivers
🚨 Pitfall #1: Chasing Lap Times Instead of Execution
❌ What Happens: Constantly checking the stopwatch distracts from the process of improving execution.
✅ Fix: Forget lap times. Focus on executing each corner perfectly, and speed will follow.
🚨 Pitfall #2: Changing Too Many Things at Once
❌ What Happens: Adjusting multiple things (braking, turning, setup) makes it impossible to pinpoint improvements.
✅ Fix: Change only one variable at a time. Adjust just one braking point, one turn-in marker, or one setup element per session.
🚨 Pitfall #3: Being Afraid to Push the Limit
❌ What Happens: Many drivers plateau because they never drive at the edge of grip long enough to learn.
✅ Fix: Spend part of your session deliberately pushing beyond the limit to discover where it truly is.
How to Develop a Winning Mindset
✅ Always Be Curious
- Ask “why” after every session. What worked? What didn’t? What changed?
✅ Focus on Execution Over Speed
- Measure yourself by how well you hit your marks, not by your lap time.
✅ Break Down Every Session Like a Pro
- After each session, write down:
- Three things you did well.
- Two things that need improvement.
- One key focus for the next session.
🔹 Key Takeaway: The best drivers think differently. They don’t chase speed—they chase execution and refinement.
Final Thoughts—Your Next Steps
Racing is a long-term process. The fastest way to improve isn’t chasing speed—it’s mastering execution step by step.
Your Next Steps:
✔ Build Consistency First.
✔ Train Your Vision to Always Stay Ahead.
✔ Master Brake Release—It’s the Key to Everything.
✔ Think Like a Pro—Refine, Don’t Just Drive.
🔹 Want a personalized coaching session? Work 1-on-1 with a Blayze coach to analyze your laps and unlock the next level of performance. Click here to start.
