Instructor’s Insight: Walking the Course Effectively

While walking, you should have a clear view. If a crowd is blocking your view wait for them to clear. Try to imagine your view from the cockpit, your eyes will likely be at least a foot or two lower when sitting in your car. Identifying visual references like parking space lines, pavement seams or cones to guide you. These references ensure consistency and reduce last-second reactions.

Focus on identifying key cones and planning your route, rather than focusing on the next cone. Concentrate on decision points like braking zones, turn-in cones, apexes, and corner exits. Ask, “What cone am I driving toward next?” Sometimes this means looking across course at exit cones while passing entry cones.

Determine important cones by considering cause and effect. A cone affecting your car’s position for the next element is crucial. Pay attention to “late apex or square corners” that lead to long acceleration zones. For Autocross there is a lot of time to gain or lose on these turns. A slower entry for an earlier full throttle is better than a fast entry that compromises the exit.

If you have time for multiple walks don’t just walk the racing line. Step outside corners, review previous elements, and visualize the car’s path through multiple obstacles. Aim for a smooth sequence rather than treating each cone as separate. The fastest drivers plan for the next three cones, not just the next one.

When you are done with your course walks you should be able to visualize what the whole lap will look like in your mind. In simple practice this should be practiced in the driver’s seat before leaving your grid spot for your first run. At larger national events you may see people spinning and “steering” in the finish shoot to make sure they have it memorized before heading to grid.