First things first when ever you’re about to get into a race car, no matter what class, you must always be calm. Due to the amount of information you need to process very quickly, panic will physically wear you out and indeed lower lap times. So if your goal is to get a fast lap you should start by checking these 3 things off of your list:

1. – Nutrition

This entails much more than a good meal before a race. Keep in mind that eating food, is very different to eating the right food. When embarking on this adrenaline pumping event, you’re body is consuming so much energy and it’s going to look at your menu for the day to get it! Load up on carbs and super-hydrate yourself (Gatorade, Pedialyte, etc.) your body will thank you later.

2. – Focus

If you realize how many things you need to memorize on every lap, you know it’s going to take some focus. Don’t worry about your next text message from your friend, or who’s call you missed, keep your eyes on that apex and watch those braking zones! Many people “know” how to race, very few can execute.

3. – Take Risks!

As the great Mario Andretti said “If everything feels under control, you just aren’t going fast enough” and guess what, he was right. When you feel those tires begging to find more grip and that engine pushing to throw the car into a drift, you just might be close to finding the limits. Push hard and commit, it’s crazy what you can find when you look.