Vision narrowing under "spirited" driving, Normal or not? Options

[Tom Perso]

Hey Guys,

I am a pretty inexperienced auto-x/track driver. In my life, I've done a total of 2 auto-x events and done some ride-arounds at the track.

I don't normally drive "spirited" on the street, but I've found a nice backroads on my way home from work. Quite a few twisties, fall colors on the trees, and sunlight peeking thru. It's quite a relaxing time after a hard day of work.

I'm pretty comfortable with the curves, and most of them are fairly open so I can see around the curve.

So, with that, I've put the BMW 325IS thru it's paces today. (The 914 is on jackstands, sans engine).

So, I've noticed that when I'm really winding the car out and hanging near the limits, my vision narrows - much like that in a "fight or flight" situation. I noticed this when I was at my auto-x's which was very disconcerning when you're trying to look ahead for the next turn, keep an eye on the gauges, and have a general "feel" of where you are on the course, when you have tunnel vision.

Is this a normal occurance, or is this just me and my inexperience? Anything that I can do?

I would assume that having a more open field of view while hanging it out thru a corner would be most benificial - especially in a track situation. Watching the line you're on, checking the car in front of you, and the ones in front of them.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Tom

[brant]

This is EXACTLY the single biggest skill to learn on the race track.

Its kind of a stepping stone to reaching the next level in driver skill.

heck, I'm still at that step half the time.
its a constant battle to learn and train your body to raise your field of vision on the race track.

my personal opinion... it seperates the men from the boys, or the fast drivers from the so-so drivers.

I constantly (every day I'm on a track) work on this issue.
by consciously raising my chin 2 inches and reminding my brain to ignore that apex point and look at the corner ahead. You can still hit the apex out of your peripherial, without even looking at it.

you can consciously tell you are faster on the lap charts when you practice this.

brant