How to Stay Focused in Endurance Racing
Endurance motor racing is one of the most physically and mentally demanding things you can do. You can spend hours driving around the same track - you might even be driving alone with no competitors around you.
As the race goes on, your mind can wander. This can have serious consequences. You could lose track position, you could lose time, or you could lose the race completely as a result of crashing.
Everyone knows that to be a successful racing driver, you need an intense focus on every push of the pedals and turn of the steering wheel. It’s easier said than done, though.
I’ve been endurance racing (karts) for 2 years, and in that time I’ve had my fair share of lapses in concentration that have cost me. In this week’s edition of the Margins Newsletter, I’ll share what I’ve learnt about staying focused during long races, the impact of motivation on performance, and more.
The mental demands of endurance racing
I’ve already touched on some of the demands of endurance racing, but it shouldn’t be underestimated. The physical and mental challenges can wear down even the most prepared drivers.
Motivation plays a critical role here. In those moments when your focus starts to diminish, remembering why you're racing can give you the energy to push through. Whether it's intrinsic motivation (e.g. the pursuit of personal improvement) or extrinsic motivation (e.g. the drive to win for your team), motivation becomes your anchor during mentally challenging stretches of a race. Tapping into that deeper reason helps you re-centre and re-focus when you feel yourself slipping.
Author and entrepreneur, Simon Sinek, is widely known for his books and TED talk on the importance of a strong “WHY” (i.e. motivation). Without a strong reason for doing something in the first place, your ability to focus is a ticking time bomb. It’s not a matter of “if” you lose focus, it’s “when”. I recommend that you read his books or watch his TED talk. They are primarily written for businesses, but the principles apply to motorsport.
Prepare for anything
“Anything can happen in motorsport, and it usually does.” - Murray Walker
Mental preparation before a race is just as important as physical preparation. One strategy you could try is visualisation, which involves mentally preparing for the inevitable highs and lows of endurance racing.
Picture yourself facing fatigue, distractions, or a dip in motivation, and mentally rehearse how you’ll respond. Setting specific mental goals, such as maintaining focus for each phase of the race, helps create a game plan for your mind and body.
In my pre-race routine, I focus on getting into the right headspace through visualisation and goal-setting (usually dependent on my starting position and the drivers around me). I like to remind myself of my reasons for racing and use that to fuel my motivation. In times when I am nervous or unsure about the race, I use self-talk to put me back in the right mental space. Under the visor, I say “This is what we do, Rhys.”
Talking to myself like a madman is enough to bring my focus back on the mission, whether that is going for an overtake or defending position.
How to stay focused during the race
Endurance races can feel overwhelming, especially when you're deep into the race and fatigue is setting in. One way to keep your mind engaged is to break the race into smaller, more manageable chunks.
Rather than pondering the entire race, focus on the next 10 laps, the next pit stop, or the next section of the track. This makes the task ahead feel more achievable and helps keep motivation and focus sharp.
Setting checkpoints during a race has been invaluable for me. Races are roughly 130 laps, and I have the same routine for every lap to keep myself locked in. I mentally recalibrate at these moments, reminding myself to stay focused and to assess how I feel physically and mentally. For example, racing at Clay Pigeon, my routine is:
As I pass the start/ finish line, I check the time on the Digiboard to see how long there is left of the race.
I use a small mark on the tarmac as a reference point to tackle the first corner sequence.
I look down at the Mychron for the last lap’s time.
I take the next corner.
I look down again to check my time for Sector 1.
I tackle the next few corners until I am on the start/ finish straight.
I look down to check my time for Sector 2
Repeat
Another powerful tool is active mindfulness. By focusing on something as simple as your breath, you can bring your attention back to the present moment when your mind starts to drift. I’ve often used the start/ finish straight as an opportunity to bring awareness to my breath as a way to clear my head and re-centre my focus.
Maintaining motivation is crucial in sustaining focus. Remembering your bigger goal can help you power through the most challenging parts of a race.
Managing fatigue
Fatigue can be your enemy both physically and mentally. As your body grows tired, your ability to focus and stay motivated starts to fade. Physical exhaustion can lead to lapses in concentration, and when this happens, your performance suffers.
One way to combat the inevitable fatigue is with proper nutrition. Ensure your hydration and nutrition are on point throughout the day.
Dehydration and a lack of energy can quickly sap your mental sharpness, so fueling your body properly is essential to maintaining focus. Simple things like sipping water regularly or having small, energy-boosting snacks can help keep your body and mind in sync.
Post-race reflection
Reflection after the race is a critical part of mental performance. It’s important to look back at your physical performance and how your mind was affected during the race.
Did you stay motivated throughout, or were there moments when your focus dipped? What strategies worked to keep you on track, and what could you improve for next time?
An easy way to track this could be to write down your post-race reflection or talk about it with someone to ensure that it isn’t lost on your mind. After each race, take a few minutes to write down when you felt motivated and focused and when those feelings dipped. By identifying patterns, you’ll have a clearer idea of how to mentally prepare for future races, and you’ll start to see improvement in your focus over time.
Final thoughts
Staying focused during long races is about preparation, motivation, and understanding the connection between your mind and body.
Focus is a skill that improves with practice, and motivation is a powerful driver that can keep you on track, even when the going gets tough. In your next endurance race, use these tips and see how they help you stay sharp and motivated until the last lap.
