OK my racing fans, how do you do it. When coming into a tight left hand turn do you turn in looking through your windshield or look through your side window (door). I seem to get caught between the two and often feel disrupted by the w/s pillar. How do you do it?
thanks kenny

 

It happens. Start looking thru windshield for apex during braking, then turn in so you will hit apex and at the same time shift focus to exit curb (usually thru side window first then for a split second you will shift from side window back to windshield again as you get around the turn). If you know your car and turn in right you don't have to see apex after your initial turn in, just the exit to be on your way asap and you will rotate so fast the A-pillar "interruption" will be very short and doesn't matter that much.

 

I've never had this issue before -- but now I'm sure I'll notice it .

I think part of the answer is also related to how far out you're looking (i.e. what you're focused on). As I understand it, one should try to look further ahead of where you're going, rather than focusing on something closer on the track. I think that helps you look past your A-pillar or any other close in objects (e.g. mirror, track timer, camera, fuzzy dice ).

 

Stop looking at where you are and start looking at where you want to go (ahead). You should be focused on the next turn or the text two turns ahead, not the one you are currently driving through.

Look ahead to gain a new perspective. A pillar...what A pillar...is there one?

 

I recently raced on Catalunya GP Circuit, turn 10 is like this, every lap.
I put in 8 hours of seat time in that race and there's no other method than first use side window at end of brake zone, then as you get through the turn swap back to look through front window, the "interruption" is short but it's there.

If you haven't been to a track where this occurs you just haven't experienced it yet. It's unusual but it does happen. Seating position is also a factor, the further back you sit for weight distribution or your height, the more often it happens since fov through front windshield gets narrower.

 

Mr White,

Your last post got me thinking, and after reading it I realized I do, do this, but I also look straight through the A-pillar and don't even notice it (I guess), hmmm.

Check out the attached image...kind of funny..."is there a A-pillar in my direct line of sight" I guess so!

Too funny

I have a lot of images where I'm coming into a turn and it looks like my head is hanging out the window!!!

 

Here is another sample:

 

I certainly am less knowledgeable than many on this forum, but professional driver Sam Shalala once put a mark on my windshield and said that my line of sight should be there....which had me, as others note. looking up field by quite a bit.

 

Exactly, look ahead. In the image above I'm on the left hand entry to the Cork Screw (T8) at Laguna Seca and looking down the hill and just past inside exit of T8A...so down and across the track, getting ready for T9 as soon as I drop down T8.

 

I honestly don't know if the pillar gets in the way or not, I've learned not to pay it any attention.

 

I've been told to sit forward more so you can comfortable turn the wheel without shuffling your hands on the steering. It tends to be a little closer to the steering wheel than my normal street driving position. The track is not the place to be sitting way back or practically lying down (like some kids like to do) .

 

VID997 thumbs up. And sweet pics!! Super clean car and great photos.

Aerodude when I do seat fitting I always ask the team to mount the seat low, close to the cardanshaft tunnel and to put a long extender on the steering wheel hub so I can have the wheel close but still keep the weight rearwards. Well, not for 911s but for cars with engine front that have light rear ends.

heavychevy I never really paid attention either although there's a tiny bit of this in the first Nurburgring chicance (24H config) but 240 some laps in Barcelona made this very obvious. So to OP as for everyone else in the business, one just has to "look around" it.