How to get my ''full'' mojo back?

SPOHN

I need some advice and hopefully some other members experiences with wreaks/ spinouts. Whether on the track or what not. In case you don't know or remember my thread on my story here's a link.

My Story (Good Pics)

It's been three years since this happen. And I haven't been back in a sports car or any car with some sort of decent power/ handling to keep my game sharp. They say once you fall down get back up and go right back at it. Well I didn't have that opportunity.

So now that I'm back and trying to refine my skills back to what they were. I'm doing good and somewhat feel I still have it. I do feel I'm a great driver. Above average. That's just my confindence speaking. Even though I'm getting there pretty quickly. I can't get it out of my head that I'm going to just run off the road due to my accident that happen. Just paranoid through every turn I make. And the thing is that day was just bad conditions mostly. Cold weather and pea gravel. Yes I shouldn't of been pushing it hard that day but you get carried away.

What do you guys think it takes. Time? Practice? What do you suggest? Besides smart comments. I'd also like to hear from guys that may of had similier experiences.

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Highway

If you're able to get some track time somewhere locally, I would think that would be the best bet. Slowly work up your confidence in a safe and controlled area where you're able to work up your speed and car control. Hopefully, if you slide off, there would be no car damage and you could continue on.

Hope there's something close to you where you could do something like that.

b1adesofcha0s

I just read your story, and I'm glad to hear that you were OK and were able to walk away from the crash. The only thing I could think of is to maybe try having a little fun on a remote road, where even if you do go off the road, you wont hit or fall off anything. Maybe like a country road or something where there is just like grass on the sides of the road. That way you can slowly start building up your confidence in the turns and not have to worry about anything crazy to happen if you happen to go off. Make sure there aren't any other cars around. Good luck, hope you get your full mojo back soon

Edit: Track would be good too.

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m4a1mustang

Well, regardless of how good you are you should never "test your skills" so to speak on the street. I think if you can get some track time in and feel comfortable driving at about 80% of your ability on the street, you'll feel much better about yourself.

I go for spirited drives on the street but I never push myself to the point where I know it's likely that I'm going to have to make some corrective control inputs to keep the car on it's desired path. Save that for the track, where you've got a controlled environment and can afford to spin if you have to... and if you do hit something chances are it's going to be a soft barrier or a glancing wall... not a tree, light pole, innocent bystander, etc.

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SPOHN

I defiantly have a controlled area. That's where I went today. It's a small private air strip with two sweeping turns. One tight, one long.
I agree. Just know guys I'm not pushing it in areas with traffic. And I will defiantly only go 80% on spirted driving trips in the mountains. Another reason next week I'm ordering better brakes and LSD that I didn't have last time.

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ProfessorDave

Spohn, only exposure to the situation that creates the anxiety will work, especially if it is repeated with short intervals in between the trials.

Since you have a safe closed course to try, I'd say schedule several runs a day for as many days as you can, starting slow and building up to pushing the limits.

Good luck and keep us posted

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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

SPOHN

That's what I keep thinking. Just hope it will leave my head. Then again maybe it gave me more respect than fear.

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spearfish25

Dude, crazy accident. But that was entirely avoidable.

For a while I thought I was becoming an experienced driver. However, I learned that being experienced and gaining experience are two entirely different things. Over the past two driving seasons, I've been gaining experience which is the key to becoming an accomplished, seasoned driver. I'm far from that goal though.

I don't know your track day experience, racing history, autocross time, etc but if you don't have much of any of those, you are a novice. Period. Donuts in the parking lot and fish tailing around corners is not the seat time you need to become a great driver. It's THINKING you're a great driver to early that gets you in accidents like you posted above. Being humble goes a long way with this type of learning.

Once you've got the right mental attitude (ie you're a sponge with a lot more to absorb), then seat time during track days and autocross is the way to gain skills. I've found that a mix of solo driving and instructor ride alongs is best for me. Every instructor is different and some are better than others. But I'd guarantee that every instructor you go out with has at least one unique, helpful bit of information to add to your repertoire.

Learning to drive the limit is not for the streets. You can learn and practice skills on the street, but they're not driving 10/10ths. Street practice can include proper steering wheel grip and steering technique, heel-toe down shifting, rolling into and out of the brake and accelerator...you don't have to go fast or be reckless to practice these skills. Practicing this every day will make you better on track.

When you go on track, it's not a free for all of driving at the limit either. You should start with VDC on which gives additional safety. Focus on driving consistently and smoothly as this will make you fast. Focus on one corner and improve on it...brake deeper before turn in, carry more speed at turn in and through the turn, get on the accelerator a bit sooner each time. This progressiveness makes you improve. Once you have that corner, move to the next, and work your way around the track.

Most importantly, choose the corners and track sections where you'll begin to push the limit WISELY. Driving 10/10ths through a corner with an armco 10 feet from the track edges is asking for sadness. Pick a corner with a wide runoff, smooth surroundings and nothing to hit. This is your learning corner.

I keep a log of things to remember and tidbits I've learned so I can refresh my memory often. I find it extremely helpful.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

Jordo!

Provided nothing bad happens.

It's important to gradually increase your exposure to the anxiety eliciting stimulus (or in this case, context) -- start out on a track and get comfortable there.

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Enjoy it. Destroy it.

kenchan

Maybe you should get a fwd car?

Red__Zed

Track time.

ProfessorDave

I'm with you on that, Jordo. Although there is lots of evidence that flooding (sudden and complete exposure) works just as well or better than gradual.

The nice thing about Spohn's arrangement is he can immediately try again if he spins out. No time for anxiety to really take hold and produce avoidance that way.

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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

SPOHN

Thanks for the great info. There's a couple things you mention that I haven't been taking into consideration. I defiantly relate to what your saying. I have some good amount of time in. It's just been awhile. I come from a dad who has over a decade of track time driving open wheel cars and has defiantly taught me alot of things.

I just feel there is a mental fear that I'm having a hard time letting go and that slows me down. I know this is funny, but it's kind of like the movie Days of Thunder. Something that I have to find a way to overcome. Just the fear of letting myself down again. Even if it was just a basic spin out on a track without a incident.

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SPOHN

The anxiety is the biggest thing.
That would be the day.

That about made me sick hearing that.

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spearfish25

I hear ya. I had a spin on the track that freaked me out. It still lingers in my mind during track days. But that spin was far less costly (no damage or issues whatsoever) than doing the same thing on a city street.

The safest place to start getting your confidence back is probably autoX. Aside from killing some cones, you're not going to damage anything. The track is probably second. The first few track sessions (and perhaps TRACK DAYS), just take it easy. Reacquaint yourself with the sensations. Then pick the safe parts of the track and start working through your fears and apprehensions. It wouldn't be so much fun if there wasn't a bit a thrill involved! Just take calculated risks.

I like to keep a sticker on my steering wheel that says "this is not a race". That way I don't start pushing to pass slower cars in passing zones or getting upset they're slowing me down in corners. It also keeps me slower in the 'dangerous' corners.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z