Getting Prepared

Everyone's got the potential to KICK UP A GEAR.
But why do you perform well one day and not so well the next? The experts say it’s all in how you prepare.¹ Our Pros know that preparation is the key to performing consistently well and gives them a winning edge.

The Art of Preparation

You can split preparation into 2 areas: short-term prep (pre-event routines and rituals) and long-term (training).¹

Pre-event Preparation
This is when you psych yourself up the day before, the morning of, and just before the event. These little routines and rituals help you handle performance anxiety, provide focus for your upcoming tasks, keep you positive, and provide you with the energy you need to drive your performance.

Training
Experts say to focus on your strengths in the pre-event prep and focus on improving your weaknesses during your training. It’s also important to not over train in order to avoid burnout. Part of this training comes by visualising positive outcomes for the event and spending time around people who support your efforts (like Airwaves Pros!).

Our Pros Talk Preparation

I am preparing 24/7. I use visualisation to help my mind and body to get used to new tracks quickly. Mentally riding the course helps me improve lines on tracks I already know. I also visualise my competitors all the time, mainly when I am away from the track. I try to imagine my rivals in front of me when I’m cycling or running. It gives me the motivation to push on and go further or faster.

Getting in the Zone:
Racing is my life and I have dedicated every second to it so I find it easy to switch straight into race mode as soon as I enter the paddock. As long as I know I’ve worked hard training that week, I will be prepared for the weekend.

- James Ellison

I normally go out for the first session and just ride it. After that, I go over laps and different scenarios in my head. I picture all of my reference points, visualise different lines, and exits. I prepare mentally by making use of the practice and qualifying sessions with the competition to see the lines they take, understand how they’re riding. This helps on race day to anticipate how you can attack them and how they’ll react. It can really give you an advantage.

Getting in the Zone:
It’s all about keeping stress to a minimum, knowing you’ve done all you can to prepare, and then focusing purely on the session ahead.

- Leon Camier

Preparation in any sport is vital to the final performance and I would argue that in motorsport it is even more important. Normally I mentally drive the stage ahead of beginning a particular section; I know them all pretty well now, as this is my fourth year in WRC. Also, with all the recce’s we do, I should know every turn. This is all part of the preparation and without it I would feel under prepared. It is important for us to get the right level of detail in the pace notes - it’s true that the driver and co-driver relationship is vital to setting fast times.

Getting in the Zone:
It’s all about absorbing the right amount of information that is relevant and then reacting to the information from my eyes and from my ears!

- Matt Wilson

Over the winter, obviously, I tried to get as much training in as possible. This was to prepare me for the tough season ahead and helps when I have to hit the gym throughout the year. It's important to get this done in the off season so I can top it up throughout the year. I am quite fit generally and play lots of different sports. I am also a keen cyclist, much like my fellow Airwaves Pro James Ellison, who rides for Airwaves Yamaha in the British Superbike Championship.

Getting in the Zone:
The preparation and the decisions made ahead of racing help me to get in the zone. Instinct plays a huge part out on the track.

- Jonny Adam

Physical fitness for touring car drivers is crucial as during a race our hearts beat up to 170 beats per minute. Fitness is also key for concentration. I have to be mentally very sharp as at high speed there are a lot of things to take in and process! I treat every race as a half marathon so I have no alcohol a week before, I eat plenty of pasta on the Thursday and Friday before and I make sure I am well hydrated. Preparation for us makes a lot of difference.

Getting in the Zone:
In the off season I tend to go abroad to training camps. This year I went to Majorca doing a week's cycling with other drivers and sportsmen I know!

- Rob Collard

Airwaves Ducati Mental Lap

A major part of any superbike racer’s preparation involves being able to mentally visualise the laps of the circuits that they visit.

¹ ‘Psyching Up For Greatness: Powerful Pre-Event Routines Help You Perform To Your Potential’; Bill Cole, MS, MA; Procoach Systems; MentalGameCoach.com