Q: “One area that’s been a challenge for me is being able to remember the reference points for multiple corners on the track. I can pick out points on one or two corners, but as I add more then I start forgetting them. I know that I can spend more time on the simulator practicing this skill, but I wanted to see if you had any techniques for improving your memory for this.

“In the book Peak, it talked about how folks were able to increase their capacity for memorizing strings of numbers by applying certain mnemonics or other techniques. The first person figured out this all on their own. But then it said that if you can learn a technique from someone who is already good at memorizing strings of numbers, then that’ll get you going faster. Which fits into their Deliberate Practice model of getting specific feedback on technique from a pro.

“So other than just driving more and trying to brute force memorize…. What are techniques to more effectively store and recall roughly the five reference points for a 10-20 corner track?”

A: This is a really great question!

The first suggestion is to use a track map and make notes on it of the key references you want to memorize. The physical act of writing (or drawing) something down has been proven to help whatever it is you want to remember stick in your mind better than simply thinking about, or even talking about, it. However, I’d also recommend “talking someone around the track.” By that I mean give a narrative of what you’re doing, and what references you’re using to know when to do what you’re doing, and tell that to a friend, partner, whoever (the barista at Starbucks!).

If you know before you go on track that you’re going to write notes on a track map, and tell someone what it’s like to drive the track, you’re priming your brain. You’re telling your brain what’s important, and it will help make things stick. Will it be perfect? Probably not, at least not the first few times. But with more and more practice, this will help.

Something else — that you might already be doing — is to make sure you have some short abbreviations for the types of things you want to remember. Instead of trying to remember “Begin braking at the 4 marker going into Turn 1,” tell yourself, “BoB at 4 — T1.” Every driver has their own language for the various references and reminders, so take the time to write them down, almost as if you’re creating a secret code. And again, the more you do this, the easier it gets.