Pre-Race Routine: How to Prepare for Your Best Performance Yet

Let’s be real, if you want to go fast, you’ve got to be focused. Hyper focused.

And for me, that focus starts waaay before I jump in the kart.

It starts with a proper pre-race routine.

Honestly, I’ve seen a big improvement in my performance ever since I started working on my routine.

It’s not something fixed in stone, it keeps evolving, and I’m always tweaking it, but having something consistent really helps me get in the zone.

What My Pre-Race Routine Looks Like

Here’s what I usually like to do:

• I throw on my noise-cancelling headphones with some motivational music. It helps me block everything out and lock right in.
• Then I do some light warm-up, nothing crazy, just some movement to wake the body up.
• A bit of core work like planks to warm up the core stability.
• Some reaction light drills or quick reaction games with tennis balls, they’re great for sharpening up the brain.

All of this just gets me feeling more alert and ready.

Even stuff like cleaning my kart and my helmet is part of the routine. Yep. Especially my visor. I always want it to be perfect.

It might sound silly, but I genuinely think it helps mentally. It puts me in control.

It’s kinda like like saying, “I’m dialed in, I’ve got this.”

Getting on the Grid

Once I’m on the grid, I’ll do a bit of visualization. I picture the perfect lap. I imagine hitting every apex, nailing each brake point, smooth exits… everything. It’s not super long, maybe 30 seconds, but it works.

Then I do a few deep breaths. Just to calm myself down. To center myself.

It’s simple, but it’s powerful. That’s when I’m really switched on.

Because look, we’re not just talking about raw speed or talent.

Karting is a mental game. You’ve got to train your brain to switch into focus mode, on demand.

That’s what a pre-race routine does.

You Don’t Need to Be a Pro

And by the way, just so that you know, this isn’t just for pro-level racing.

Even if you’re just doing rental karting with your friends, having a little routine helps.

It sets the tone. It tells your brain, “Okay, it’s go time.”

It doesn’t have to be fancy.

Just something that helps you block out the noise and get into the right headspace.

Final Thoughts

If you’re serious about progressing and becoming the fastest version of yourself, I 100% recommend creating your own pre-race routine.

Start small. Test what works. And keep adjusting it as you go.

Because when the lights go out, and the race begins… the drivers who are mentally locked in? They’re usually the ones who end up at the front.

Just Senndit

– Alessio Lorandi