Is there a more important racing mantra than "slow in, fast out?"

TL/DR
Is there a mantra or pearl of racing wisdom that has either opened your eyes or made a bigger difference for your racing than the classic one above?

Background/Utter Guff
I'm finding my feet with sim racing and in some ways feel my progress is a little like that of AMS2, which has become the sim that I'm using to learn the basics. Somewhat in the belief that if the cars are as tricky to drive as some suggest it may prove a great place to learn.

I've just driven several laps at Imola in the 911 GTR3 in the TT mode, something I rarely do as I'm well aware I'm well down the pecking order, and found it to be a great mode to use to push myself in terms of learning the track. Using some telemetry I'm able to see where I'm losing time and where I'm gaining it, I also nabbed one of @steelreserv 's set-ups (thanks as always, another great setup for the community) to give myself a decent chance but the thing that appears to be making the most difference in bringing my times down is following the mantra in the title.

I'm kind of shocked at just how much difference it appears to be making, I've gone from page 19 with a 1:44.980 to page 8 (I think) with a 1:42.620. The telemetry is telling me I'm still lifting off in turns 6,11 and 13, missing the apex on turn 4 and not tracking out wide enough on the exit of turn 11 so I still need to work on my "slow in, fast out" but it really does need to be banged into the old noggin as it appears to be so true....

Is there a mantra or pearl of racing wisdom that has either opened your eyes or made a bigger difference for your racing than the classic one above?

 

No mantra - because this is not about meditation.
But a quite useable advice from the F1 legend Jackie Stewart when he was asked about the most important thing he has learned to get fast (and consistent) laptimes.

Never floor the throttle TOO EARLY exiting a corner.
- but wait until you are able to keep the pedal down without having to ease off again.

ByTheWay: This is not a quotation but the essence of his advice.

 

I have only watched rally on TV.
But to the contrary of most track based motorsports I consider it way to dangerous.
I mean there is mostly no place for errors - like Oh man how has that tree got into our cabin? And has anybody seen my mouth?

On most track based motorsports the drivers are ready to go closer to the limit - because they know there is (often) run off areas.

ByTheWay: I was told from a friend who had watched the Isle of Man TT race that because the track was on open roads then they often had to place the copses(stifs) of killed drivers in peoples backyards - to be collected after the race was over.

 

This may be useful to those on here who complain about the lack of grip when they don't heed this fundamental racing advice.

 

In terms of Sim racing, I think the biggest trap drivers get themselves into is trying to drive too many cars! Unless you're an alien who can hop into just about anything and be fast, it's better to concentrate on one car (or maybe two) and learn how to get the most out of the vehicle. Getting a good base setup is important, then adapting that set to different types of circuits is a great way to get an excellent understanding of the car, and getting comfortable with the vehicle. You will see a marked improvement in lap times, and consistency...

 

If everything seems under control, you are not going fast enough!

 

When I look fast, I'm not smooth and I am going slowly. And when I look slow, I am smooth and going fast. - Alain Prost

 

When I look fast I am not and when I look slow I am slow - F1Aussie.

 

Anything from the soundtrack of this classic
Edit: removed video at the request of Marius, see below post
(but the sound advice of listen carefully to your codriver still stands )

 

Well if you feel that strongly about it, I'll happily remove it. Interesting to find out the story behind it.

 

Juan Manual Fangio:
"To finish first, you must finish first."

 

"No one wins the race by passing everyone else in the first corner" (except very few lucky bastards on rare occasions).

 

I believe you got it slightly wrong... The real saying goes ""To finish first, you must first finish."

 

yes, thanks

 

LOL..you simply wanted to finish too fast

 

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