Tales from a Bruised Mind

You’re probably thinking: what on earth does racing have to do with mental health?

Well I recently found out all about that at an Audi Track Experience Day at Sydney Motorsport Park, west of the CBD. I was fortunate to be invited thanks to my work with www.chasingcars.com.au.

I’ll admit it: I have very little experience with racing cars on closed circuits. A couple of years ago, I spent a day with V8 Supercar driver Broc Feeney at Norwell Motorplex, near the Gold Coast. He helped give me some useful tips about racing lines, cornering and more.

But as much as I thought that experience would prepare me for a proper racing experience, I was pretty wrong about that!

At the Audi Experience, we got to drive a multitude of different RS (performance) models, including the RS3, RS5, RS6 and the full-electric RS E-Tron GT coupe.

During the day, we had the opportunity to go out in both the RS3 and RS5 and guided by an instructor vehicle. The instructor guided you as much as you wanted and drove to your pace, but once my confidence was up, I pushed harder and harder. I have never gripped a steering wheel as hard as that before.

I was sweating like crazy yet enjoying every single minute of the experience. How often does one get to do something like this?

Concentrating away from the real world

Driving (and driving on a track) actually allows you to concentrate elsewhere from your life.

While you may be stressed or worried about something, driving puts your concentration on the car and the act of driving, rather than anything else at that time.

When I was in that fast Audi speeding my way (safely) down the straight, I wasn’t thinking about what I had to do the next day or the stresses I may have had. It was perfectly blissful.

If you’ve been following this blog, you will have probably guessed by now that I am a car fanatic through and through. It’s not only my job, but a hobby and passion, too.

This blog post doesn’t have to necessarily be about cars, but any passion or thing you might like to spend time doing.

Whether it be playing the latest video game, reading a book, doing arts and crafts, whatever! If it can successfully distract you from the real world, I think that’s a really good thing.

Remember, always stay positive and enjoy your down time.

Love,

Zak