Within this sport, achievable target setting and skill repetition are key.

Target both the long term and short.  For example, each rider set yourself a time target to work towards down a certain track, or loop.  In the long term, aim for a certain position at a race.

Skill repetition...Forget practice makes perfect, more like practice makes permanent.  Every time you learn a new skill, or a new section of track your head's going in to overload trying to link everything together in to the right movements.  The more you practice the less you have to remember as actions become autonomous.

If you come to a track you've never ridden before and you're not up to speed on your existing skills you're just giving yourself more work to do.  Your brain can only cope with so much.  Whereas if you go to a track well practiced and confident, a) you're more relaxed, letting the bike do more of the work it's capable of, and b) You'll be putting less physical effort in to the basics, such as making sure your outside foot's down in a corner.

These little on-bar stopwatches are great for both target setting and skill repetition.  It puts you under the pressure of being timed.  Once you get used to it, that's a bit of the "race-day" pressure taken off you.  Sounds daft, but a lot of people crack under the pressure of the clock, if you can get accustomed to it, it's less to stress about = more relaxation.

A potted guide.  Very very vague and brief, but you get the idea.  Any more depth and I'd need to assess each one of you and find out what makes you tick in order to personalise it.

Rootes

My brain is the only thing that stops me being a half decent rider.  I try to change my mindset but i'm always negative which is never going to work.  If it was straight forward then people wouldn't make a living out of understanding it.

If you want a case study then i'm happy to volunteer and not embarrassed to admit my lack of confidence/skill.  Would be fascinating to see what effect it has.

'Fight or flight'  sort of sums up the feeling when you see a big drop/want to lay off the brakes etc. Well documented and the best of the best have learnt to control the flight aspect to such an extent that there is no element of doubt.If you really want to experience it in a controlled environment then go to your local boxing club and start sparring (with someone sensible). Conbine that with training/practice and performance will increase dramatically.There also some interesting research on the power of music that can fire you up to get  the extra .05% or so needed to make the difference between podium and also ran.

I'll assume that role for you Harry at the weekend 

Im a big confidence rider, as in I ride crapply when I think im slow and think im slow when I ride crap. I had huge issues with this which leaded in me selling my downhil bike as I just couldnt cope in races. Giving it another go and not leaving anything to chance. If theres one thing ive learnt, dont be afraid of being more confident. I used to put myself down and also kept saying it to people sometimes just as a laugh but it kinda stuck and felt slow. Now id much prefer to be called slightly arrogant and a rider better than a slow rider who keeps saying hes slow.
Albeit im hardly arrogant but you get the idea, be confident in your ability etc.

my sailing squad has a "phyco" man, he is actually really boring and is a waste of time. but if it works for you then great!

I suggest you do some proper research rather than just believing what other people tell you mate.

If psychology wasn't an issue I wouldn't have got the 20odd messages and emails from people looking for advice on the back of this thread.  Do you actually have a clue what Sports Psychology involves, or how it can be utilised?  Have a read through what I've written, if you actually have an interest in what it involves, PM me and I'll give you an insight.

If you're just trying to stir things and be a c**t, piss off.

Rootes

you smell of fish mate