Summit Point Main In A Miata

Published: November 4, 2013; updated: May 9, 2014

Turn 1

Braking point either seriously depends on tires or I forget how to drive. In November 2013 my goal was to start braking at the end of the pavement extension on the left, this is way before the 5 marker, and I actually started braking half a car length before that.

In May 2014 I was consistently braking at the 3 marker and working toward braking at the 2.5 marker.

It is important, particularly on Maxxis tires apparently, to be gentle with brake ramp-up in this corner. Too much braking effort early can lock up the tires. With progressive braking, starting at 2.5 marker the car is fairly composed. 2.25 marker should be achievable with more seat time.

Extreme left of the track appears slick. In November 2013 I was starting braking with the right side of the car near the center track dashed line and moving left through the braking zone. In May 2014 I was beginning to brake on the left and drifting slightly into the track toward the turn-in point.

Trying to trailbrake in 1 but heat cycled tires do not give much help there.

Maxxis LF tire squealed hard when they did not have enough pressure. Car gripped much better in turns 1 and 6 at 45 psi rather than 34 psi hot.

Get on power early and track out aggressively under power. At least given low grip tires this seems like the fastest way through.

Turn 2

Flat out.

Turn 3

Turn in point is halfway between the first and the second access roads on the right.

As of November 2013, in a limited grip configuration, second quarter of the space between the access roads is the braking zone. In a higher grip configuration, no braking should be necessary.

In May 2014 I ran half the time without braking for turn 3. Lift where the first access road begins, or 2-3 feet before, and turn roughly in the middle between the roads. I feel that I could have had more tire grip there.

Get on power at the apex.

Adding air to Maxxis tires seemed to make the car more floating in turn 3.

Turn 4

November 2013: lifting in a low grip configuration. With more grip should be taking turn 4 flat out.

May 2014: taking turn 4 flat out on most laps. Still need to be careful with braking into turn 5, I majorly flatspotted RF when right side was unloaded more than usual.

Turn 5

Start braking mid track or just right of center, cut diagonally toward the apex. Put the left tires into the seam at the curb and follow it while finishing braking.

With beat tires not carrying much speed through 5, but apparently still going faster there than a lot of people.

The diagonal line and late braking help a lot.

I need reference points for where to begin braking.

Turn 6

Being smooth and gentle on the brakes seems better than mashing them, as the latter just leads to overbraking.

Having good grip makes a noticeable difference in turn in in 6.

Touch the apex.

Turn 7

Flat out.

Turn 8

Flat out.

Turn 9

Flat out and try to have a shallow line, track out soon favoring less steering angle early in the turn.

Turn 10

Lost my reference points but not much braking and try to be on power at the apex.