Yes, I think he is...

First, while I hear the concerns of my esteemed friend and new track record holder derABT's concern about the outer radius two-thirds the way around the Carousel, I still try to leave not much more than half a car width from the left side tires to the outside curbing at the widest point.

I don't consider Turn 7 a "throwaway corner," because this is one of the very few places that if the car is anywhere near reasonable in handling balance, the increasing speed and throttle opening as you approach the end of the Turn 7 apex curbing can cause the car to FINISH the corner with a nice, progressive transition to oversteer, which you STOP by opening the wheel and getting the car straight while right of center.

It's imperative, when driving REALLY fast, that you turn in from a point close to the edge of the track into Turn 6, Turn 8 and Turn 9. The reason for this is because it's not possible to gauge your lateral position with reference to how deep you are into the corner (i.e., establishing the best, most consistent and accurate turn-in point) without being close to the edge of the road. When you're sloppy, or "in the middle," that point is nebulous and not easily replicated. Every great driver I watch and measure is fanatical about placing the car exactly the same EVERY lap laterally for every foot traveled forward...

So, to answer the question of the OP, I advocate and data supports a) tracking out of Turn 4 left of center and planting the left front sooner rather than later on the inside curb of Turn 5, b) all four wheels over the patch tracking out right of center at the exit of Turn 5, c) continuing the radius taken tracking out of Turn 5 so that you can drive a STRAIGHT line between the right half and the left half of the road entering Turn 6, d) FULLY accelerating over the course of that short straight, e) aligning the left side of the car with the left side of the pavement WHERE IT IS STRAIGHT, f) braking hard for a short distance deep enough so you HAVE to have brake on when you turn the wheel quickly to the right and g) turning only when you get to the dark patch that starts and matches the desired radius through Turn 6...

The track tells you where to go...

 

Can you all tell it's raining, I'm home and I am not working at the track today?

Pretty soon we'll be back at Turn 1! Hahahaha!

I don't know anyone quick who does not touch the end of the curb (or later) after turn in for T6 and at the end of the curbing at T7 apex.

As a matter of fact, overcooking and/or pinching the entry of T6 can be one of the biggest negative impacts on a lap time at Summit, simply due to delaying throttle application...

 

I think I come fairly close to doing what you are saying but the radius of the darker pavement does not meet the end of the gator which is why I'm getting confused. Looks like you would be on a tighter radius. If I need to apex a bit later then I need to go deeper/later. I guess I'm having trouble believing that my awesomeness could be even awesomer

 

You're looking good in that screen grab. I didn't say all four wheels on the patch at the exit of T6, just to follow the radius of the patch with the outside, loaded wheels on the centerline, which you are doing.

The yellow car is wide. The danger is even if you make it down to the curb, it's easy to "release the car" from that inside area TOO soon...

The goal (for a lot of these corners and particularly for the Carousel) is to use your RIGHT FOOT to widen or tighten the radius all the way around. If you hold the T6 apex a little longer, sometimes you can apply throttle more aggressively, sooner.

This will "walk the car out" to the widest point at the appropriate place two-thirds of the way around, while still maintaining the same (or near same) steering input (and I like yours in the screen grab).

 

Gotcha. I'll pay more attention to the entry. I usually focus on the radius and then a slight lift to tuck the nose in for 7. I also tend to turn into 8 just a touch early. And I know it every stinking time I do it.

I should probably get a coach or something

 

Nah, you sound like you know what to do! Just do it!

 

Hunt, you look right on the money. The yellow car is wide and will have to fight the car to get through 7 and then set up for 8 which will kill speed all the way to 10.

 

Not sure what The guy in the black 44 is doing...he's way off line. I heard his kid can drive though .....

 

Probably the bow wave of awesomeness pushed him outta the way

 

^^This

 

Yep, one of these...

 

 

streak, that screen shot is a great visual. would you mind posting one just at the end of 7 ,just as you are transitioning to 8 . i am sure glad it has rained yesterday and more rain today . again, thank you all very much

 

A question to the experts: could the 'right line' through 7 & 8 be car-dependent?

My 951 (and the yellow 968 in the photo) don't change direction as swiftly as Hunt's Boxster or a rear-engined car, so aligning w/ the right side of the track at T7 before turning into 8 feels slow because of the additional angular changes.
I don't have data to support it, but my lap times seem to be better when I don't stay right for 7, releasing the car a little earlier into 8. I then slide the car around 8, hopping the curb slightly, then setting up track left for 9. Brief pause to let the car settle, then WOT when turning into 9.

 

I believe so. Perhaps Good Hands or SMF can pipe in with their views in their cars.