The Racing Line at Harris Hill Raceway

Nestled in a nondescript section of Texas countryside lies Harris Hill Raceway. A short, narrow track with a pinwheel shape, Harris Hill provides the challenge of maximizing speed through connected corners with virtually zero curbing as a buffer between you and the weeds. Memberships are available for track day addicts, as well as affordable competitive options such as the H2R timetrial series.

Due in part to the fact that most drivers will not come as close to the boundaries as Al on a track without curbing, the optimal lap times are probably a couple seconds optimistic for this circuit. That said, there is a GT3 Cup driver that supposedly lays down 1'17s, so they're definitely not too far-fetched.

Turns 1 and 2 show the greatest variation in the racing line for the different vehicle types. The Miata, which usually takes the widest, most sweeping line, actually exits Turn 1 farthest to the left, and sets up for Turn 2 on the left edge. It's also the only vehicle to drive to the outside edge of the track between Turns 2 and 3. The motorcycle is the only vehicle that hits the apex at 3 - everyone else should stay wide.

Turn 4 is a decreasing radius right-hander, where you should pretty much stick to the inside the whole way around. There is usually a cone on the track at the exit, but it's too early to be used as an apex, so keep inside for a bit longer. Exiting 4, most drivers stay too far to the right in order to set up wide for Turn 5. Instead, get to mid-track in the straight section between 4 and 5, and turn in a bit earlier. The Miata stays out a bit wider and clips the apex, whereas the Motorcycle and GT3 RS should hug the inside all the way through.

Getting through Turn 6 with minimal or zero deceleration brings up Turn 7, where an inside line is the quickest no matter what the vehicle. Cars will then exit to the far left and set up a wide entry into 8 on the far right, as opposed to the Motorcycle, which exits 7 narrow and enters 8 narrow, too. Everyone exits 8 as fast as possible, letting the speed carry them out to the right side of the track.

At Turn 9, almost all drivers hug the inside for too long. The solution is to apex 9 very early and stay hard on the gas, letting the acceleration push your line out toward the left edge. Then, get the rest of the way left under braking before turning in for 10. The Miata can take 9 without lifting at all, even on street tires.

At Turn 10, most drivers take the Miata's line, but high power-weight vehicles should actually exit just a bit left of mid-track. This allows for higher speed in Turn 11 and through the front straight.