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Racing Line

Car culture term

Racing Line
Photo: Brian Snelson from Hockley, Essex, England / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

What is Racing Line?

The optimal path around a corner or track that lets a car carry the most speed, typically using the full width of the road.

The racing line is the path through a corner or sequence of corners that allows a car to maintain the highest possible speed. By using the full width of the track, the driver effectively straightens the corner, reducing how sharply the car must turn and therefore how much it has to slow down.

A classic single corner is taken by approaching from the outside, clipping the inside at the apex, and running back out to the outside on exit, known as out-in-out. The exact ideal line varies with corner shape, what comes next and the car's balance, and a late apex is often used to prioritise corner-exit speed onto a following straight.

Mastering the racing line is fundamental to going faster on track, often yielding bigger gains than raw power. It must also adapt to conditions, traffic and grip, and differs from the defensive lines used when racing wheel to wheel.

Related terms

Trail BrakingApexHeel-toeTrack dayTime attack

Frequently asked questions

What is the racing line?
It is the path through a corner that lets a car carry the most speed, typically using the full width of the track to straighten the turn.
What is out-in-out?
It describes taking a corner from the outside on entry, clipping the inside at the apex, then running wide again on exit to maximise speed.
What is a late apex?
A late apex means turning in later and clipping the inside further through the corner, which prioritises a faster exit onto a straight.
Does the racing line change with conditions?
Yes, drivers adjust the line for grip, weather, traffic and the car's balance, and may use different lines in the wet.
Is the racing line the same as a defensive line?
No. The racing line is the fastest path, while a defensive line is chosen to protect position against a rival, often sacrificing some speed.

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