The Racing Line: Outside-Inside-Outside

Whose line is it, anyway? Outside-Inside-Outside is usually the best way through the twisties. *Photo courtesy of Brian J. Nelson.*

Racetracks provide ideal conditions for riding through turns, and racers follow a path through those turns that optimizes visibility, traction, and the ability to accelerate out of each turn.

Enter the turn on the outside, dive to the inside, then let the bike drift to the outside while you twist the throttle on the way out of the turn.

They reduce their speed before the corner and brake while the bike is still upright. They enter the corner at the extreme outside edge to maximize visibility and turn radius. They turn slightly more sharply than the corner demands, cutting across the track to be at the inside edge at the apex. This allows them to begin accelerating at the apex. The acceleration helps stand the bike up and push it outward, so they exit the turn at the extreme outside edge.

This is called an “Outside-Inside-Outside” path, or a “racing line.” When you watch MotoAmerica races, either in person at any of our rounds or remotely via MotoAmerica Live+, you will see every rider following the racing line as much as possible. After all, it’s usually the fastest way around a racetrack.

Note that I said “usually.” More to come on that tomorrow.

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