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Mastering Summit Point Raceway in iRacing with the Mazda MX-5
Summit Point Raceway, nestled in the rolling hills of West Virginia, is a 2-mile road course renowned for its technical layout and diverse challenges. With 10 turns ranging from tight hairpins to flowing esses and a long back straight, it’s a track that rewards precision, patience, and a deep understanding of car control. In iRacing, the Mazda MX-5 Miata—lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, and perfectly balanced—serves as an ideal platform for learning this circuit. Whether you’re a rookie in the Mazda MX-5 Cup or an intermediate driver looking to refine your skills, this guide will walk you through every turn, leveraging iRacing’s realistic physics to help you extract the most from the car and the track.
This 5000-word article uses a detailed turn-by-turn reference to cover brake markers, braking intensity and duration, trail braking techniques, gear shifts, acceleration points, and curb interaction (whether to clip, get close, or go full curb). By following this guide in iRacing, you’ll build a lap that’s both fast and consistent. Let’s dive in, starting with the approach to Turn 1 and Turn 2, a double-apex complex that sets the tone for the lap.
Turn 1 and Turn 2: The Opening Complex
Approach and Setup
As you rocket down Summit Point’s front straight in the MX-5, you’ll be in 5th gear, pushing the car to its modest top speed of around 120-130 mph, depending on your draft. The key to nailing Turn 1 and Turn 2—a tight right-left sequence—is setting up properly. Position the car far left on the track, hugging the outside edge as you approach the braking zone. This wide entry maximizes your visibility and opens up the tight Turn 1 apex.
Brake Marker and Braking
Your brake marker (BM) for Turn 1 is subtle but critical: begin braking close to midway after the three cones on the left side of the track. In iRacing, these cones are clearly visible, making them a reliable reference. Apply 75% brake pressure steadily—no slamming here, as the MX-5’s lightweight chassis can lock up the fronts if you’re too aggressive. This is a firm but controlled brake application, designed to scrub off speed from 5th gear down to a manageable pace for the upcoming downshift.
Downshift and Turn-In
As you brake, prepare to downshift to 1st gear (DN-SHFT to 1st). The turn-in point coincides with a road patch on the right side of the track—a visual cue you’ll spot in iRacing’s high-fidelity rendering. At this moment, execute a sharp trail brake (TB), easing off the brakes as you turn in to transfer weight to the front tires, helping the MX-5 rotate into the tight right-hander. The goal is a late apex, so avoid clipping the curb entirely—keep the car just off it to maintain stability.
Acceleration and Exit
Get on the throttle a car length before the apex, but don’t stomp it. The MX-5’s 155 horsepower demands a smooth application—start at 50% throttle and quickly build to full power. This gradual input prevents the rear from stepping out, especially in 1st gear. As you exit Turn 1, aim to place the left tires on the far side of the road patch, tracking out mostly left. Upshift to 2nd (UP-SHFT to 2nd) as you unwind the wheel, then immediately swing the car back right to set up for Turn 2. Upshift to 3rd (UP-SHFT to 3rd) as you complete the exit, staying mostly left to prepare for the next corner.
Turn 2 Notes
Turn 2 flows naturally from Turn 1’s exit. Keep the momentum from 3rd gear and focus on a smooth transition—no additional braking is needed here. The key is linking these corners with a rhythm that carries speed into Turn 3.
Turn 3: The Sweeping Right
Approach and Setup
After exiting Turn 2, move the car far right on the track. You’ll be in 3rd gear, carrying decent speed from the Turn 1-2 complex. Turn 3 is a fast, sweeping right-hander that rewards commitment but punishes over-aggression, so positioning is everything.
Brake Marker and Braking
The brake marker for Turn 3 is after the beginning of the grass patch following the four cones on the left. In iRacing, this grass is a distinct visual cue. Apply just under 25% brake pressure briefly—think of it as a light tap to settle the car—then transition into a minor trail brake (TB) to maintain control as you turn in. This isn’t a heavy braking zone; it’s about finesse.
Turn-In and Acceleration
Turn in halfway through the grass on the right, keeping the car poised. A car length before the curb, accelerate quickly to full throttle. As you clip the curb with the right tires, aim for a late apex—this ensures you’re carrying maximum speed onto the short straight that follows. The MX-5’s suspension can handle a light curb clip, but don’t overdo it.
Exit
Exit wide, letting the car ride the full curb on the left side. You can drop a tire off the track here, but be cautious—the MX-5’s rear can get twitchy if you hit the dirt too hard. Stay in 3rd gear and track out fully to set up for Turn 4.
Turn 4: The Left Flick
Approach and Setup
After Turn 3, move the car over to the left, taking advantage of the extra tarmac on the inside. You’ll upshift to 4th gear (UP-SHFT to 4th) as you approach, carrying solid momentum from the previous corner.
Execution
Turn 4 is a quick left flick that doesn’t require braking. As you close in on the curb, reduce throttle to 60% to maintain grip through the turn. Aim to keep the car close to the curb without clipping it—the MX-5’s low center of gravity helps here. Exit with the left tires barely on the centerline, setting up naturally for Turn 5.
Notes
This is a rhythm corner. Stay smooth, avoid oversteer, and let the car flow into the next section. No gear changes are needed—just a brief lift to keep things tidy.
Turn 5: The Tight Hairpin
Approach and Setup
Turn 5 is a slow, tight right hairpin that demands heavy braking and precise throttle control. Your brake marker is as the dirt begins on the right side of the track. Maintain the left tires on the centerline as you approach, coming off the flowing Turn 4.
Brake Marker and Braking
Start braking gradually, building to just under 75% pressure, then execute a sharp trail brake (TB) to rotate the car. This is one of the MX-5’s heaviest braking zones—too little, and you’ll overshoot; too much, and you’ll lock up. Downshift to 1st gear (DN-SHFT to 1st) as you slow, timing it with the turn-in.
Turn-In and Acceleration
Turn in at the end of the tire barrier on the left—a clear iRacing landmark. Control the throttle carefully: start at 40%, build to 75%, then go full early as you pass the apex. Aim for a close curb and a late apex, riding the full curb at the apex itself to widen your exit.
Exit
Exit right of the middle, then swing back left to set up for Turn 6. The MX-5’s low torque in 1st gear means you need to be smooth to avoid wheelspin, but once you’re straight, you’ll carry good speed into the next complex.
Turn 6 and Turn 7: The Esses
Approach and Setup
Turn 6 and Turn 7 form a quick left-right esses section that tests your ability to link corners. Your brake marker for Turn 6 is where the tire barrier sticks out on the left—a prominent feature in iRacing.
Brake Marker and Braking
Apply a peak of 25% brake pressure, then trail brake (TB) slowly as you turn in at the dirt patch on the right. This light braking settles the car without killing momentum.
Acceleration and Curbs
Step the throttle from 60% to 90% to full, starting just before the Turn 6 apex. Keep the car close to the curb on the left, hugging it until just before it ends. Exit mostly wide, upshifting to 2nd (UP-SHFT to 2nd) as you transition into Turn 7. For Turn 7, move back right—it’s okay to clip or get close to the curb on the right. Exit just left of the middle, maintaining 2nd gear.
Notes
Rhythm is key here. The MX-5 loves flowing through esses, so avoid jerky inputs and let the car dance.
Turn 8: The Flat-Out Kink
Approach and Setup
Turn 8 is a fast, flat-out right kink leading onto the back straight. After exiting Turn 7, clip the curb on the right and upshift to 3rd (UP-SHFT to 3rd).
Execution
Hug the white line on the right, keeping the throttle pinned. Exit left of the middle, setting up for Turn 9. The MX-5’s stability shines here—just hold your line and trust the car.
Turn 9: The High-Speed Sweeper
Approach and Setup
Approach Turn 9 with the right tires on the centerline, still in 3rd gear from Turn 8. This is another flat-out corner—a long, sweeping right.
Execution
Hug the curb with a late apex, keeping the throttle full. Exit wide, placing two tires on the exit curb, then upshift to 4th (UP-SHFT to 4th) as you stay left for Turn 10.
Turn 10: The Final Challenge
Approach and Setup
Turn 10 is a tricky, medium-speed right that feeds onto the front straight. Position the car far left, approaching in 4th gear.
Brake Marker and Braking
The brake marker is the patch of dry grass on the left or where the white line slightly kinks right. Brake at just under 50% pressure, then use a right triangle trail brake (TB)—easing off progressively—to settle the car. Turn in slightly after you start braking.
Downshift and Acceleration
Downshift to 3rd (DN-SHFT to 3rd) just before the curb, then go aggressive with full throttle at the beginning of the curb. Aim for a late apex, keeping close to the curb without clipping it.
Exit
Exit wide, using all of the runoff (but avoiding the dirt), then upshift to 4th and 5th (UP-SHFT 4th then 5th) as you blast down the front straight. Stay left to prepare for Turn 1 again.
Conclusion
Driving the Mazda MX-5 around Summit Point Raceway in iRacing is a masterclass in precision and car control. By following this guide—complete with brake markers, gear shifts, throttle inputs, and curb strategies—you’ll develop a lap that’s both fast and repeatable. Practice each section in iRacing’s practice mode, use the ghost car to refine your lines, and watch your lap times drop as you internalize the rhythm of this classic circuit. The MX-5’s forgiving nature makes it the perfect tool for learning, while Summit Point’s layout ensures you’ll never stop finding ways to improve.
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