Public roads used to the extrem
The best line to drive:
In a track would be the fastest obviously but then the fastest might not be the line you want to drive for the hole race. Fastest could over heat brakes, tires, engines & at some point drivers. The fastest line is always due to change base on car characteristics, tire wear, weather conditions and ground conditions. A lot of race car driver’s compromise when they are against an aggressive field of drivers and end up taking a safer line. So what is this safe line is the line that will allow you to keep around 20% of the grip of your tires, in other words you will be driving pushing the tires to their 80% of total traction. This lane will allow you to have a 20% grip to react to any defensive maneuver when needed, either using your brakes, throttle or steering.
Mountain Runs:
There is no line to drive, you shouldn't been driving over the speed limits period! But we do it. So that brings us to the question of what is the right line to drive in a mountain run? I hardly believe that said line should be chosen wisely, should be chose with the ego aside and the knowledge of what car are you driving and its potential.
You should not drive or try to tag along with cars that over power your car in all aspects (braking, cornering & wtq), you should be able to know what skill level you fall in. Last you should be know that you car is in its best running condition. You will be your sanctioning body; no one will tell you can’t run because you have old tires, or a cracked windshield etc... Is your life you decide how much you play with it?
So by then you should know you are not driving no F1 car nor a WRC car. So in my own personal opinion you should drive the safest line, you should be able to have enough grip left in your tires to slow down to avoid a biker, in coming traffic, a patch of oil etc... If you have to cross the double yellow to drive the safest line know that you can get your license suspended as I was told. But to me I rather have 40% of my grip to use it as I please that hug my left white line.
So to some people my safe line might look like and aggressive line but in reality is not, I drive the best safe line I can to every occasion even going to work, and has save me and my car numerous times from stupid drivers out there. Knowledge gives you the power to choose
My .02
Rafa,