^Two words: Braking zones.

Plus the kink isn't really important for speed, its just bragging rights really. The key is entry speed on a good line= good exit speed on the straights. Looking at my data readings, I had to laps where my sector 1 times were identical, but my sector 2 times were different. Why? I was faster in turn 1,2,3 and slower into 4 and therefor slower into the carousel...since I was slower in the carousel, I had a slower exit out on the straight which made my sector 2 time suffer. the other lap I was slower in turn 1 by about 7 mph which I made up for in the braking zone of turn 4. I exited the carousel about 5 mph faster and improved my sector 2 time in that lap.

Overall, its consistency really. If I could keep my speed in turn 1,2,3 on the first lap and do what I did in the carousel on the second lap, I would be much faster overall!

This is a true point. my instructor had me backing wayy off on the braking. not a huge deal though. I still feel like it is a mix of things, including my camber, my skill as a driver, as well as my lack of power compared to your 1.8. I would love to have some sort of way to figure out sector times and such. I feel like that would help me get a better feel for what is going on. but alas. That wont be happening for awhile.