Valvetrain Geometry

Good input. T&D also seems to advocate the mid-lift theory. 'As little wasted motion as possible' and 'narrowest sweep pattern' both occur with mid-lift geometry. 'Fastest speed off the seat and slowest speed over the nose' do not. These would occur if the fulcrum arm were at 90 degrees to the valve with the valve closed, but I understand what you are saying. I think you are comparing the Jesel approach with the mid-lift approach.

Killer6's comment about the Jesel approach being used on high lift stuff may be valid. Obviously Jesel is doing something right.