I couldnt find an answer to this specific question.

Red line should be done in 2nd or 3rd gear because of longer duration as per this forum, whereas 1st gear is not long enough.

The question is, in red lining, is it better to get there as fast as possible pushing the engine OR go a little slower to achieve a longer duration in which to get to 9k rpms?

 

If you are talking about manipulating the throttle to get to redline later, then no, it doesn't work well.

Part of the equation here is the engine load. At WOT you are at maximum load as all of the car's available power is used to accelerate the car. By decreasing the throttle, you are decreasing the load. That's why you can't rev your car in neutral and expect it to work - there is pretty much no load at neutral, other than the small amount required by the alternator, water pump, oil pump, etc.

 

^^ +1

The thing you're trying to do is not get to redline, you're trying to run at full throttle as long as possible. Since that makes the car accelerate, you will eventually find redline, which is unfortunate.

 

To add: maximum load is good only when you have enough RPM and power to support it. Don't ever put your car in a high gear and floor it. It's really bad for the engine as you are lugging it.

Maybe someone should make a CVT RX-8 that will hold the engine at near redline as you floor it.

...I will see myself out.