Brake Fade a risk for first time tracker?

martin82

Great thread, I will also have my first track day in January on my '12 since I'm at around 1200 miles right now. I am thinking of upgrading to braided brake lines and fluid. Wear out the pads on the track and install new pads after that.

We will see how the new oil cooler on the 2012's do!

cossie1600

So you want to kill your pads prematurely while getting no performance benefits out of it?

martin82

Reason I say that, my car has 1200 miles. I would like to kill the pads before throwing them away for new pads. I think 1 track day should be fine as long as I don't push it too hard. It will be willowsprings or buttonwillow.

cossie1600

pads dont rot, just keep it and use it whenever you are not at the track. there is no such thing as a dual purpose pad

Island_370

All brakes can fade....It is simply a matter of a overheating. The best fluid with the best pads will still fade if you try to go balls deep into ever corner. You simply cannot do 100% braking into every corner. The trick is to creep up the limits for each corner. But each corner will vary based on cooling (time since last brake application), speed entering the braking zone, etc. Experience is only answer. The better the pads, the better the fluid, the higher the 100% is. Braking deep into a corner "feels" like racing, but exit speed from the corner is where more time is gained or lost. Don't destroy a corner by trying to carry 3 mph 20 feet deeper. It will usually cost you 5 mph at exit....and the entire distance after the corner.
I have fun tracking a rental car. Deep braking doesn't do it for me, maximizing apex speed and exit speed does. Neither of those need brakes. I tracked a rental at VIR and I needed a #7 braking sign for turn one, I was braking so soon. But it let me save my brakes. I still prefer a track ready car, but any time on the track is fun....

Teflon lines (or SS lines as people like to call them) they are rarely a waste, but you have to be fairly dialed into car to really notice the difference. They are just good insurance.

As for VDC...
Every time I hit a track (new or one I have +1000 miles on), I leave it on until I actual notice interfering (my previous car, I have not tracked my Z yet). As a newbie, it will save you more than it will hurt you. If you can drive smooth enough, the VDC will not be very busy.

Overall....the best advice I can give, leave your ego at home. Listen to experienced people. High performance driving and street driving require different skills. Just understand that you need to develop new skills and a new sense for the car. This learning takes time and practice.

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Autobahn Country Club (North and South Tracks), Blackhawk Farms, Grattan, Gingerman, Mid-Ohio, Putnam Park, Road America, Sears Point, Thunderhill, VIR and "The Ring"