My wife has her very first track day coming up here in CA. Will probably be at Thunderhill.

Does anyone have any suggestions on a track worthy brake pad for a beginner?

She doesn't need a hard core track pad since she won't be very fast. This is a learning exercise. Just something that won't fade as quickly as regular street pads.

I'm thinking of the Carbotechs or Hawk HP+. Any input? Too bad my collection of pads for the RX7 don't swap over.

We are currently running Axxis Ultimates on stock rotors.

Thanks.

 

Why not stick with the stockers? The oem pads were fine for my first track day.

If she needs something better get the Hawk HP+ not the S.

 

I did my first track day at Thunderhill with the stock brakes. The stock brakes worked fine for that event and did not wear too bad. After a few track days I decided to upgrade the brakes due to fade.

 

Interesting. I was concerned that the street pads would have faded and not been enough for a first track day. I guess we'll give it a shot on what we're running. She's actually a pretty aggressive but good driver and has already done a BMW Car Control Clinic embarrassing some people with more ego than skills. Hence the concern.

If anyone has a used set of HP+ sitting around that they want to get rid of do get in touch. Just in case...

 

I started with Carbotech XP10/8 front/back combo and worked to XP12/10 combo. No fade, great stopping, no issues. I run stock rotors/calipers and ATE type 200 fluid. I have a tendency to threshold brake at some spots on the track so I do use up brake pads.

If you want a step up, I would recommend the Carbotech XP10/8 combo.

 

slinger688 should know -- he runs a lot of track days and burns through plenty of pads. But for a first track day, stock pads are probably fine. I found that after my first track day on stock pads that the very first thing I wanted to address before another track day was new pads. Two reasons: stock pads had an on/off feel, and did not give me the smoothest braking. Second, I felt fade by the end of my runs (but nothing that made me feel in danger). I went with Carbotech Bobcats, a good balance between street and occasional track use. Next year, if I do more than 3 or 4 track days, I will probably go with slinger688's proven formula or something similar.

 

Keep an eye on the rotors as well. There have been posts of cracked rotors after a track day.

 

ATE brake fluid eh...

A Mini/BMW shop that I spoke with recently said they didn't like that fluid on the German cars. Said it made the brake pedal feel soft possibly due to bad interaction with the seals. They suggested Motul instead.

I use it on my RX7 fwiw but now am reluctant to try it on the Mini. Going to pick up some Motul.



I don't think my wife will be driving hard enough to do any rotor damage on her first track day.

 

Good Thread just need to clear up a few things.

AXC nor CT encourage 1521 aka Bobcats for ANY track use.

slinger688 only used 2 sets of pads this year. Most Trackers running XP's can get 3 track days out of the front and 5 on the rear. Depends on the track, run group, tires, mods and driver.

 

Actually, I am at 5 fronts and 2 rears so far this year. Been buying them "lightly used ones" from the Mini guys here to reduce the costs of running. The new ones I get from you. And I swap them out if I am on the street. I find that the XP12 last about 50 percent longer than than XP10s. Not sure why?

 

I have heard that too but I have not experienced that. I do change the brake fluid about 4 times a year. I used Motul only once this year but could not feel much difference. But I have a foot that does not have too much feeling anyway.

That said, I did develop a sqeek in the brake and clutch pedals after putting in Super Blue for the first time.

 

One last thing, seems like AutoX, GKP and VV knows LOTS more about my track habits than my wife.

 

Can confirm that Bobcats are NOT for the track, against advice I ran them at VIR and turned them to charcoal before the day was over.... 2 cents

 

LOL. That is probably a good thing.

 

Hawk DTC70's!!! (Used with Wilwoods) Two sets took me 1 1/2 years doing about 20 track days on them. They are awesome...

Super Blue in my car...

 

^^DTC pads are not a beginner track pad... They are better for people that have a decent amount of experience. Used that way, they are indeed a good pad.

The Axxis Ultimates worked well and got her through her first track day. 5 sessions at Laguna Seca.