Stock car on the road course

[CB762]

Anyone with first-hand track experience on the stock pads/rotors?

BTW, from my own experience: inexpensive Valvoline DOT3&4 worked just fine with heavier Supra (XP10/XP8 + VictoRacer V710) for 2-days HPDE. The key point is to keep it fresh!

TIA!

[CSG David]

Stock rotors are fine. Stock pads will fade when you start having more fun on a circuit due to the larger speed differentials from straights to setting up for corners compared to the public street/canyon roads. Good pads and fluid will go a long way.

[ill86]

The stock pads and tires worked decently on track. I quickly replaced the tires and ran a few more events with stock pads. The initial fade that happened on the first time out didn't happen so bad on subsequent times.

If you are new to circuit driving just take it easy. Brake earlier and don't over heat the tires and you'll be fine. Check tire pressures between sessions and adjust as necessary.


To qualify my advice i am a professional and have well over 15,000 laps at PittRace/BeaveRun in PA.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by CB762

I will be taking my FR-S on the road course (Mid America Motorplex) in a few weeks and at this time I do want to keep it stock as much as possible. I'm planning to change rims/tires and rotors/pads in some near future...

I'm wondering what is your experience with stock car on the track.
My primary concern is brake pads. Will stock pads survive for 1 HPDE day? I don't think September will be very hot this year...

Thanks!

I would recommend you get some nice pads and fluid. We've seen more than a few FRS/BRZ melt/disintegrate/obliterate their stock pads on their first track day here in SoCal.

Will they survive if its your first time? Probably. Will you have more fun and get more out of your track day with a proper set of race pads and good brake fluid? Definitely.

Why anyone would possibly recommend Street pads at a Race track, is beyond me. You're going to a Race track to drive the car as if its a Race car in Race-like conditions, not to putz around and obey the speed limit like you're on the streets.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by CB762

Anyone with first-hand track experience on the stock pads/rotors?

BTW, from my own experience: inexpensive Valvoline DOT3&4 worked just fine with heavier Supra (XP10/XP8 + VictoRacer V710) for 2-days HPDE. The key point is to keep it fresh!

TIA!

Dan Gardener of DG-Spec did... and found out the hard way. He also melted his rear bumper that weekend after taking off his muffler...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aELlgySiG_Y"]Stock FR-S brakes die @ California Speedway: Part 2 - YouTube[/ame]

[CB762]

Originally Posted by ill86

The stock pads and tires worked decently on track. I quickly replaced the tires and ran a few more events with stock pads. The initial fade that happened on the first time out didn't happen so bad on subsequent times.

If you are new to circuit driving just take it easy. Brake earlier and don't over heat the tires and you'll be fine. Check tire pressures between sessions and adjust as necessary.


To qualify my advice i am a professional and have well over 15,000 laps at PittRace/BeaveRun in PA.

What tire pressure you were running and what was the ambient temp at the track. I know how to adjust pressure, need some numbers to begin with. Thanks!

[CSG David]

I'd start with the recommended tire pressure from the factory that you find in the door sill especially on the standard OE tires. Taking tire temperature across the width of the tread will help better define what tire pressure you should run when the tire is hot (operating temp). Street tires (Z1SS, RS3s, etc.) like to run around 36-38psi hot. This could range between 28-32psi cold depending on ambient temperatures.

[ill86]

Originally Posted by CSG David

I'd start with the recommended tire pressure from the factory that you find in the door sill especially on the standard OE tires. Taking tire temperature across the width of the tread will help better define what tire pressure you should run when the tire is hot (operating temp). Street tires (Z1SS, RS3s, etc.) like to run around 36-38psi hot. This could range between 28-32psi cold depending on ambient temperatures.

Excellent advice.

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I would recommend you get some nice pads and fluid. We've seen more than a few FRS/BRZ melt/disintegrate/obliterate their stock pads on their first track day here in SoCal.

Will they survive if its your first time? Probably. Will you have more fun and get more out of your track day with a proper set of race pads and good brake fluid? Definitely.

Why anyone would possibly recommend Street pads at a Race track, is beyond me. You're going to a Race track to drive the car as if its a Race car in Race-like conditions, not to putz around and obey the speed limit like you're on the streets.

Absolutely agree. My advice above was aimed at a beginner/novice who may not want to spend a lot to get on track. However one can also, as a beginner, run the car at 7/10s and develope track skills. On a 100% stock car.

Tires and brake pads should certainly be addressed for anything after that point. Perhaps I misunderstood the OPs intensions.

[ill86]

Originally Posted by CB762

What tire pressure you were running and what was the ambient temp at the track. I know how to adjust pressure, need some numbers to begin with. Thanks!

Ambient temps were 79-82° F.

[CB762]

Thanks to everyone for opinion!
I came to conclusion that all components should match. High-performance/race pads will tear street tire.
I know about fun being on slicks with upgraded and cooled brakes and I will upgrade accordingly for the next year. For this upcoming HPDE I'll bring stock car and take it slow (and hopefully it will be colder). I will share my experience.

[ayau]

what pads and fluid do you guys recommend for autocrossing? i'd rather play it safe than cook my stock rotors.

RTR allows changing pads and fluid, right?

[CSG Mike]

I think for AutoX, you should be fine. If anything, just fluid, but stock pads are more than sufficient for AutoX.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I think for AutoX, you should be fine. If anything, just fluid, but stock pads are more than sufficient for AutoX.

i will remember that next time, thanks. now that i've gotten into autox, i have to pay attention to every mod i do to ensure that it's eligible for stock class, lol.