Well, it's official. I'm doing my first track day in a month...

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Pokeguyjai

Sorry, dumb question. Is there a way to check brake pad material without removing the tire? I googled it but they all say to remove the tire. Thank you

Post a picture and I'll tell you

I recommend you get a dedicated set of pads and better fluid at the minimum, unless you know you're going to do it once and never do it again. Having a bad day because your brakes don't hold up isn't fun.

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Have fun, you'll be fine!

Lots of good advice in this thread. The only thing I'll add is that with RWD cars, it helps to be ready for oversteer on corner exit. While you're still learning your car's limits, you probably want to leave a decent safety margin until you feel more comfortable with how the rear will react.

I already have some experience with expecting the back end to come out under power at corner exit - both with karts and when I've been ice racing (which I forgot to mention in the last post). That having been said, the karts have a solid rear axle, and next to no suspension, and the ice racing was all with all wheel drive vehicles, so I do expect the dynamics work a bit differently with a rear-drive car than anything I've drifted/slid around a track before (especially with the mid engine). Because of that, I definitely plan to take it easy at first, and make sure I'm not pushing too far past where I feel comfortable (and I definitely plan to listen to the instructor).

Oh, and I also need to find a good gopro mount for my car - I definitely want this on video

[Pokeguyjai]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Post a picture and I'll tell you

I recommend you get a dedicated set of pads and better fluid at the minimum, unless you know you're going to do it once and never do it again. Having a bad day because your brakes don't hold up isn't fun.

Mike,

I changed out my pads and brake fluid already. But by dedicated, do you mean having one solely for the track and one for every day driving? I plan on just changing out the pads more often.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Pokeguyjai

Mike,

I changed out my pads and brake fluid already. But by dedicated, do you mean having one solely for the track and one for every day driving? I plan on just changing out the pads more often.

If you changed to another set of street pads and slightly upgraded fluid, the *may* work if you're an absolute beginner, but if you have any sort of confidence in yourself or your car, they probably won't.

What pads and fluid are you on?

[Pokeguyjai]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

If you changed to another set of street pads and slightly upgraded fluid, the *may* work if you're an absolute beginner, but if you have any sort of confidence in yourself or your car, they probably won't.

What pads and fluid are you on?

http://www.rallysportdirect.com/Stop...cion-FR-S-2013

Motul RBF600

I'm running Lime Rock in HPDE1 this Saturday. I have about 2200 miles on the pads so far.

[CSG Mike]

They *may* be okay for a first day, but they're still street pads. You should probably put on a race pad, or at least a hybrid pad for your first day. The RBF600 will be just fine for your first time out.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Pokeguyjai

http://www.rallysportdirect.com/Stop...cion-FR-S-2013

Motul RBF600

I'm running Lime Rock in HPDE1 this Saturday. I have about 2200 miles on the pads so far.

You'll get some fade with those brake pads. It'll be manageable if you're on less grippy tires or aren't too absuve on your brakes.

Last year, I was running those pads plus Sumitomo HTR ZIII tires (read: not sticky) on a course that's not too hard on the brakes. I got some fade towards the middle of each session. I let my instructor run a full session when his car broke. He got a bit of fade as well, running in advanced group. It was manageable, but again, we were probably running under ideal circumstances.

By way of comparison, I got massive fade with a GTI on the same course with stock pads and fluid. Meaning the Stoptechs are a step up from your typical stock pads (but nothing like a true track pad).

[juliog]

I did a couple track days with those Stoptechs pads and Dunlop ZII, can confirm they hold up better than OEM, but would start fading half-way through a session. For those still on OEM, I'd say skip "street performance" pads and spend the extra money on hybrids —I got PMU Club Racers from @CSG Mike and I'm a happy camper now

[Takumi788]

Sub'd -Just registered for Watkins Glen HDPE through NASA. Love the fact that this thread is so troll free. Lots of great advise.

[leicaboss]

Same, I'm going to Thunderhill on 5/9 for my very first day out too!

[Pokeguyjai]

It's raining tomorrow so the pads should stay cool. I've heard that Lime Rock only has one braking zone for our cars, so I don't plan on abusing my brakes too much tomorrow! But you never know.

Thanks gents for the feedback on the Stoptechs. I already messaged Mike and am deciding on whether to go with dedicated track pads or hybrids. I am leaning toward hybrids though.

Originally Posted by juliog

I did a couple track days with those Stoptechs pads and Dunlop ZII, can confirm they hold up better than OEM, but would start fading half-way through a session. For those still on OEM, I'd say skip "street performance" pads and spend the extra money on hybrids —I got PMU Club Racers from @CSG Mike and I'm a happy camper now

Juliog,

How are you liking the hybrids? Noise level, dust level, life expectancy? (Compared to the Stoptechs if you remember?) If I do go hybrids, Mike recommended Project Mu HC+800, Winmax W4, or Carbotech XP8.

[retrosmiths]

Originally Posted by Pokeguyjai

Juliog,

How are you liking the hybrids? Noise level, dust level, life expectancy? (Compared to the Stoptechs if you remember?) If I do go hybrids, Mike recommended Project Mu HC+800, Winmax W4, or Carbotech XP8.

I'm not Juliog, but I can share my experience with HC+800: they squeal like pigs when warmed up. I did try breaking them in according to the instructions it came with, didn't work. I did a more aggressive break-in, didn't work.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Takumi788

Sub'd -Just registered for Watkins Glen HDPE through NASA. Love the fact that this thread is so troll free. Lots of great advise.

Vid, just for you - I may be instructing at your event; if I do, I'll stop by and check your ride out.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skBtBia6b6g"]AP-2:04/3/2 - YouTube[/ame]

[juliog]

Originally Posted by retrosmiths

I'm not Juliog, but I can share my experience with HC+800: they squeal like pigs when warmed up. I did try breaking them in according to the instructions it came with, didn't work. I did a more aggressive break-in, didn't work.

I used to get a lot of squeal on the Club Racers, but I've found that stopping (somewhat) aggressively a few times a day helps a lot. Now I rarely get any squeal. Downside is looking like a douche and passenger hating you

Can't comment on lifetime yet, and yes they do dust compared to stock.. but that's expected.