05 Brake System Condition
Your brakes are literally your lifeline on the track. Going fast is no good if you can't come to a complete stop. Non-HPDers will often ask "How fast do you go on track?", to which we respond that although we go fast, the real adrenaline comes from stopping! Heading into a hairpin corner surrounded by walls (Sonoma Turn 11 we are talking to you) at over 100 miles per hour certainly gets your heart rate going, and your ability to stop at just the right time is what will make or break how well you take the corner, but more importantly whether you stop at all. Below are three checks you must make prior to heading out on track.
The three things you need to check
1: Pad Thickness
Do you have adequate brake pad remaining, ideally more than 6mm or 50% of your new pad thickness? If you do not, do NOT go out on track. You will burn through your brake pads significantly faster with track driving than you ever would with daily driving. Brake pads fall into the category we call "consumables" for a reason, meaning you will be consuming them regularly as you get deeper into the hobby!
2: Brake Fluid
Do you have sufficient quantity (and relatively new) brake fluid in your lines? Having a sufficient quantity of high quality brake fluid in your system is very important, as you will be heating this fluid to temperatures that you simply will not see when you drive on the streets. It is not uncommon to literally boil your brake fluid while on track, significantly reducing its capability. Although this is very unlikely to occur on your first or second day, as you go faster you will need to consider upgrading your fluid, and changing it more often (another consumable!).
3: Air or Leaks in the Lines
Ensure your brake lines have no air or leaks in the lines. Having a well pressurized system is what gives you the stopping power you need. You may have heard of the term "brake fade" at some point, which refers to either the loss of pressure in your brake system caused by leaks, or caused by the viscosity of your brake fluid breaking down, causing loss of pressure. This can be very dangerous on track, so pay attention to your stopping power. If there is any concern about your ability to stop, where the brake peddle feels "mushy" then come in immediately.
Head back to the Starter Guide