Brakes for Track Day

[tb1999]

Originally Posted by War Machine

Ok. so every seems to agree on the Carbontech pads. What about the rotors? Brembo slotted rotors and Centric blanks have been recommended. I understand that Centric also makes the Powerslot Rotors. Anyone have any experience with those or the ATE rotors with the weird circular slots? By experience I mean track day experience.

Thanks.

I use bone stock rotors from the Ford parts counter of local jobber with access to a Motorcraft parts warehouse.

Seems to be good for braking from 122 > 65 with no problems. But I have good brake cooling ducts straight into the tophat. But unless you really start seeing some high performance and speeds, you just need something to clamp to.

IMHO the slots and cross drilling just accelerates brake wear. Had a set of centric slotted rotors once, when I first started track days. Since then I've only been running the stock rotors.

If I DO start running anything other, it will be for weight savings, and I'll get a 2 piece with a vented rotor, but no slots or x-drilling etc.

I guess slotted rotors might have some edge on shedding water when racing in the rain, but doubt anyone has a valid study on this because the benefits would be miniscule. Tap the brakes once or twice with the left foot before the corner would be good enough. Most guys will do that to offset pad knock-back on long straights.

[War Machine]

Good to know as the stock rotors are a whole lot cheaper than the slotted ones.

Any issues in running drum brakes in the back? I don't want to invest in a rear disck brake set up unless it is a necessity and most of the braking is done by the front brakes anyway. A long time ago, I used to track a 1984 GTI with rear drums and never had any issues, but I don't know how the Focus drums would stand up to repeated heavy braking and the Focus Wagon is a lot heavier than my old GTI.

[tb1999]

Originally Posted by War Machine

Good to know as the stock rotors are a whole lot cheaper than the slotted ones.

Any issues in running drum brakes in the back? I don't want to invest in a rear disck brake set up unless it is a necessity and most of the braking is done by the front brakes anyway. A long time ago, I used to track a 1984 GTI with rear drums and never had any issues, but I don't know how the Focus drums would stand up to repeated heavy braking and the Focus Wagon is a lot heavier than my old GTI.

I don't think rear drums are a big deal on a mostly stock focus. For most tracks, I doubt you will hit over 120 MPH so you really don't have to worry about overloading the brakes.

When I did track days, I ran the stock brakes out back, and just had minor issues with the shoes developing heat cracks. There is virtually no risk of boiling fluid back there.

Anyone running a stock ZX3 in SCCA Improved touring has to run rear drums, since no brake mods are allowed.

Carbotech offers 2 compounds for rear shoes on the focus, so you can get some better performance, and heat tolerance over stock parts.

I guess the wagon is a bit heavy, with more weight on the rears. You will have to learn as you go, not sure who else tracks a Focus wagon.

[War Machine]

I choose to buy and use the wagon to be different, but it does carry a significant weight & handling penalty (not as tossable as the ZX-3). She has been on a diet and I may be able to get her to the weight of a basic ZX-3. Thanks for all the help. The NASA HPDE is not until May so I have time to get her ready. It's a race weekend so hopefully there will be some Spec Focus racers out there to help me out with the set up and show me the line.

[War Machine]

The Wagon has received the following updates for my NASA HPDE Track day in May.

Hawk HPS Pads with new Centrix blanks
Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines
ATE Blue Racing Brake Fluid
Focus Sport Lower Stress Bar
Lots of Weight Reduction - while still keeping it a Daily Driver.
FS Werks Tune - 91 Octane
Air Bag Delete Pocket (Passenger Side Only)
Had car Pre-Tech by a local Racecar Preparation shop - SR Racing, in Lexington, KY
and most important:

4 Dunlop Direzza Star Spec Z1 Tires - 205/50/15 on painted Wagon wheels



We also had a new addition to the family, he might also get wear the Dunlops for Autocross duty!

[Feffman]

+1 on the Carbotech Pads (www.CTBrakes.com). Call Danny Puskar at Carbotech and he'll be able to assist you with the proper pad. Another thought for the stock system is braided steel brake lines and of course a high temperature brake fluid like Motul.

Feff

[CanyonFocus]

I use the Ford Motorcraft rotors and pads with a good bleed they stop on a dime but then again i have the SVT which has great brakes

[War Machine]

Gutted the wagon in preparation for the track day. Don't want to go too crazy yet! We'll see how she does next weekend.

[FocusBoy58]

my ebc rotors lasted about 2 races before they started cracking with Green stuff pads... Now I use $100 for all 4 rotors zinc coated chamfer drilled rotors and I have had them on for 4 races now and no cracks yet.

Either way whatever you choose I would say just get cheap ass duralasts for 25 a piece and destroy those... over 160+ for the front 120+ for the rear and they last 2 races ya ill never do that again.