Is Rockingham's Layout too fierce?

[JonnyW]

My brakes are destroyed! New discs and pads all round has set me back a load! My question is; in its current layout where we swing down at circa 160 mph in to a hair-pin then run around the infield on the brakes about 7 times hard, so no time to cool, and on the basis that most of us had brake issues, is there another layout that allows us to use the circuit but not shred the cars? Not including just going around the oval, we'd be a big line end to end, hiding under Mike 's chuff!

[NTEL]

Hi Jonny, can't say I had any problems at all with the brakes on mine even though I don't use cooling ducts. Maybe I was just going too slow

Just an observation, I noticed that all those with brake issues were running with front splitters. Could that be the culprit?

[JonnyW]

Good point!! I am taking the angle grinder to my inner bodywork on the weekend to get more air flowing around the disc!!

[450Nick]

Interesting point Dave - well spotted... Makes sense I suppose!

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

I have a AP disk Temp Paint kit,
It maybe worth putting it on all the cars, to find out there actual max temp, so you can run pads that match.
I think a lot of the problems maybe due to running incorrect pads for the Disc temperatures your running. and Rockingham has hi-lighted this problem.

Also if you have spare Pads they should be pre-beded, so they don't have release agent in them, they should also be of the same compound.

I did Tims car and Jamie's, so be interesting if they can post up what colours went white.

[Keithyboy]

Brakes were about the only thing I didn't have issues with at the Rock!

[itsallyellow]

I've never had a break problem including at Rockingham. The problem with my car this weekend was the front calipers being stuck on due to the secondary spring in the master cylinder failing.....

Bigger brakes and better fluid needed on the heavier cars.

We run Castrol SRF fluid. You will not boil this unless you have a breaking problem or haven't replaced the fluid often enough!

[Graham]

I've run at most of the layouts at Rock at least twice in 2 different cars, and only had a brake issue once that was due to an underlying problem not circuit specific, so no i dont think rock is to harsh.

It was more likely the high ambient conditions highlighting any issues with you brake systems.

We've seen this before when people put the factory air dam on the front of a tuscan, you then have to duct the brakes or they overheat, so your probably getting the same issues with splitters.

[Guillotine]

I think the Rock is heavy on brakes, but they should be able to handle it.

I had brake issues in race 2, but only because I was braking later than I wanted to, to catch Tim back up (Turn 1 being the only place I ws gaining) My main problem is that I too had nicked front airflow for more power (to try and stay with Tim ) removing brake airflow.

Cant see that ambient has much to do with it considering the brake temps under load??? More a problem for us lardy old gits IN the car!

A

[wadsapple]

no issues for car 77 brake wise mine are ducted.

[tbdgriff500]

mine too was not temperatures or track, been there many times with no brake problems, mine was due to new brake pads that were too thick and stuck on as soon as they warmed up getting hotter and sticking more until i boiled everything and los all the brakes completley,
Nothing to do with the track or ambient temp.
will be sorted for snett though!! turn one not as forgiving at snett

[Guillotine]

You were lucky you got away with that Timbo...not the missed corner...

THE TURNING ROUND AND DRIVING BACK UP THE TRACK TO REJOIN!!!!
Lucky they didnt black flag you for that. Should have gone across the grass.

[tbdgriff500]

i read the last intructions and it said turn round and rejoin when safe to do so which is what i did and i did cut the corner on the grass a bit!!

[Guillotine]

Fair enough then mate, I did look for an access road myself and couldnt see anything.
Must have been scarey driving back UP that bit!

[Graham]

They used to make you continue round the banking, and rejoin at the other side, you were supposed to make sure you didnt gain any advantage lol..

[tbdgriff500]

when leigh loads my vid you can see how close to the on coming i was,

[JonnyW]

I had a long chat with tech Craft about my brakes, very helpful! The problem is that I am running a thinner disk to match the calliper conversion so the disc gets hot. Also I need more air around the disc s and the home made pads made from tofu and crushed sparkler are not appropriate albeit cheap and smell nice when hot,, :-)

[wadsapple]

Hi Jonny,

Have a think about Padgid RS15's if you can get them to fit your caliper and a lot of other cars use Mintex 1144 F4 i beleive.

cheers perry

[bill tvr]

Had no brake issues...i was aware that this circuit can be hard on the car..i was just happy to bring the car home and move on to the next race

[Tall Bloke]

we had no brake issues and was running a splitter in race 2 !