Track days in AUs

[BA GT-HO]

I am considering taking my XR8 out on a track day soon but I am a bit worried about the stock brakes and how badly I am going to warp/destroy them.

I have read some things on here that suggest BA/AU brakes are prone to warping after heavy use around country/hills roads, so would it be worth throwing some DBA slotted discs/bendix pads on the front before taking to the track?

Is there anything else to watch for with these AUs at the track? I have done trackdays before (not in the XR8) but it was in winter and it looks like it's going to be 30+ this time which is why I am worried..

Cheers.

P.S The brakes are stock issue XR8 brakes, not the upgraded Tickford ones.

[T3man]

You definitely need at least the premium brakes for sustained quick laps - standard ones go to jelly after two or three quick laps. So if you do just two consecutive fast laps and then a slow one you'll save them and still have fun. If one slow lap is not sufficient to let them cool you'll soon work it out

The only problem AUs have is turn-in at sharp or off-camber corners. Bump your front tyres to about 44 and rears to 40 for a starting point. Adjust as necessary if you find too much understeer or oversteer. 2 psi at a time at either end should be felt, so don't go any more than 2 psi increments until you get the balance to suit your self and the particular track.

[Mark351]

Yup, that's about it on stockies. Great fun though.

PS Beware wet weather and not-no-new tyres... :(

[MRJUCY]

I just put Bendix Ultimates in (heaps of brake dust & smell something horrible but very effective) & fresh brake fluid with a higher boiling point & they were fine on the track for the 20 minute sessions every hour they do at Eastern Creek. The only thing to remember is to do a cool down lap using the brakes as little as possible or the heat soak will get to them when you stop.
My rotors shuddered at high speed before I went out but the heavy use on the track actually straightened them out.
I've found different tyres like different pressures my last set got way to nervous at high speed if I went over 36 to 38 cold but I've had others that weren't happy unless they were over 40 so just go with what you're comfortable with.

[rob_liss_lms10]

If your car is an auto you will have a larger prob than if manual. I ran standard brakes and bendix performance pads and warped both front rotors. I now use dba slotted on front and bendix ultimates all round.I can comfortably do 3 hot laps of qld raceway with no fade, but I use compression braking more than I should. If nothing else make sure you use good pads (I'm going to try ebc reds on front and greens on back) good quality fluid and possibly braided lines.As the others have said, on the cool down lap try not to use your brakes at all, and do not...DO NOT.. use your handbrake when you park, they can weld themselves on and although rather amusing for others, is not pleasant for yourself when you go to drive away and cant. Most of all,drive to your ability and have fun.

[BA GT-HO]

Originally Posted by rob_liss_lms10

and do not...DO NOT.. use your handbrake when you park, they can weld themselves on and although rather amusing for others, is not pleasant for yourself when you go to drive away and cant.

Hahahaha! Great tip! Stupid things like that you don't think about could be really embarrasing.

The car is a manual, so I guess that helps a bit. Thanks for all the advice everyone.

[5L]

if you are going out to mallala, give me a pm first. might as well have 2 au xr8's out on the track.

[Sapper]

I went down to wakefield late last year and i found that being a little gentle on the brakes (gentle for track work) meant that at the end of a 10 or so lap stint the brakes were still good. That said, my rotors went from mildly warped to really badly warped. That was on stock pads and rotors, i now have dba slotteds and bendix ultimates but i haven't taken these to the track yet.

When I went out the temp was in the 30's and the only issue i had was that it took me 2 months to get all of the bits rubber out from inside the azzuros. However, thats probably not a product of the weather.

[xr8-200]

On monday I was on a track day at Wanneroo in my au xr8. I have stock brakes with standard rotors and pads and they stood up ok even though it was a hot day (at one point they measured the air temp at 47). Just make sure your brakes are in good condition and you have fresh brake fluid and you should be ok. It also depends on how long your stints will be, we did 5 laps on the short track and 4 on the long track so if your doing a lot more at a time it may mean you need more done to your brakes.

[BA GT-HO]

Cheers for the advice again, took the car out on the highway and did some heavy braking, and would you believe it, all signs of shudder went away.. I have a bit more faith in the stock brakes now.