Brakes for sports racing are a crucial component to ensure safety and performance during competition, where the difference with conventional brakes lies in the fact that they must be able to withstand high speeds and hard braking.
They are usually disc brakes (Brembo), since they offer greater braking capacity and heat resistance compared to drum brakes. They also use high-performance brake pads and brake fluid specially designed to withstand high temperatures.
In addition, they usually have cooling systems, such as air or fluid ducts to help dissipate the heat generated during the intense use during the race, keeping the brakes in good condition and avoiding premature wear or melting of the pads, as they must constantly be able to stop a car (single-seater or conventional) from 300 kilometers per hour at 60 or 70 km/h in a few seconds.
In racing, drivers can also adjust brake settings to suit track conditions and their driving style, such as pressure, brake distribution between the front and rear wheels, and overall roll.
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Components
A sports racing braking system is made up of several essential components that ensure optimum performance, as well as safety and confidence in stopping the car. These are: Discs, pads, pump, fluid, cooling, control.
Brake discs: Main part of the system for racing, since they are capable of withstanding high speeds and hard braking, made of steel or carbon-ceramic to improve heat resistance.
Pads: They are in charge of coming into direct contact with the discs to generate the necessary friction to stop the car.
Brake pump: It produces the pressure required to activate the brake pads, being more powerful than those used in street vehicles. Fluid: It is the fluid used to transmit the pressure from the pump to the pads, specially designed to withstand high temperatures, as well as resistance to degradation.
Cooling systems: Help dissipate heat generated during intense racing use, which can be air or fluid lines to help keep the brakes in good condition.
Control systems: Allow drivers to adjust settings to suit track conditions and their driving style.
Written by | Ronald Ortega
