THSCC Forums

Ok, I am doing my first track event in Feb (VIR full). This will be in my Civic with Azenis tires. Obviously with this being my first event, I am going to be focusing on having fun, staying safe, etc. vs. trying to set track records.

I have always autocrossed with OEM or other cheap pads, but am a bit puzzled by what to do for just this one event. I want to start with new and bedded in pads/shoes vs. what I have today (fine, but worn), but I also do not want to buy pads/shoes optimized for one track event. So that leaves me looking at OEM and what places like Autozone offers.

Short of just buying based upon price, I am trying to come to grips with the difference between Organic, Semi-metallic, Carbon-Metallic and Ceramic materials.

My requirements...

1. Will be fine for daily driver after the event as don't plan to swap pads/shoes back and forth.
2. Perform adequately (safe) on track for a single weekend.
3. Will not excessively wear existing rotors.
4. Not expensive

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

Richard, drop number 4 criteria imediately from your vocabulary. it's track time, baby.

but in all seriousness, i would reccomend you speak to someone at Tire Rack. i can't speak for Hondas, otherwise i would suggest something.

i personally did my first 2 events on new OEM (Pagid) pads at Rockingham. i was however very green with only 6 or 7 autoX's. i may have used the OEM's for my first trip to VIR. don't remember.

i would not place too much emphasis on uber performance parts just yet. preparation for your second track weekend will be different from your first i would guess. bring a spare set of pads as back-up. besides, it is a whole lot of fun when your brakes are a challenge. great learning tool.

if Hawk makes a pad for your car then look at an HP or HP Plus.

My first track event I used Axxis Ultimates. When they started fading, I backed off (it took a bunch of laps). A lap or two of taking it easy later, they were back to normal. I wasn't pushing extremely hard, looking back now. And this was on the 2.5RS, which is much heavier and has a little more power than your Civic. There's no way in Hell I would use those pads on track at this point, though. It would be way too boring.

Yeah right, just one event, not a chance. They dont call it crack for nothin'

However you picked a good first event:

VIR Full is pretty easy on brakes. There is only 1 HARD braking zone (T1) and you will probably be braking from somewhere around 100 mph. There is also a ton of open track to let the brakes cool. Plus you dont have a powerfull or heavy car, so that makes life easier on brakes.

Would a Hawk HP Plus be too harsh on the street?

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Oh, I am all about the addiction! This is just one event in this car. Then all time and money will be on the 914 as it will be the REAL track car.

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

Richard,

Learn from my mistake...take an extra set of pads with you!!!!!! That way, if you burn through one set you can still get home safely!!! I missed out on my last session on VIR-S because I burned through my pads (both front and rear!!) and had to drive home on the backing plates!!!

You find out REAL quick to plan your stopping WAY in advance that way!!

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Todd Breakey
STS 42 - 1992 Sunburst Miata
Dammit!
"You souldn't play leap frog with a porcupine. You might get hurt." - Eliza

Uh, Todd, he's not driving an over-HPed under-braked Mustang GT. It's a Honda Civic.

+1 vote for Axxis Ultimates + a spare in the toolbox. Or any other "high performance" street pad like Hawk HP+. They will do fine in green group. Even if you're the fastest guy out there, there will be enough traffic that you won't need full race pads until you're in yellow.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Don't EVER go to the track without a spare set of pads in the box...

Thanks for the replies. I think I have enough to go on.

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

Like they said and bring spare parts, Hawk HP+ should work just fine. I used them for a few years on the Porsche ( track and AX) with no problem. This year I will try something new and it look like they will be free!!!!!

Patrice

Richard, first, congrats on trying the track thing! I think you will find its a LOT of fun.

On pads I think Mike W has it about right. You won't be pushing the car as hard as someone in the white group (but it will seem like it!) so speeds won't be excessive.

I disagree a bit about there only being one hard braking zone. turn 1 as Ryan said, absolutely. but braking for turn 11A (Oak Tree) is pretty hard too. Plus not a place you want to EVER loose your brakes!!

If it were me I'd spring for a set of hawks or some other true race pad. If you find you really don't like driving on track (little chance of that) you can always sell the pads.

But if you do go with a strong street pad ABSOLUTELY bring an extra set....or two! You don't want to miss any track time because you had to run to Advanced Auto in Danville to get pads.

See you in February!

Ron

The braking zone at the end of the back straight is pretty hard too, but with all the cooling time in between VIR-F is pretty easy on brakes.

I have used PFCM pads from AutoZone at VIR-F and VIR-S and they did "OK". Of course they weren't as good as my XP-8s, but they weren't $180 either.

For your first event just making sure you have a back-up plan is key. Spare pads, fluids, bleeding equipment, etc. Watching the others run while you're broken down sucks...I know. Who else brings four extra wheel bearings to the track!?

Just like the AX community Richard, all the HPDE/TT experienced folks are glad to help. If you have a question or problem don't hesitate to ask.

The main goal is always...JUST HAVE FUN !!!!!

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

Good point. The Mustang is teh suck when it comes to braking!! I will be doing something different the next time it makes it to the track. God only knows when that will be though.

_________________
Todd Breakey
STS 42 - 1992 Sunburst Miata
Dammit!
"You souldn't play leap frog with a porcupine. You might get hurt." - Eliza

I used the AXXIS Ultimates on my Miata for 1 year of AX, some street driving and my first track event at Roebling. By the end of that event, they were pretty much worn out. They are easy on rotors, especially compared to the Cobalts and other race pads and are reasonably priced. Put those on, and as long as your old pads are not down to the backing plates, you can use those as emergency/get home pads if you destroy yours on VIRF. The only event that I have trashed my brakes on in one event was Road Atlanta and the pads were only half worn but the front rotors were gone, and these were the Cobalt race pads.