Re: A4 Brake Question: Track Time WG

["RICHARD A. KESSLER, ESQUIRE" <rak19102@ibm.net>]

Paul_Royal@idx.com wrote:
> 
> To:   neqmembers
> Hi Folks,
> 
>      I've got a friend with a new A4 2.8 that would like to come to the
> NEQ/ WG Track Event this year.  She has never driven on the track and I was
> starting to advise her that she may want to get some hi-performance brake
> pads and fluid for her A4.
>      In talking to another friend last night who is a respected motor-head
> in my circles, he asked me why I thought that was necessary.  I couldn't
> answer except to say something like: "Everybody does it."
>      I know that my under-braked 20v Sedan would be a mess on the blue
> armco without a brake fluid and pad upgrade, but is this really true of the
> A4?
> 
>      All thoughts and opinions welcomed.
> 
>           Paul Royal
>           90-90Q20v (Rings of Torture)
> 
> PS:  Safety first...cost secondary.


Paul:

As the owner of a 2.8 A4q, I'll make the following comments:

1.  If your friend hasn't done any track events before, she is probably
not going to be pushing her car enough to need any brake pad upgrade.

2.  I would strongly suggest that she have the brake fluid completely
flushed and replaced prior to the WG event.  Factory fluid, or Castrol
GT LMA would probably do her just fine, unless she is going to be riding
her brakes.

3.  The stock brakes are actually very good, particularly if the car has
not been modified.  The real limiting factor is the all-season tires
that come on the car, unless its a sport package car w/ SP8000s or she
has put hi-perf tires on it.

4.  My factory pads got me through two days at Pocono (May), two days at
WG (July) and two more days at Pocono (Sept).  I put hi-perf pads on the
car for Lime Rock (Aug).  Probably didn't bed them in properly because
the left rear was smoking like crazy after my first lap.  The pedal was
real soft after that, making it difficult to feel confident that the
brakes would be there when needed.  I took the pads off and replaced
them with the originals for Pocono in Sept and did just fine.  I was
getting around Pocono much faster than in May, and was braking a lot
later and a lot harder.  Didn't experience anything more than slight
fade.  

Just my experience and opinion.

Richard Kessler