Recommendations on Brake Pad Wear Limit for Track Use?

[qcwang]

I know for street use, brake pads must be replaced when there is only 2mm of pad left. Is there a general rule of thumb to follow of when to replace brake pads for track use?

I know there are many different factors such as type of pad, weight of car, speeds stopping from, calipers etc., but I wanted to get an idea if I should change pads before my next auto X at Streets of Willow. I am a novice and this will be my third trip to SOW. I am using Mintex pads (regular, not racing) and from what I can see, I have 50% pad life left until 2mm in the front and slightly more in the rear. Using Motul RBF 600 also.

Thanks!!

[jaydubya]

I usually replace mine when they get to between 1/2-1/3 left. Thicker pads helps with heat management.

[tonythetarga]

Not sure about AX, but DE tech inspections usually stipulate a minimum of 50% pad. On factory or stock type pads, you get more wear (quicker wear) by subjecting it to successive hard stops. I would think 50% pad would be OK for an AX, but when they wear down (to, say 30%) you might try one notch up to something like a Hawk HP+.

[Eagledriver]

For racing I try to not get much below 50 percent. For AutoX I'd run them all the way down to 2mm.

-Andy

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Newbies tend to use a whole lot more brake than experienced drivers on the Big Tracks. I started a three-day weekend event with 50% pads left in the front. I was down to just about zero at the end of the second day; happily one of the other drivers gave me a set of 50% pads to swap in for the third day.

Street pads, first time driver. Waaaaaaaay too much braking... I will make sure not to start with 50% pads any more. Nor six-month-old brake fluid; I boiled the heck out of it that event, too!

--DD

[Jack Olsen]

I run them pretty much until the point where I suspect they'll go to the metal if I don't change them. But heat has never been an issue for my setup.

[crashmy911]

I would put in new ones. You never want to have problems with brakes when at the track. Its your life. Any way when you have new pads they just feel better!

[qcwang]

Thanks for all the advice. I figured for AX, 2mm would be ok since the few events I have done were low speed events. I just was curious as the SOW AX would be at higher speeds and part of the event would be set up like a DE. I will go ahead and change pads and bleed.

Jack- for my education, would you consider your driving style hard or easy on your brakes. Say if you had 50% wear left for a day at Willow Springs, would that be enough for you?

Thanks again everyone!!