[Bster13]

Hello,

I'm shopping for brake pads for my 2015 F56 JCW. Currently running the stock pads, but I am headed to Deal's Gap, otherwise known as "The Dragon" this fall:

It's an extremely tight road and for lack of a better description, some folks treat it as a public race course that can bite you if you're not careful.

With that said, I'm looking for two things:

- Reviews of the stock brake pads on The Dragon or HPDEs with street tires.
- Recommendations for aftermarket pads for aggressive street / HPDE conditions that will work in the Northeast winters as well.

*I plan to run Motul RBF 600, and 215/45/17 Falken RT615K tires (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=219).

Thus far I've found two aftermarket options for pads:
- Carbotech: http://www.ctbrakes.com/pads.asp?Make=Mini
- G-LOC (offshoot by technical engineers are Carbotech) http://www.g-locbrakes.com/products/brake-pads/search/

Thanks!

 

[vetsvette]

Not a bad video except for the parts where he was playing a little fast and loose with the double yellow. First commandment of the Dragon : Don't cross the double yellow!

Are you doing the MSSD in October? I've only done the Dragon once this year and didn't have any problems with the stock pads, so I'm sticking with them until they need replacing. Then, I'll probably go Carbotech. Maybe some one else will step up with some aftermarket JCW pads by then.
http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?13362-MSSD-14-REGISTRATION-NOW-OPEN-for-2016

 

[rtowell]

I've driven it before and stock pads are fine. You only need aggressive street/pads when you are running lap after lap with no break between, so you will not need them there. Keep in mind that aggressive street/HPDE pads are fairly hard and do not work well until up to temperature. I don't particularly like them on the street. On a road like the Dragon, they only work well if you have a clear road and no cops. Get behind someone going slower and they are worse than stock.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Bster13]

Agreed on the video, as a former motorcyclist, I always stay on my side of the yellow on the Dragon (well all roads for that matter, and this pic I could be a bit more to the right):

I haven't been down there in a few years, but I'll be at MSSD with two friends who have never drive the area, so looking fwd to it (that reminds me, need to register, have the hotel alread)!

I haven't had the car (new to me this year) on any roads like the Dragon that would push it or HPDE, so I guess I'll have to go off of recommendations on the interwebs.

Not a bad video except for the parts where he was playing a little fast and loose with the double yellow. First commandment of the Dragon : Don't cross the double yellow!

Are you doing the MSSD in October? I've only done the Dragon once this year and didn't have any problems with the stock pads, so I'm sticking with them until they need replacing. Then, I'll probably go Carbotech. Maybe some one else will step up with some aftermarket JCW pads by then.
http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?13362-MSSD-14-REGISTRATION-NOW-OPEN-for-2016

 

[Bster13]

Glad to hear the stock pads are up to the task and you have a point about getting stuck behind traffic. I hope to get on some of those roads early to avoid just that, but it's certainly a reality.

I've driven it before and stock pads are fine. You only need aggressive street/pads when you are running lap after lap with no break between, so you will not need them there. Keep in mind that aggressive street/HPDE pads are fairly hard and do not work well until up to temperature. I don't particularly like them on the street. On a road like the Dragon, they only work well if you have a clear road and no cops. Get behind someone going slower and they are worse than stock.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[rtowell]

Have fun ... it's a great road. I had the privilege of driving it before it was discovered. Challenging road and beautiful scenery Don't worry about the time ... enjoy the scenery.

 

[KYDan]

I have done it multiple times in both minis. The F56 JCW is a beast on the TOD. During the MOTD I ripped the inner liner on the OEM runcraps, luckily for me Michelin Onsite was there the next day at Fontana and replaced them with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ and it was like a different car. The JCW Bembros were up to the task with no difficulty. We did a total of 9 hard and fast run and staying on the right side of the double yellows is a must. The police will sometimes tolerate speed, but not crossing the lines. But, to answer your questions the stock JCW brakes are great. The stock brakes on the R56 JCW held up well at Kershaw just fine, the Bembros on the F are far superior.

 

[AarnMunro]

...you should try the 22km Nurburgring...here in the old Europe.

 

[KYDan]

Yes, I would love to and also a quick trip on the famed Autobahn. But first a trip around Scotland, so many roads and tracks beckon so little time and money!

 

[AarnMunro]

And the Stelvio in Italy? 48 narrow corners one side and less narrow Bormio side...
Ando never seen police...
...I have done yesterday!

 

[KYDan]

Yes, and the Stelvio as well, so many good twisty roads, now if I just had a Ferrari Berlinetta to drive on it! Actually, my F56 would be a hoot on it, most likely it will never happen, but one can always dream. Twisties are fun, extreme twisties are extreme fun. And, minis are built for twisties.

 

[Bster13]

Reporting back... with Motul 600 and the stock F56 JCW Brakes, everything was awesome braking wise. Though there was tons of heat and stink pouring out of the wheel well, and I toasted my RT615Ks, I wanted for nothing, absolutely nothing.




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