NSRA Autocross 2025 Is Bigger Better?
By Kevin Webb NSRA Autocross Director autocross@nsra-usa.com kevin@hotrodcustomgarage.com
I n our continuing effort to encourage NSRA mem- bers to give autocross a try out on the track you’ll soon start discovering things, both good and bad, about your vehicle. This month we are going to dis- cuss brakes, how they work and what bigger brakes really do for your vehicle. Going fast is always fun, but good brakes keep us safe and in control. The transition from street to track driven always brings up one important issue—heat. The more the braking system is used, the more heat is retained in the brake linings and drums or brake pads and rotors. You may have seen race cars with glowing front brake rotors, and we agree it looks cool, but every driver knows there are limits, even in the most high-performance applications. If you’ve ever pulled a heavy car hauler, boat or camper, you know that “Is this thing going to stop?” feeling. That’s called brake fade, and over time can damage your brake parts, drum or disc. So how do you know when a brake upgrade is needed? If you are just trying out autocross for the first time, you might notice your vehicle becomes harder to stop as the fun goes on throughout the day. Sometimes a distinct, burnt smell emits from the brakes and it should be considered a signal they are getting beyond safe operation. You’ll often notice at autocross events that we will run a few laps, then let the vehicle cool down. This is done to cool the brakes, the engine, and even calm the driver a bit. The harder you drive, the more energy you use per- sonally, so a few minutes to cool off every few runs is a good idea. With any upgrade to your vehicle, you might be tempted to go big or go home, but that might mean something else needs to be changed. A perfect
design has worked very good for years, but the rotor and caliper size were designed for well, a Mustang II. If you are running 14- or 15-inch wheels in the front, brake upgrade choices can be limited. Remember last month when we discussed tire/wheel size? Going to a bigger wheel opens your choices of big- ger brake rotor sizes. One thing to consider is a sim- ple brake pad upgrade, but a harder pad designed for heat can make noise and even wear out the rotor. I always encourage people to look at all our brake suppliers on the pages of StreetScene, give them a call, and let them recommend a brake pack- age that works both on the street and the track. What do bigger calipers and rotors do? A larger caliper does several things; it allows for larger pads and either increased piston size or number of pis- tons, allowing for greater brake pressure. You’ll notice many autocross vehicles don’t use a power brake booster, as some drivers like the better brake pedal response from manual brakes. Bigger rotors dissipate heat faster, and work in partnership with the added pressure from bigger calipers. The holes and/or slots you see aren’t just for looks, (but they are cool right?) they also help get rid of that heat. A couple other things to consider are the rubber brake hoses connecting the calipers to the vehicle. While they may work great on the street, the repeti- tiveness and higher pressures of autocross conditions can stress them a little. Stainless braided lines help to prevent any pedal issues and will usually last the life of the vehicle. Be careful about brake hose routing, that’s where our partners on the NSRA Safety Inspections can help. I always encourage people to take advantage of a free NSRA Safety Inspection at any of our events, and yes, we will gladly do one at the track! One last hint, did you know that ceramic coating applied to your wheels makes cleaning off brake dust a lot easier? See you next month!
example of this is our tried-and- true Mustang II suspension. The
Summit Racing Equipment offers Right Stuff disc brake conversion “Show ‘N Go Kits” for Mustangs that offer dramatically improved stopping performance and high-end looks without the high price. They feature cross drilled or solid rotors, powder coated single-piston calipers with pads, braided stainless steel hoses, Timken bearings, and necessary brackets and mounting hardware. Some kits include a master cylinder and brake booster. The Show ’N Go Kits are compatible with factory or aftermarket suspensions and require 15- inch or larger wheels.
16 DECEMBER 2025
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