Hi Roy, interesting, could you elaborate on the braking technique please !?

 

I'll try. I historically brake very hard very late, I'm typically off the brake as I turn in and on the throttle around the apex.

They brake very, very, very hard at the initial brake in point which is typically before I brake. For example at one hairpin I braked at the end of the curb, they braked in the middle of the curb a good 2-3 car lengths before I did.. They stay on the brakes though out the corner and carry more speed at the apex than I do. they are also smoother and the car feels more balanced.

When I say very, very hard I mean you shoot forward in the seat but only for an instant. It's a 10 out of 10 for an instant and then they progressively back out from 10 to much less throughout the corner. They are off the brakes around the apex and back on the throttle.

The point is I'm harder longer which creates a lot more heat in the brakes. I was told by several instructors that they can run all day long on standard brakes and pads without brake problems. On street cars I cook the brakes using my method...

 

I just read something along these lines last week. Apparently by getting the majority of braking done sooner, the chassis is able to settle quicker, which then allows the car to be more balanced and planted under increasing throttle coming past the apex.

 

This is great info and clearly this class was of huge value.
It explains why passing always happens in braking zones.
The guy driving the right way gets passed under braking while the late braker passes but then has to block at the apex, because he is all crossed up. He was slower, for that turn, but he got in front.

 

Bingo.

 

I was having significant brake fade with Pagid 29s, castrol race fluid and ss lines, was also a late braker and driving in sports plus and letting the PDK handle the shifts. I was in a group with another 991 owner and he suggested the earlier braking and also grabbing 2nd as soon as the revs allow which is quite a bit earlier than the PDK was doing it. The fade definitely lessened, still there but a better. I upgraded to the 2 piece girodiscs and Pagid RS14s and at a track event on Thursday the difference was transforming, no brake fade at all. I think it was a combination of things that solved the problem but the early braking has made a huge difference in entry and exit speeds. Last piece, I am running Pirelli Corsa zeros, have about 5 days on them since they want on this past winter. They are available in the stock size, are holding up relatively well and have a lot more grip that the stock tires. I'm hoping the Michelin Cups 2s will be available by the time these wear out.

 

Thx for your feedback Roy! Wish there were more threads like this !

 

+1 Great info! Thanks.

 

Great thread. I did the PSDS 2 day beginners course back in '09 and that is exactly the type of braking the instructors stressed would work best with a rear engine like the 911. Since then the only instruction I have received has been from instructors at DE events, and even though many of those were 911 drivers, their techniques are often late braking and carrying less speed in the turn and then getting heavy on the throttle when straight. Not the best way of handling a corner in a rear engine car, as has been noted above. I've got some bad habits to break, I'm gonna have to strongly consider doing the 3 day advanced at barber...