I'm taking my C4S to Monticello (www.monticellomotorclub.com) for the first time and I need some advice. I DO NOT plan to be driving anything higher than 8/10ths. I plan to just "have fun" and get educated on how the car feels so as to help me in realworld situations [ok, mostly to have fun].

Having said that, I normally use Hawk Blue pads for driving events. Yes, I know they are killer on the wheels, but they consistently stop like you are dropping an anchor. For brake fluid, I typically use ATE Super Blues.

Q1: Since I don't plan to be "driving hard", will I be ok with the stock brake pads? If not, what do you suggest for pads that I can drive on the street and track? I.e. - I'm getting old and lazy where I don't want to switch track pads back and forth.

Q2: Will I be ok with Valvoline Dot 3/4 brake fluid which is available to buy anywhere? Or should I just suck it up and do the ATE Super Blues once more?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

First of all, you will have a total blast at this track, I highly recommend DOT 4, ATE super blue. Regardless of how you think you will be driving. The long straight at 135 -145 mph will require some serious braking, the short straight down hill will be at least 100 mph and a sharp left will also require some serious braking. I use stock Pagid, Textar pads and find that they stop me fine. I have just switched out the rotors and pads all around and getting prepped for the Glen, with a new M030 Row suspension as well. Again, this is a great track and worth the ride. Who are you running with? Have fun
James Greer

 

Enjoy! I'm jealous

 

You did that with what car? I am running an X51 C4S and this will be it's first time out. I've only gone about 130-135 at the Glen with a supercharged E36 M3.

Does this mean that the "stock" OEM brake pads are Pagid?

I am running with the Boston BMW club.

I wish I could take the Boxster S!!!

 

Its a great track-I had my m5 up there and pushed it pretty hard. The last 4-5 turns are great but require serious braking and concentration-- The back straight is one of the longest in north america-- i hit 145-150 and it was shorten a bit for us.
Mike

 

I just got back from Cups &saucers at watkins glen. had a ball.

some things i learned. dont be afraid of the rain. on the rain day, i drove the "dry" line perfectly securely - and fast.

i put a set of textars on the front and i was out stopping alot of people. any good fresh pad will do.

if you get scared, keep your right foot down. lifting is the spinner. it seemed every time i got the back end to move (due to a wet spot, etc), the power would shift to the fronts, and i would be pulled out of trouble.

i just kept pushing, and now that I am home, i believe i could have gotten alot more out of my c4s.

bottom line is, what i thought was 80% turned out to be more like 50%. if you can find some instructors to drive the car, you should be an education.

best of luck.

jb

 

I think you will be fine if the stock pads still have plenty of meat left on them.

I would make sure that the brake fluid is fresh. ATE is good.

You will find that the car on stock suspension tends to push when trying to turn in. Inherent character of the AWD.

Try trail brakeing and lift to get the rear end to start coming around,, and then just nail the gas and let the AWD pull you thru the corner.

Be safe and have fun!