Racing Brake Rotors

Unless you hit the race track, the original brakes are more than enough to safely stop a vehicle when needed. However, when ultimate braking power for shorter stopping distances on the track is required, don’t rely on OEM parts that can handle common everyday driving conditions, but fail when it comes to racing ones. Rotors are no exclusion. These parts, also known as discs, are squeezed between the pads every time the driver pushes the brake pedal, thus allowing him/her to slow or stop a vehicle. Original discs are typically made from cast iron. Some of them feature cooling fins. However, they cannot handle the extreme heat generated by high speeds and just fail.

Racing brake rotors are made of extra durable materials to provide the required strength. In addition, they differ in their design so you can choose the finest ones that perfectly suit your needs. As an example, drilled rotors that feature a series of holes on their surface that significantly improve their cooling. These components were widely installed in racing vehicles. Today, they are mostly used only for spirited driving. This is because they are prone to cracks when subjected to repeated hard braking.

Most racers choose slotted rotors. Just as their name suggests, they feature slots carved into their surface. They have sharp edges which shave down glaze from pads during braking. It means that you’ll get fresh pad material for ultimate grip every time you push the pedal. It results in effective stopping power even under harsh driving conditions. This is the main reason why this style of rotors works very well for not only competition cars but also heavy truck, off-road vehicles, etc. There are also drilled and slotted discs available. They give the best of two worlds. However, they aren’t recommended for racing as they are vulnerable to cracking, just like the drilled ones.