I would not run blues unless you are running really sticky tires (RA-1s or better). I don't think that you can get them sufficiently warmed up w/o a lot more traction than normal street tires are going to give you.


Absolutely. On the street blues will eat your rotors up and because you will never get them warmed up, your stopping distances may actually increase.

Blacks are an odd little compound. I have been told (by someone whose opinion I respect in these matters) that they are good for medium to high temps, but not good for real high temps. They tend to degrade with repeated high heat cycles.

-b

 

I'd think again, read my previous response on them, pad fade may well be an issue for you. IMHO, if you're going to the track, there's no point in half assing it. If you're having to go slow because of a mechanical issue, especially if it's because YOU bought insufficient stuff, you'll be kicking yourself and not having nearly as much fun as you could have been having.

 

I am fully willing to make up a spare set of rotors/pads with Hawk Blues if the Yellowstuff doesn't work out. I figure they should at least work well for street/autocross with less rotor wear than Hawk HP+. If not, I will throw them in the trash and go back to Hawks. Given the low price and ease of replacement, I am not stressed out about this issue.

My friend tried that, and it ended up exactly like you said. The stopping distance wasn't that bad, but the rotors were ruined after driving 100 miles to and from Sebring.

 

I've driven my Porterfield R4's on the street a fair bit (to and from the track) and they've stood up fairly well. My rotors are somewhat grooved, but still well within the limits. They're terrible on the street for being noisy and dusty, but they do work and don't totally kill rotors.

 

That's actually strange, I ran HPS at Lime Rock and I was pushing the car to the best of my ability each time, I don't think I ever ran into pad fade. Then again, it was November, and the weather was very cool.

 

I've used a wide variety of pads on the track. By far the best track only pad I've used is the Hawk DTC60. Wears well, easy on rotors, excellent feel and stopping power.