Leveraging Data: Brake Application

Beginning racers may not understand just how critical braking is to fast lap times. Many come into the sport believing that the key is spending as little time on the brakes as possible. While that can be an important component, with experience comes the knowledge that how a driver gets on and comes off the brakes is just as important as where and when.Mazda Motorsports, with AiM Sports Training Manager Roger Caddell and 2014 Mazda Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge racer Randy Pobst, recently conducted a webinar on using data. We highlighted the discussion of the use of data in discovering issues with throttle application; now we turn to the brakes.As Caddell noted, it's one of the least watched areas in data and possibly the biggest area to find lower lap times for amateur racers. "The application of the brake and release of the brake are two areas where they can make the most gain," he said.