EBC Orangestuff race brakes reduce lap times on MR2 for Race Driver Lloyd Clarkson

Posted by admin

September 28, 2011

After using EBC Yellowstuff for numerous races , driver Lloyd Clarkson decided to try the new EBC Orangestuff grade race pads to make a direct comparison.

The result was that

1) Lloyds lap times came DOWN by as much as EIGHT SECONDS in the dry PLUS

2) Disc temperatures went DOWN.

3) Brakes were more Porgressive

The tests were completed at Pembrey Race Circuit in South Wales over the Sept 24th weekend and also due to the rain gave us a chance to prove the Orangestuff pads in the wet.

Needless to say these are outstanding results on what is classed as a lighter car and provides proof that the new EBC Orangestuff not only stop heavier beasts such as the Nissan GTR on the track but is equally effective on lighter vehicles.

EBC Orangestuff is the latest in a range of new performance brake pad compounds made by British brake manufacturers EBC Brakes who produce the largest range of brake pads in the world in their Bristol UK facility. Orangestuff is due for general release as a Race Only material before the end of 2011.

Here is Lloyds full story on the Race and brake tests

We had a great weekend, minimal damage and all manors of weather conditions over the 3 days – it was very interesting!So I have attached a spreadsheet showing the conditions on the day, temps where applicable and lap times. A basic summary from my point is that the lap times did improve dramatically as soon as I swapped pads from Yellow to Orange. There is a little bit of track improvement to bare in mind, as it was my first time at Pembrey, but by session 2 (still on yellows) I was happy I was pushing hard. So on average I saw a -1second improvement when switching to Oranges. I think this was due to be able to push harder around the 2 hairpins, both of which were heavy on the brakes from high speed entrances, and trail braking seemed to be the quickest way to sling the car round.

Unfortunately we couldn’t collect temperature data after every run, as on most of the races we were held in parc ferme for so long that the temps dropped right down. Oh and one race I may have ended up having a brief conversation with the Clerk of the Course straight after. Apparently he wasn’t too happy with me spinning and dragging half the adjacent field back onto the racing line We did collect some data on the qualy and test sessions.

The main noticeable difference for me was increased progressive feel and the lack of lock-up. My car doesn’t run any abs, and when braking for hard hairpins before (Mallory) locking up was an issue. With the Orange pads, I found the pedal feel was far more progressive without fear of the wheels locking. It was more noticeable when it rained, as I was using trail braking to shift weight onto the front to stop understeer, and I felt more control with the Orange pads giving a light drag to shift weight.

The pad temps did drop slightly when shifting to Orange, but the sessions were fewer laps, so not an identical comparison, but even when doing a short session before, I found pads were up to operating temps within 3-5 laps (maybe I brake too much lol)

In general I really liked the way the pads felt, I thought they were more progressive but still performed well when stomped on (usually due to an MR2 suddenly facing me on the hairpin!) . Wear-wise I haven’t had a chance to pull them back out yet, but from a first visual inspection they seemed to hold up well considering we had 3 days of heavy use.

I hope that is enough feedback for now? I have the final round at Cadwell Park in 2 weeks, and I will keep you informed on how they perform.

We also have the Birkett endurance race coming up soon, and I will run them there also.

Kind regards

Lloyd