I've spent a while searching and reading all the braking threads I could find, but I can't find much on dedicated track pads, only on compromise pads. The main suggested pads seem to be Hawk HP+ and Hawk Blues. People mentioned that the blues are much more hardcore, but no one really seemed to know much about them.

I will be changing my brake pads at the track, for track use only, so I can use as aggressive a pad as I want. I will also be using Toyo RA-1 tires, so I need something that will still be able to easily lock up the brakes to ABS after 20 minutes of lapping on RA-1s.

So, are the Hawk blues what I want, or something completely different?

Also, related, should I bother with SS lines? If so, the mazdaspeed ones or different? I'll be using Motul RBF600 for fluid. I have SS lines on my Alltrac and it definitely beefed up the brake pedal, but the RX-8 is a wee bit newer and more advanced, so it may not help as much.

 

Keep in mind if you are going to autox the car in BStock the SS brake lines are not legal.

Hawk blues are dirty nasty rotor killers.... They are great on the track.

 

Oh, for some reason I thought SS lines were legal in stock. Oh well. Never mind on that.

How many track days do you get per set of rotors with the blues?

 

SS lines can be used in stock on cars 92' and older, old left over rule.

I don't do track days with the RX8, gave that up when we sold off the Vette and Miata.

 

I've been using Carbotech XP9s on mine and LOVE them.
Stock lines, Vavoline SynPower fluid, and Michelin Sport Cups.

2-day HPDE at Mt. Tremblant without a hint of fade, ever. In fact, I actually had a little bit too much brake sometimes. (First time using the pads, and it took me a while to adjust, I kept braking harder then I intended.)
Did another 2-day HDPE at my local track + 2 or 3 lapping days, as well as about 4000 street km (I got lazy).

The good:
Rotors were still in very good shape. (i.e. much easier on rotors than Hawks from what I've seen.)
Pads also in very good shape with tons of wear left.
Never had a hint of fade ever.
Awesome initial bite when hot.
Also had good bite from cold.

The bad:
Not cheap.
Took a little getting used to their characteristics, but, they were my first real aggressive track pad, so your experience may differ.

Other:
Dusty and noisy, but no worse than Hawks etc. that I've seen.

 

If your talking about the real track used in HPDE, then it's drivers preferance.

SS lines not necessary and a few people have had the lines cut or bent as they are not flexible.

SS lines will feel stiffer but do not improve braking.

I like ceramic pads and so do alot of other drivers. It's a better even feel.

I heard the other metalic pads can bite too much if you tap on the brakes in the corner.

They will eat rotors. Use porterfield Brakes. They have been in racing for over 20 years.

Even many Auto Xer's use them.

http://www.porterfield-brakes.com/

 

Aha, that'd explain why they said I could have them in stock on my 90 alltrac. =)

 

carbotech xp 8's on the front and carbotechs bobcats on the back. only change out the fronts for the track. I have many track days on this setup(plus streetmiles on the bobcats) ---hard on brake tracks like road atlanta. still have a lot left on them. less initial bite than the hawks but better progression--excellant trail braking pads. never a hint of fade---never---and they have gotten HOT. I also run RA-1's. They are more expensive than hawks. Talk with DPE on the vendor site--they are good folks and will give ecellant advice.
olddragger

 

I ended up getting Carbotech XP-10s, a few days ago. I called carbotech and asked to buy some 9s, but they said that the 10s were better in every way than the 9s, so I should get them instead. So I did. =)