IMHO replacing pads at 50% is overkill for somebody who drives at 7/10ths. You may be able to get a day at around 0.25" pad, but like the guys said, it's a false economy. Brake performance plummets when pads get that thin, but if you don't push it hard you may be ok for a day or so. Check them after every session and make sure to have extra pads.

 

7/10ths is relative so it's hard to say.

I'd pack a spare set of pads and be prepared to change them. I'm a firm believer that full thickness pads are better than nearly worn out pads but I'm also willing to adjust my driving to whatever the conditions are, track or car. So I often run my pads near or to the backing plate and then swap between sessions.

 

If you have to ask this question the pads are too thin for any track.

You could drive at 5/10ths and use more pads than other drivers that are driving at 9/10ths.

 

Thanks for all of the help. I ordered a set of pads and am going to put them on before I leave. I don’t need any needless distractions. I want the experience to be fun not aggravating.

 

As long as you can change them yourself, get your money's worth! FWIW, i've bent the backing plates on 3.2 carrera pads from such tough use.

 

Excellent! That is the exact attitude i have in place. Plus i carry a spare set just in case i am met with a surprise...I'll need them some day anyway.

 

Once a season or so I go through all those 'spare' worn pad sets that I kept 'in case I need 'em'. One emergency set is enough, but I always seem to have a few. Have NEVER put one of these sets back on the car is several seasons. I ALWAYS wind up throwing them out.

So tonight, I preparing the car for the races this weekend. Where do the 'take off' pads go? Carefully wrapped, back in the box, and into the trailer. Funny.

 

All of the above makes sense. In particular, be wary of the "false" economics here. Pads are (relatively) inexpensive (I don't use the word cheap relating to track) compared to alternative consequences. Rule of thumb: if the pad is =< than the backing plate, change the pads. Brake pads are the easy part of the equation.

 

I just completed my first brake pad change and can't believe how easy it was.

 

Good for you! Like most things on these cars, once you've done it... it's a snap.

You should have seen me rebuilding brake calipers and replacing rubber brake lines last week. First brake line = 1 hour +, second brake line = 5 minutes.

The other benefit of doing your own pad changes (or any other wrenching on the car) is that you are looking things over on a regular basis. I found an inside cut on a tire this way once. Never would have noticed it otherwise.

Good going.