What are some factors that affect a car's speed and performance? Most people would identify engine power and fuel type, as well as aerodynamics. But one particular detail often gets looked over, because it is completely counterintuitive: a car's brakes.
Yes, brakes are designed to make a car stop. But this actually has a significant impact on how fast a car can go. The most reliable brakes give drivers more confidence, and allow them to take greater advantage of their vehicle's abilities.
This is the argument that Neill Briggs, director of product development and co-founder of Briggs Automotive Co. Ltd., used when explaining the advantages of the carbon-ceramic brakes that are an option on the BAC Mono supercar.
The BAC Mono can reportedly go faster than a Ferrari, and this can be attributed to the confidence that drivers have in the car's brakes. Briggs says that the brakes' high coefficient of friction allows them to absorb much more heat than traditional steel brake plates. As a result, they hold on to their stopping power for much longer.
Whether you are racing a supercar or driving a consumer vehicle down the road, having quality brakes is crucial for performance and safety.