BRAKE ROTOR FAILURE Issue date: 5/02
Investigation into several Club Racing/Drivers School incidents has revealed that lack of proper inspection and replacement of brake rotors has resulted in catastrophic failures under braking.
Rotors need to be checked for cracking. Race rotors rarely (read that never) last long enough to fail from wear, they get heat-checked and the “checks” turn into cracks, and the cracks turn into disaster (if not replaced in time). Replace the rotors when the cracks start to open up (heat checking will happen almost immediately, and doesn’t pose a problem) – it’s a bit of a judgment call. NEVER run if the cracks get to the outside edge of the rotor, replace the rotor.