How does a Non Servo Assisted Race Car Brake System Feel Compared to a Servo Assisted Brake Pedal?

Grant Loc
June 2, 2011

Hello Racers and all you Petrol Heads.

Over the years I have been asked many times the same question: "How does a non servo assisted race brake system feel compared to a servo assisted production brake pedal"?

First thing though is to explain why you would fit a non servo assisted brake system.

NON SERVO RACE BRAKE SYSTEM

In a race car you need to have a direct link / feel with the brakes. This is vital so you can feel the car, displace the cars balance correctly and not over brake or under brake the car.

When you drive a race car you need to have direct control over the car and feel the cars changes in weight distribution. One of the main techniques to achieve this is via the brakes, however if you over brake you car will slow down to much and you will be over taken. This is a common problem when driving a servo assisted race car.

All top race cars from F1 to Clubman use the non assisted servo system, please remember Race cars are lighter than production cars. They have all the unnecessary parts like rear seats, carpets etc. removed and lighter components fitted. In most cases a race car is no heavier than 1200 kgs, they are normally less than 800 kgs.

SERVO ASSISTED PRODUCTION BRAKE SYSTEM

If you had the servo assisted brake system you would have very little feel and control over the brakes, they will stop the car but in a race car you need that but mainly the brakes are to weight shift or position the car to take the corner as fast as possible.

HOW DOES A NON SERVO RACE BRAKE SYSTEM FEEL?

You will have a different feel to the brakes than on a servo assisted system. The ratio of the pedal is the lever that is operating the brakes. So if you have a 5:1 pedal ratio you will get five times more pressure delivered to the Master Cylinder push rods from the effort given to the pedal pad.

As I mentioned before you will have a direct link with the brakes, however you will have to apply more pressure than on a servo assisted brake set up.

This information is only for race cars and I do not advise a non servo system to be used on the public highway.

Please leave comments below.

Thank you for your time.

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Grant Loc has been involved with Motorsports for over 15 years and the Director of obp Ltd. If you like this article please go to our web site and register to our email news letter so you will get information like this on a regular basis. We also have two free reports to get, go to our web site http://www.obpltd.com to find out more. obp Ltd Manufacture and Supply Quality Race Car Products to leading Motorsport distributors all over the World