Stop it! No, you stop it!
Anyone who has kids (or grew up with siblings who were unable to keep their hands to themselves) knows road trips involve someone screaming “stop” often and loud. It’s arguably the most spoken (or yelled) word during any automotive family adventure. It’s a great American tradition. Despite that, since we’re entering summer’s final stretch, it’s time to plan your next road trip – but this one is the most awesome of road trips because it involves driving your street car on the race track (where stopping is half the fun) – and doing it with a discount.
Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of SCCA®, is teaming up with Track Night in America® Driven by Tire Rack in August to offer an escape from the summer madness thanks to a coupon code that gives $25 off the purchase of a newly-created Track Night event registration during the month of August.
What’s the coupon code? hawkaugustnights2024
If you’re an SCCA member, this $25 Hawk discount comes in addition to the $20 Club members automatically save from each Track Night entry.
What should you do with your savings? Improve your stopping power, of course.
Hawk Performance is synonymous with brakes, and for good reason. The company offers performance brake pads for oodles of applications, as well as performance rotors and brake fluid – all of which, it turns out, you’ll need when driving on the track.
Hawk offers a variety of performance pads, but which one’s right for you? “For novices, HP+ should be enough for most drivers that are dabbling in racetrack stuff,” explains DJ Alessandrini, who not only holds the title of Technical Support and Customer Service for Hawk, but is also an SCCA member whose quite busy on the racetrack and autocross course. When your speed begins to outpace performance pads, though, Alessandrini notes that Hawk does offer track pads – with a huge caveat for those taking part in Track Night events. “Track pads can be used for transit but shouldn’t be used for daily driving use.”
Combine the HP+ or track pad with Hawk’s Talon rotors and brake fluid, and you’ll be set.
It's important to note that while race brake pads are not intended for street use, Hawk’s DOT 4 race brake fluid can be used on the street if you keep up with your car’s maintenance. With a dry boiling point of 500 degrees F, the company’s HP520 DOT 4 street brake fluid is potent, but HP600 race brake fluid ups that temperature ante to 572 degrees F, with a wet boiling point of 383 degrees. HP660, meanwhile, steps it up yet another notch with 608 degrees F dry and 383 degrees wet heat capacity.
“Fresh DOT 4 – less than a year old – should be in the car when going to the racetrack regardless of what pads are on the car,” Alessandrini adds. “Since all modern high performance brake fluid is hydroscopic, the higher the temperature rating, the quicker it’ll absorb moisture. HP520 is a perfect option for street use, HP600 is a good cross over, and HP660 is great for race cars because they’re maintained so frequently.”
Since Hawk saved you cash on the Track Night entry fee, consider splurging on the fluid.
So leave the kids at home and head to the track (with a discount!) this summer. Thanks to Hawk Performance, it’s time for YOU to stop it.
Photo by Michael Berchak
