I just ordered a set of raybestos st-43 race pads. They came highly recommended by porterterfield and my local race shop. Both of them said they like them better than the hawk blues, and pfc 01's and now run them on their race cars! I'll be putting them through their paces next weekend and will give a full report. I was hesitant to give up my R4 pads after many years but I need a higher temp pad in the rear. I was warned that they have very high mu and will bite very hard and may require some getting used to. Hopefully I'll adjust quickly to their modulation.
Full review to come..

 

Will look forward to the review.

I had good luck with the Ferodo 2500 this past weekend. Will see how they hold up over time.

 

Anyone out there have experience with any of the Carbotech options?

I'll be trying out the XP9's myself this weekend.

Sean

 

I ran XP9s for awhile. They left deposits on my front brakes (stoptechs) that I had to remove using garnet paper (they wouldn't come off even after leaving the xp9s on for a couple weeks) and the rear pads (non-track) got so hot at Blackhawk that the backing plate melted onto the caliper piston. The final straw for me is that I only got about 2.5 days out of the front pads. I'm trying Panther+ pads in the rear next as part of my search for a decent non-track rear pad (the XP9s lasted about 2 days in back).

Several other people have had pad deposit problems with the XP9s but the problem I experienced with the rear brakes has nothing to do with the pads, just the heat capacity in the stock rear brakes. Do yourself a favor and check the pads after every session to make sure they aren't warping. I hope you get longer life out of the pads than I did.

 

I had bad pad deposits on the front rotors from my HP+ pads last event and was hoping the XP9 would cure some of that. The rears did fine, and expect they will continue to be OK since I have the Track model Brembo's. I did manage to use about 1/3 to 1/2 of the HP+ pads in one weekend. Not really acceptable.

We all have different driving styles, so maybe the XP9's will be fine for me. The nice thing is that they didn't have any in stock last night when I called, but Matt at Carbotech said he would make sure they made some and he would bring them to me at the track if he can't get them shipped out in time. Nice customer service! I guess being a fellow Carolinian don't hurt either.

Sean

 

I have had a positive experience with Cobalt Friction VR's in front and GT-Sports in the rear. The combination provides strong braking and good feel. They are finally wearing down after 2 DE's and 4 open lapping days (no sessions).

 

I have said it before and I will say it again. I love my Cobalt GT-Sports.

 

If you're running an AutoX, GTSports are fine (VRs are better, and yes they're still grippy when cold). At the track however, I can melt a set of GTSports.

I am running the VRs front and rear now, and Matt from Carbotech brought me a set of front and rear XP10s for me at Road Atlanta, which are still in box. Once I burn up my VRs, then I'll throw in the XP10s for a comparison. Results pending.

 

Yep, full track lapping generates a lot more heat than autoXing.

I really liked my VRs last week-end. I had zero pads fade (not surprising considering the slow pace I kept) and a great initial bite.

The OEM fluid didn't survive long tough...

 

Wee, just got back from getting new brake fluid.

Semi-cold VRs squweeeeel like crazy !!!

I'm swapping the stock Brembos this afternoon...