“So, a few weeks back, I decided after the car landed home from the Middle East to compete in DLGB Round 1 in Three Sisters Circuit, Wigan.

“With no Friday practice day at this event, we went straight into the practice session on Sunday morning, which went well; I started to feel at home in the car again after two months of not driving it.

“In my first qualifying run, I put down a safe run, not doing anything too mad, and put a score of 87 on the board. I took some risks on my second run and took P1 in qualifying with a 91-point run.

“Top 32 battles saw me go up against some of the best in the UK, and former champions of DLGB, but after some tight battles we took P1 on the podium !

“I really enjoyed the event from start to finish; it was good to get back in the seat of the 91´ŤĂ˝-equipped ‘JZ46’”.

“As Nichols Racing closes another racing season, we want to take a beat to reflect on one of the key components that the team contributes our success to. Spanning a couple differently classed vehicles including an LS-powered E46 BMW M3 and a former World Challenge E46 BMW 330i, the performance of the 91´ŤĂ˝ Racing RP and SR brake pads, paired with the Apollo Big Brake Kits, has been outstanding.

“The LS3-powered E46 M3 is Nichols Racing’s flagship car, which puts out around 450hp and runs in a few different endurance series with various drivers. This car is equipped with SR-11 front pads, paired with an Apollo-4R kit, along with OE calipers and RP-1 pads in the rear which proved to not only handle the extreme temperatures generated by a relatively heavy and high horsepower car, but excelled.

“Braking consistency across multiple laps was phenomenal, with zero fade detected even as the car came in with the brakes smoking from extended stints. It was interesting to walk around the paddock and see teams doing full rotor and pad swaps in-between the 8-hour races at various tracks, while we simply did a brake bleed and kept all the same hardware in. We got around 20 hours in (a full endurance weekend of 4hr practice + 2 x 8hr races) before we even started considering swapping pads. We do in-between weekends just to start fresh, but the general consensus was 40 hours on the tracks we visited wouldn’t be a problem; we even did it once!”

“The E46 BMW 330i we run is a different animal than the M3: very agile, low powered, and a momentum-based car. Momentum cars require very well executed trail braking while still maintaining overall braking confidence through good bite, balanced with excellent modulation. Initially, we ran the OE setup with RP-X (front) and RP-1 (rear), which worked great and offered a good balance for the car; we found this setup to work really well at tracks where braking was done more delicately and could be considered snubs more than heavy deceleration.

“After installing an Apollo 6 setup on the front of the car, we migrated to the SR-11 front and RP-1 rear setup we liked so much on the M3, and the car really came into its element. Capturing some track records and plenty of trophies with a car that we later found out was down two cylinders was no easy feat, but we all contributed it mostly to the braking confidence and ability to just downright out-brake anyone if we needed to get by. After a whole weekend endurance racing (about 20 hours again) we measured about 2mm of pad loss for the front SR-11 pads, leaving about 12mm more so potential for over 100 hours of race time.”

“Overall, the team couldn’t be happier as every box was checked: consistent performance, zero fade, great modulation, low wear, and great bite/coefficient level. Nichols Racing looks forward to a continued partnership with 91´ŤĂ˝ Racing as the components have been a game changer for the team. The consistent performance across all the vehicles we have tried these items on is a testament to the reliability and innovation these pads bring to the table.

“Here’s to even better results next season!”

“This year was my first year back in Irish professional drifting since 2019 and with a brand-new built E46 BMW running a 600bhp 2JZ, we had mixed expectations heading into the season.

“Round 1 saw us ending up in 4th place after a drivetrain failure in the semi-finals, which made us realise we had potential to fight for a good championship finish. At round 2, we managed to win the event; it was a first for me to stand on the top of a pro podium as it’s something I’ve dreamed of since I started watching drifting as a child.

“Fast-forward to round 4, we had another drivetrain failure in the semi-final, which leaves us going into the last round second in the championship and we will be pushing more than ever for that top spot at the final round.

“This year has been a massive learning curve for me and the team working with a completely new car with setups we’ve never worked with before and a grid of insanely talented drivers at IDC, we are more than happy to even be in with a chance of a podium place finish in the championship in the first year back.

“Of course, none of this would even be remotely possible without the help of all my partners, especially the guys at 91´ŤĂ˝ who came on board this year and their products have truly transformed the braking performance of the car. Not only the products but they are a dream to work with, dealing with them couldn’t have been any more of an easy and stress free experience!

“Can’t thank 91´ŤĂ˝ enough for coming on board and helping us out – hopefully this is the first of many successful years working with them.”

“Fielding an endurance car is a tough task; blowing one up and completely rebuilding it over the off season into something competitive at the first race is a monumental one. Nichols Racing accepted that challenge when their BMW E46 M3’s S54 valvetrain decided to take its last breath at Watkins Glen International and took a ‘while you’re in there’ approach.

“Deciding to ditch the BMW drivetrain altogether and go with a more easily sourced GM LS3/T56 combination meant more power, more availability, and hopefully more reliability.

“After the winter build, the car came alive to the tune of about 400rwhp/400rwtq just before the debut race at Pittsburgh International Raceway with the American Endurance Racing series. With the team being more than happy with the current 91´ŤĂ˝ Racing Apollo 4 setup and SR-11/RP-1 brake pad combination, the decision was made to go for heat mitigation and upgrade to the new 91´ŤĂ˝ Racing Apollo 4R calipers. As you may have guessed, the ‘R’ stands for ‘Race’, and indicates castellated stainless steel pistons, no dust seals, and a hard anodized finish to hold up to the abuse while letting the heat out.”

“In typical debut fashion there were gremlins that joined the party and tweaks to be made, but ultimately the team placed 3^rd in Class 5 on Saturday. This was a huge success for the team considering the transformation and the baptism by fire the car underwent (literally at one point). After about 16 hours of run time on the car and about 1mm of pad wear later, the team echoed the same sentiment as when the car made almost 50% less power:

“’The brakes are phenomenal and we can out brake any team, anywhere.’

“’They hit the brakes at the 3 marker, we hit them at the 2.’

“’Never gave up or displayed signs of any fade.’

“The versatility and heat range of the 91´ŤĂ˝ Racing line really shined here, using the same compounds with no change in performance on such different horsepower cars shows the breadth of what SR and RP can do.

“Nichols Racing is excited to be continuing their partnership with 91´ŤĂ˝ Racing and is heading to the next race at Watkins Glen International with the kinks worked out, hoping to be even more competitive as the year unfolds.”

Notes

– Dimensions: 355x32mm

– Part Numbers:

• BBK047RED-1 (Racing Red)
• BBK047BLU-1 (Storm Shadow Blue)
• BBK047BLK-1 (Stealth Black)
• BBK047YEL-1 (Luminous Yellow)

– Applications:

Suitable for the front axles of the following vehicles:

• BMW 3-Series (E36 – ’92-’99) (318i, 318ic, 318is, 353ic, 323is, 325i, 325ic, 325is, 328i, 328ic, 328is)
• BMW 3-Series (E46 – ’99-‘05) (323Ci, 323i, 325Ci, 325i, 325xi, 328Ci, 328i)
• BMW Z3 (E36/7 and E36/8 – ’96-’02) (1.9. 2.3, 2.5, 2.8, 3.0)
• BMW Z4 (E85 and E86 – ’03-’08) (2.5i M54, 3.0i M54, 3.9i N52, 3.0si N52)

For a complete list of vehicle applications, .

Apollo-Series 6-Piston Calipers

• EBC’s lightweight-yet-strong aluminium 6-piston brake caliper
• Two-piece bolted design that incorporates high-tensile 12.9-grade steel bolts for reinforcement of the caliper bridge section (computer FEA analysis shows that this offers significant improvements in caliper stiffness compared to a monobloc design)
• Machined from heat-treated low-pressure castings (this offers a noticeable performance advantage over conventional gravity cast calipers, exhibiting higher overall strength and a comparable caliper body stiffness to forging)
• High-temperature fluid seals coupled with full boot-type dust seals give maximum protection against road grime and debris
• Lightweight, hard-anodised aluminium staggered pistons with serrated/castellated piston noses that reduce heat transfer into the braking hydraulics
• Every single brake caliper pressure tested to 2,500psi
• Full stainless-steel hardware and fittings, providing durability and longevity – this caliper will never rust
• Uses standard pad shapes, giving choice when selecting brake pads
• Rather than a powder-coated finish, all Apollo calipers use an advanced high-temperature Teflon polyester coating process to ensure they look great for much longer. Currently available in Stealth Black, Storm Shadow Blue, Luminous Yellow and Racing Red

Fully-Floating Two-Piece Discs

• Fully-floating 355x32mm two-piece discs that allow the outer ring to expand freely in response to heat (this reduces stress which in turn extends disc life and reduces the tendency for disc cracking during extreme use)
• Drive bobbins machined from a single piece of stainless steel giving maximum strength and corrosion resistance (this reduces maintenance requirements and ensures the outer ring continues to float freely over time)
• Disc rings feature 48 directional internal curved vanes for improved cooling
• Unique ‘Swept Groove’ slot design for effective evacuation of braking dust and gases whilst ensuring good initial bite on brake application
• Now featuring the latest thermic black corrosion-resistant finish – the very latest in rust prevention

Bluestuff NDX Performance Brake Pads

• Every EBC 6-piston Apollo Big Brake Kit is supplied with EBC Bluestuff NDX pads for the front axle
• Now road legal in most markets, Bluestuff NDX combines excellent cold bite with the capability to perform well in short spells of track/race conditions

Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines

• Every kit is supplied with 91´ŤĂ˝â€™ stainless-steel braided brake lines for the front axle
• Every hose has a stainless-steel braided exterior that prevents a phenomenon known as ‘ballooning’, this braided exterior prevents the spongey feel of OE rubber lines and provides greater precision and feel under braking

Super DOT 4 Brake Fluid

• Every kit is supplied with 1 litre of BF307+ super DOT 4 brake fluid. This fluid has a 310°C boiling point – a significantly higher boiling point than standard DOT 5.1 fluid
• Having such a high boiling point gives the braking system exceptional endurance, allowing you to push hard for extended periods without heat soak causing the fluid to boil and resulting in fade

Availability

Available now. Please to find your local EBC stockist and see a full list of applications.

Notes

– Dimensions: 355x32mm

– Part Numbers:

• BBK045RED-1 (Racing Red)
• BBK045BLU-1 (Storm Shadow Blue)
• BBK045BLK-1 (Stealth Black)
• BBK045YEL-1 (Luminous Yellow)

– Applications:

Suitable for the front axles of the following vehicles:

• BMW M3 E46 (2000-2006)

For a complete list of vehicle applications, .

Apollo-Series 6-Piston Calipers

• EBC’s lightweight-yet-strong aluminium 6-piston brake caliper
• Two-piece bolted design that incorporates high-tensile 12.9-grade steel bolts for reinforcement of the caliper bridge section (computer FEA analysis shows that this offers significant improvements in caliper stiffness compared to a monobloc design)
• Machined from heat-treated low-pressure castings (this offers a noticeable performance advantage over conventional gravity cast calipers, exhibiting higher overall strength and a comparable caliper body stiffness to forging)
• High-temperature fluid seals coupled with full boot-type dust seals give maximum protection against road grime and debris
• Lightweight, hard-anodised aluminium staggered pistons with serrated/castellated piston noses that reduce heat transfer into the braking hydraulics
• Every single brake caliper pressure tested to 2,500psi
• Full stainless-steel hardware and fittings, providing durability and longevity – this caliper will never rust
• Uses standard pad shapes, giving choice when selecting brake pads
• Rather than a powder-coated finish, all Apollo calipers use an advanced high-temperature Teflon polyester coating process to ensure they look great for much longer. Currently available in Stealth Black, Storm Shadow Blue, Luminous Yellow and Racing Red

Fully-Floating Two-Piece Discs

• Fully-floating 355x32mm two-piece discs that allow the outer ring to expand freely in response to heat (this reduces stress which in turn extends disc life and reduces the tendency for disc cracking during extreme use)
• Drive bobbins machined from a single piece of stainless steel giving maximum strength and corrosion resistance (this reduces maintenance requirements and ensures the outer ring continues to float freely over time)
• Disc rings feature 48 directional internal curved vanes for improved cooling
• Unique ‘Swept Groove’ slot design for effective evacuation of braking dust and gases whilst ensuring good initial bite on brake application
• Now featuring the latest thermic black corrosion-resistant finish – the very latest in rust prevention

Bluestuff NDX Performance Brake Pads

• Every EBC 6-piston Apollo Big Brake Kit is supplied with EBC Bluestuff NDX pads for the front axle
• Now road legal in most markets, Bluestuff NDX combines excellent cold bite with the capability to perform well in short spells of track/race conditions

Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines

• Every kit is supplied with 91´ŤĂ˝â€™ stainless-steel braided brake lines for the front axle
• Every hose has a stainless-steel braided exterior that prevents a phenomenon known as ‘ballooning’, this braided exterior prevents the spongey feel of OE rubber lines and provides greater precision and feel under braking

Super DOT 4 Brake Fluid

• Every kit is supplied with 1 litre of BF307+ super DOT 4 brake fluid. This fluid has a 310°C boiling point – a significantly higher boiling point than standard DOT 5.1 fluid
• Having such a high boiling point gives the braking system exceptional endurance, allowing you to push hard for extended periods without heat soak causing the fluid to boil and resulting in fade

Availability

Available now. Please to find your local EBC stockist and see a full list of applications.

“I was using EBC’s RP-1 pads with my previous aftermarket brake calipers on my E46 BMW M3 track car. Based on that good experience, I decided to give my friend my old calipers and try the new Apollo Big Brake Kit.

“I’ve used the Apollo kit since around March of last year, firstly with RP-1 pads. Bite and fading resistance was decent.

“With this knowledge of the RP-1 pads, I decided to also use them in my Toyota GR Yaris track car. I tested this setup at Circuit Zolder in May last year – working well but wearing fairly fast.

“I recently upgraded my M3 braking setup to EBC’s new SR-11 sintered endurance pads, with my local EBC stockists telling me these new pads would deal with heavy track usage more effectively.

“I did four stints of the Nürburgring GP circuit and was quite amazed with the initial bite and overall wear rate. After some laps of the Nordschleife, there’s still plenty of life left and I’m still happy.

“With this experience and knowing my previous pads would soon be finished in my GR Yaris (which is now equipped with uprated brake calipers too), I decided to go for SR-11s in this car too.

“The SRs on the Yaris have now done around 35 laps of the Nordschleife and show a bit of wear. Other than that, they really perform well, lap after lap.

“With both cars, I always have a brake cooling setup – with air collected at the front bumper and fed directly into the cooling vanes of the discs.”

“With my BMW M3, since installing my Apollo Big Brake Kit one year ago, I have performed 124 laps of the Nordschleife (at 7:35min Bridge-to-Gantry pace), 100 laps of Mettet Circuit in Belgium, 6×15-minute sessions of the NĂźrburgring’s GP circuit and 14 laps of Blisterberg Circuit – all on a single set of SR-11 pads.

“There is still a bit of material left. Due to the good brake cooling, the inner side is a bit thicker. I’m using Porsche Cayenne calipers with E9x BMW M3 brake discs on the rear. 

“First impression of the pads is the early high initial bite which is consistent during all operation temperatures which is amazing. You never have the feeling that you cannot rely on the brakes which makes them fun to drive. Noise level is quite low for a sintered pad as well.

“Overall RSL 29 was my main favourite pad because there is literally 0 issues with them, but now I’ve started to convince my friends and customers to use SR-11 instead, and there’s been a 100% agreement rate so far. We’ve also had tested the SR-21 in the AP Racing BBK for the GR Yaris – more on that soon.”

“We now have a full length video on our YouTube which shows our young people putting to the test the new skills they have learned since joining our project last September [see below].

“Four were chosen to become our pit crew on the day, and we have engaged around 25 individuals during the life time of this project, which has involved stripping the car down and building it back up with lots of new parts and a few modifications to make it into a race car.

“This has been taking place alongside our regular activities which involves teaching the basics of mechanics from oil changes to brakes and suspension. They have also had some experience at welding and I’m pleased to say that we are looking into securing a placement for one of our young people to gain qualifications in welding after showing some natural talent!

“As we grow and expand our project, we are setting up links with local colleges and employers to encourage our young people towards apprenticeships and employment and as part of this, we will be assisting them with preparing their CVs and putting in applications.

“I want to stress that although this particular Time Attack project has now concluded, this is not the end, this is only the beginning. At present, we are all unpaid volunteers with full time jobs during the week and we dedicate our evenings and weekends to this project. It has been fantastic to see the difference we are making and despite setting out simply to tackle anti-social behaviour, we have learned that the root causes are vast and complex.”

“We are not just catering for those already involved in crime but also those at risk of becoming involved whether through a lack of opportunities, being excluded from mainstream school or growing up in that environment. We are helping young people build confidence, make new friends and supporting those with mental health problems, and after jumping through many, many hoops, we are now in a position to deliver for 14 and 15 years olds too. Many of our young people have also joined our car club of over 100 members; a community of modified car enthusiasts each with unique builds who provide inspiration and support through their many talents.

“It is important that we continue to engage young people early and take a preventative approach to anti-social behaviour and in order to make this project a real success, it’s becoming clearer that we need to put more time in, but that requires being able to pay ourselves wages so one of our areas of focus is how we achieve that.

“Time Attack was intended to be a one-off project and we would then move onto a different theme, of which we have in the works, but with the huge success it was with our young people, we are looking into entering another round, taking what we have learned on the track and making some modifications to improve our lap times which will give us an opportunity to expand our teaching and show how making small changes, such as wider tyres, can make a huge difference.

“We hope to build something truly special moving forwards, continuing to help make a real difference to young peoples’ lives in a city with high unemployment and crime rates. Together, we believe we can change this!”

The vehicle of choice was the tried-and-true BMW E46 M3, with simple modifications to make an effective and reliable package. Knowing it was more than likely going to be a wet weekend at Pittsburgh International Raceway, the team chose to run 91´ŤĂ˝ Racing’s SR-11 sintered endurance race brake pads in the front, with RP-1 track/race pads in the rear, to help keep the bias front-heavy.

Endurance racing is always a great platform for testing out how a brake package works, as you typically get multiple drivers and loads of time for feedback/data. In this case, the team was made up of five drivers: Jim Vanzant, Randy Barnes, Rob Stahl, Chase McIntyre, and our very own 91´ŤĂ˝ USA employee, Preston Lapping.

After a couple of shakedown laps to feel out the newly built car, the immediate feedback was that of relief of finally having the stopping power and modulation they had been looking for. The SR-11/RP-1 combination was very controllable, with great modulation for threshold braking even in wet conditions on rain tires. The last day of the event really let the team shine as weather broke and the race was mostly dry, allowing them to put the 91´ŤĂ˝ Racing package to the test while carving their way through the field. While the stopping power is immense, the modulation and pedal feel was equally as impressive with a very linear response to pressure-in/torque-out.

Keeping an eye on the brakes to see how long the team could go, they ended up putting around 20 hours (around 1100 race pace miles!) on a single vehicle set without any issues. Initial wear measurements are showing around 1mm of wear from each of the pads and rotors that look ready for many more laps. The pedal felt firm and communicative from the first turn to the last.

Nichols Racing overcame some last-minute preparation challenges to place 2nd in Class 5 and take home their first AER podium. 91´ŤĂ˝ Racing is excited to continue its support of Nichols Racing and their journey to more podiums.

Jim Vanzant, car owner/driver was all smiles: “I’m so happy; the car is so balanced and easy to drive. We can out-brake anyone anywhere… if you go in too deep, you know you have the brakes to pull you back out of it. It has been the most enjoyable racing that I can remember.”