Pro race drivers – whether it’s in NASCAR or on the IndyCar circuit – rely on Raybestos brand brakes, the simple choice. That’s why Raybestos, in partnership with WIX filters, has decided to reward loyal customers with the Raybestos Rookie Racing School so they can find out first hand why Raybestos is the Best in Brakes.
These private, exclusive one-day schools are being held at the country’s finest road courses and circle tracks, where participants “get buckled in” to experience the excitement of driving former Bondurant Racing race-prepped Ford Mustang GTs. These cars are extensively modified with performance upgrades including roll cages, Halon fire suppression systems, WIX Filters and Raybestos high-performance rotors and race-compound brake friction. In fact, it’s the same pad compound found in NASCAR and IndyCar series competition on any given weekend, and the same brand of chassis parts found in NASCAR on the Joe Gibbs Racing team.
“The events are designed to show the durability of Raybestos quality parts that are now being used in NASCAR and IndyCar events,” said Wally Marciniak, Affinia’s Director of Technical Services. “We outfitted the cars with the exact same parts customers order and install every day – no ‘one offs.’”
Classroom and on-track professional instruction is provided by the Jeff Gordon/Mario Andretti Racing School. Class attendees learn advanced driving skills, proven racing techniques and endure extreme braking exercises, including threshold braking. In addition, trackside brake, chassis and filtration technical/engineering lessons prove how the products used on the street also perform to a high-degree on the track. Students gain valuable driving experience while pushing themselves, and Raybestos and WIX products, to the absolute limit.
The Raybestos Rookie Racing School kicks off the inaugural season at the Waterford Hills Road Course in Clarkston, MI, on Aug. 18. This road racing venue provides the perfect workout for both the attendees and the special race-prepped Ford Mustang GTs. Upcoming classes will be held in Chicago (Sept. 4), New Jersey (Sept. 18), Las Vegas (Sept. 22), Talladega (Oct. 6) and Charlotte (Oct. 13).
Raybestos brand brakes are produced by the Affinia Under Vehicle Group, the leading manufacturer of braking systems and components for the transportation industry. The line includes everything from brake drums to rotors, pads, shoes and hydraulic parts. Affinia Under Vehicle Group is at the forefront of research and development in brake technology and operates manufacturing and distribution facilities throughout North America.
Raybestos brand brakes are the official brakes of NASCAR, and the NASCAR relationship also includes the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award, which is presented to the top rookie in each of the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck racing series. In addition, Raybestos is the preferred competition brake friction of the IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights at all road and street course races through 2009. For more information about Raybestos brand brakes, visit www.raybestos.com.