Laguna Seca DE, brakes

I just found out that I'm going to be doing a one day DE at Laguna Seca, in 2 weeks. Can't wait! I just had my brake fluid replaced with Motul high temp fluid, and I've still got the stock pads in it. They look like they've got plenty of material left. The car has 20K, and I recently bought it used. It had an easy life with the original owner (an older lady). I've heard that Laguna is hard on brakes. Based on that, my questions are; 1.) Should I consider replacing my stock pads? 2.) If so, would it be a bad idea to only replace the front pads, and run the stock rears? 3.) Which pads would be best? (rotor life is a concern) 4.) Where's the best place to get those pads?

It would not hurt to get another set of pads and bring them along. You should have atleast half of your pad left, you should be good though.

My car has 47K miles on it, I participated in 7 DE events this summer with the same pads. The fluid is the concern. Since you have had the fluid replaced, you should be all set. The stock pads will work fine. Porsche brakes are wonderful.....

Just get an extra set and take them with you. Replace when needed. It's an easy change out. A jack. A small set of needle nose pliers to remove the retaining clip on the pin that holds the clamp over the pads. A small punch to start the removal of the pad holding pin under the pin. A screw driver to gently pry/move the pads back from the rotor. Gentle pressure works, it just takes a minute or so. A pair of pliers to remove the pads. (May not need if pads are cool). Remove old pads, slip in new pads, reverse procedure and then check brake fluid level. Bed in and your in business. Believe me, there will be plenty of folks at the track who will have more then enough knowledge to help you. You can use factory pads (they may be the easiest to find) until you decide which after market pad you may wish to use. The same people who give you help with the pad procedure will all, and I mean ALL, have a suggestion about pads. I know I do!

I've been podering the question of aftermarket pads myself these last few days, and have come to certain conclusions. Want to hear them? I'll tell you, anyway . If the rest of your car is stock, especially the tires, and you find yourself consistently braking almost to the point of lock-up at the end of the straights with no problems, then stay with the stock pads. You have all the brakes you need, and you will preserve your rotors. 20k easy miles with an older lady, I'd bet you have enough pads for the DE. If you have real sticky racing tires, or have modified your set-up such that you are hitting the braking zones so fast and with such sticky tires that your brakes either start fading or you can't lock them up even if you tried, then go with racing pads. The more grippy, the more rotor you will lose. There is no getting around it. Pagids seem to be the favored brand on this board. Do a search and you'll find lots of threads on brakes. Or, if you expect to get beter and get upgrades such as more HP and/or racing tires, now may be as agood a time as any to get upgraded brakes. Hope this helps. Have fun, be safe at Laguna.

Thanks Palting, that's really helpful. I used to think that Pagids would help preserve my rotors, but you made it clear that its the other way around. I guess that makes sense, because better pads would create shorter braking distances from the same or higher speeds, thus creating more heat, which can only hurt the rotors. Right? I don't think I'm going to modify my car, I'm loving it so much as is. My plan is to do a DE at each of the local tracks (Laguna, Sears Point, etc.), and then maybe one a year or so. Hopefully in a couple years business will still be good, and rather than tweak my car, I'll be able to just upgrade the whole thing, to a TT. At least that's my dream. But for now, I'm living yesterday's dream in my 996, and its real nice, so please no one wake me...