Even a simple pedal box is backed up by a great deal of Brembo research and innovation

4/18/2017

Years of studying the WRC, optimisation, lightening and subsequent innovations. Hours and hours of tests go towards offering the absolute best to drivers. Let's take a look at how Brembo research influences a seemingly trivial object.

Up to now we have talked about our braking systems, but Brembo also produces other accessories that are just as crucial for those who want to make their mark in competition driving.

Today we want to tell you about the new pedal box for race cars that compete both on the track and off-road.

Introduced in a world preview at the latest edition of Autosport International in Birmingham, the new pedal box stands out for the decided improvements in both weight and guaranteed performance.

Over the course of the past few months, Brembo has made a dozen different models, studying and comparing their performance at the computer.

This type of experimentation enabled Brembo to reduce the mass step-by-step until it arrived at the final sample, which weighs almost one kilogram less than any other model currently on the market.
It may not seem like much to those who aren't familiar with the dimensions of a pedal box, but it truly is an impressive savings because the new sample weighs a mere 2.42 kg (excluding the master cylinders).

Naturally, this weight reduction was made without compromising the stiffness necessary for this component. To accomplish this, the Brembo engineers used material only at the points that are indispensable for operation and removed any extraneous sections.

Everything there is to know about the very special brakes used in the world's most prestigious single brand championship

More than 40 years of partnership. The collaboration between Brembo and Ferrari began back in 1975 when Brembo started supplying the Scuderia with cast iron discs for Formula 1 GP races. Not only the Formula 1 single-seaters bearing the brand of the manufacturer from Maranello use Brembo brakes, but also the cars that compete in the GT championships, as well as those racing in the three Ferrari Challenge events: Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.

One of the first "tricks" for scaling down the weight of the pedal box was moving from the previously employed Y-shaped pedal to an I-shaped one.

Another significant step was lightening the clutch pedal, which many know that in rallies and numerous track competitions is used only to start the car and to make the final stop. Further savings in mass came from a reduction in the through pin that hinges the brake pedals and the clutch.

This may have been considered sufficient but Brembo decided to continue and change the geometry of the plates and decrease the number of hinge points.

The new Brembo pedal box also ensures optimisation of the kinematics through technical solutions: first of all, a Y reinforcement that connects the main frame to the brake balance. The presence of a single through pin for the brake-clutch group also contributes to the added stiffness.

Ford and Hyundai rely on Brembo for their new WRC Plus cars: more powerful cars and brakes in 2017.

The retirement of WRC race cars and their replacement with the new WRC Plus cars affects the braking systems as well. Compared to the previous models, the engines on these new cars pack about 80 more horsepower, delivering a total of approximately 380 hp. Keeping pace with the increase in power, the width of the vehicles has also gone up. They now benefit from enormous rear wings, wider front bumpers and even a rear diffuser.

The accelerator group is equipped with a sensor with electronic redundancy: explained in other terms, should the main system fail, the accelerator continues to function seamlessly.

In addition, the frame is separated from the brake-clutch group allowing the component to be positioned autonomously.

To make customisation easy, both groups mount pedals and shears that are totally adjustable.

Is that it? Of course not, because there are also accelerator springs with differentiated stiffness available and numerous versions and dimensions for the master cylinders, which are all push type.
Also worth mentioning, for example, are the Performance products, like the controlled and calibrated ineffective stroke for each master cylinder.

And in great demand as an optional for the brake-clutch block is the Remote Adjuster, which comes in two different lengths. Indeed, more and more drivers are using it to vary the distribution of the braking between the front and rear axles.

Keep your feet on the ground but think big: use the Brembo pedal box.