PFC named INDYCAR's new exclusive brake supplier from 2017 - MotorSportsTalk

Performance Friction Corporation (PFC) has been named INDYCAR’s new exclusive brake supplier from the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season.

PFC replaces Brembo, which had been the supplier since 2012.

A release from INDYCAR confirming the change is below:

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INDYCAR announced today a partnership agreement with Performance Friction Corporation that will make the company the official brake supplier of the Verizon IndyCar Series. The multiyear agreement makes PFC the exclusive supplier of brake system components to each entry competing in the Verizon IndyCar Series beginning in 2017.

“Earlier this season the majority of our teams tested the PFC brake package and the feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. PFC has a long history of building outstanding performance products that we expect to be a great benefit to the competition in the Verizon IndyCar Series,” said Jay Frye, INDYCAR president of competition and operations. “We’re excited to kick off this partnership with PFC and appreciate all their efforts and commitment to INDYCAR.”

INDYCAR began using lightweight carbon brakes at all tracks in the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2012, in conjunction with introduction of the Dallara IR-12 chassis that is still in use today.

“Don Burgoon, PFC Brakes founder and visionary, truly understood the advantages and benefits of PFC’s continuous wound carbon over the competition,” said Darrick Dong, PFC’s director of motorsports. “Open-wheel racing is in PFC’s DNA. It is with a great deal of pride and optimism that PFC is awarded official brake supplier for the Verizon IndyCar Series for many years to come.”

“INDYCAR has always been close to our hearts at PFC,” said Nina Burgoon, president of PFC. “We are excited and honored that this long-awaited partnership is now a reality. PFC is committed to providing the best-performing package for the car and is thankful for the opportunity INDYCAR has given us to exceed their expectations.”

PFC has a successful motorsports heritage and has been a longtime brake supplier in stock car and sports car competition. Previously, the company was an Indy car supplier in the Champ Car World Series and currently is the brake supplier to all three levels of the Mazda Road to Indy development series sanctioned by INDYCAR.

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In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

PFC named INDYCAR’s new exclusive brake supplier from 2017

SuperMotocross set to introduce Leader Lights beginning with the World Championship finals

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