It’s been repeated ad nauseam here and in other publications and resources, but a braking system is every bit as important to a drag racing vehicle as the various systems and parts that accelerate it to its terminal speed; until we have racing facilities with a mile or more of shutdown — something that’s unlikely to ever happen — having adequate stopping power is key to a racers’ safety.

Beyond rotor size or the ever-important curb appeal, there’s a lot that goes into not only matching the braking system to the needs of the vehicle and driver, but also in maintenance to keep the brakes operating in tip-top shape when you need them the most at the close of a high-speed lap. 

In 2011, Moser Engineering launched its line of rear Pro Drag Brakes targeted at dedicated racing machines, from dragsters to doorslammers; later, driven by market demand, it added a stainless steel rotor option that Moser’s Jeff Anderson says has been highly well-received by racers with certain driving styles or those with heater vehicles with greater braking demands. The stainless steel rotors and accompanying Hawk DTC-30 pads provide exactly what drag racers at all levels of sportsman racing demand.

“Certain guys in the field have aggressive driving styles and generate some real heat in the rotors.” To prevent cupping and other issues with the standard rotor, stainless steel can better handle the heat and offer a longer lifespan.”

Suffice it to say, Moser and its engineers know a thing or two about brakes — along with its field testing on sponsored racing machines, Moser’s in-house racers have also put the brakes through their paces, both during the development phase and in the years since, gathering knowledge and data on maintenance and best practices. And Moser’s Tim Irwin, a sportsman racer himself, sat down to go over the company’s brake lineup, the easy-to-maintain design of the drag brake kits, and tips for best uses in this episode of the Moser Minute.