In the realm of drifting and rally motorsports, enthusiasts and professional drivers alike can gain a significant advantage on the track from investing in a good quality set of hydraulic handbrakes.
Although standard cable handbrakes may be sufficient for standard motorists, the racetrack demands significantly more. Repeated and strenuous use of a standard cable handbrake can cause the cables to stretch – and eventually, snap. Hydraulic handbrake systems are far more suitable for navigating hairpin bends at speed and other common racetrack maneuvers.
So, now we’ve established that hydraulic handbrakes are the clear choice among the motorsport milieux, let’s take a look at some of the key benefits they provide. Here are five compelling reasons to consider a new set of hydraulic handbrakes for your pride and joy …
Superior Reliability and Performance
When it comes to reliability and performance on the track, modern hydraulic handbrakes score high. Hydraulic brake systems rely on fluid, rather than cables for pressure, which provides greater performance and reliability. They connect into the brake line, which runs to the rear caliper. This means that much less force is required to completely lock both rear wheels, making many precision racing maneuvers much easier to perform.
With hydraulic handbrakes, it’s easy to lock up the rear wheels and break them loose when required. Drifting maneuvers, such as sideways drifting or spinning on the spot can be accomplished with relative ease. These techniques are necessary for hard turns where drivers don’t have enough wheel lock to complete the turn unaided!
Surprising Affordability and Value for Money
Whilst even entry-level hydraulic handbrakes kits can deliver impressive performance, a powerful mid-range kit costs less than you might think. In fact, if you do your homework, you can expect to pick up a kit that meets most stage rallying and drifting requirements for £80 or less.
Most modern hydraulic handbrake kits offer superb value for money – and once they’ve been installed, you’ll instantly notice a positive difference when it comes to performance and handling on the race circuit.
Smoother, Faster Handbrake Turns
As we mentioned earlier, hydraulic handbrakes are ubiquitous within the rally driving scene. The handbrake lever allows for the rear brakes to be applied more forcefully, under hydraulic pressure. This enables drivers to execute show-stopping handbrake turns, without any worries about overstretching (or worse yet, snapping cables).
Even the most gifted rally drivers require a capable handbrake system to match their dexterous skill. When it comes to smooth, reliable handbrake turns and drift manoeuvres, hydraulic systems are the clear winners!
Versatile and Minimally Invasive
If you wish to use your vehicle on the road in the UK, you’ll need to retain its cable handbrake system. Fortunately, hydraulic handbrakes can work in tandem with existing cable handbrake systems. They can be implemented into the rear brake line system without any alterations to the setup of the original mechanical handbrake.
Ease of Installation
As a regular on the rally circuit, you may have had to fix and replace your handbrake cables several times. If so, your hard-earned money would be better spent on a hydraulic kit. With just a little perseverance and know-how, you should be able to get your new handbrake system running exactly as it should!
Installation is relatively simple for those with a good grasp of vehicle mechanics: First of all, find a suitable place to mount the body of the handbrake (either on, or at the side of the tunnel). Next, secure the body and assemble the rest of the handbrake’s components.
Bear in mind that your hydraulic handbrake unit will need refinement and greasing between the body and handle. Carefully fill the area where the phosphor bronze split bushes are fitted. This will help ensure a precision fit – and may require the removal of the powder coating in this area. Once assembled, the handle should be pointed up at around 85° towards the rear, in a position that best suits your driving style.
Thanks for Reading – Best of Luck on the Track!
We hope you found our latest article useful and are now familiar with some of the many benefits high-performance hydraulic handbrakes can offer.
Take a little time to familiarise yourself with some of the leading models on the handbrake and consider which would best suit your budget and racing requirements. No matter which model you ultimately opt for, we wish you the best of luck on the track.
