Last minute decision to go to Bedford today. It was f*cking freezing at 0600 when I departed, didn't warm up much by the time I arrived. But, it was dry, and was going to get warmer, especially with some coffee.
Rewind a few months and the last Bedford day I attended was a nightmare. Trying to get the OE brakes on song we fitted RS14's, changed the master cylinders and added a brace. Long story short, the balance was all wrong, rears locked all the time and it just made the car a pig to drive.
I had driven the car with the new calipers retaining the ZZR's, IME they are hopeless in anything other than very warm track day conditions. As soon as the 52's were back on the car felt far more compliant. Set the tyre pressures once and left them alone. First few laps was on the road settings, went ok, back in a got some fuel. At this point swapped to the track settings. This transforms the turn in and grip.
Pedal remained exactly at the same point all day. I like 1144's, but IMO they aren't up to the job on track, purely on a personal point of view in respect to bite at higher speeds. However, saying that they stayed consistent and although definitely overheating it didn't get in the way. No long, or changing feel and the balance with the bias at 50/50 was really good. As confidence grew braking became later and harder. I think this is the first time I can say that leaning on the brakes in the 4 game me a good feeling. With the OE setup it was possible to go fast (for me) but the feedback was always a bit odd, it's difficult to explain. What isn't difficult to explain is enjoying a car on track requires confidence, the OE setup never gave me this, I feel the upgrade has delivered this. It's close to the old 3.5 now.
Next step is to fit a set of RS14s, TBH, I think it will take this to the next level.
Anyway. Good to catch up with faces old and new at the track. Bedford is a really underrated track IMO...although they are very strict on noise.