Bendix Ultimate Brake Pads
Exceptional performance
in Targa Tasmania
David is a rally enthusiast who has spent the past ten years proudly driving the ‘00 vehicle’ in the Targa Tasmania rally, one of the world’s greatest sporting events. When David needed advice on high performance brake pads for his vehicle, which is used to safety-check the entire, challenging Targa course, David contacted Bendix. He says, “that phone call was one of the best he has ever made”.
“Bendix have been fantastic,” says David. “Prior to 1998 we had been using a standard Ford Falcon as the ‘00 vehicle’…it was fitted with standard brakes and it was just a disaster. We went through a set of brake pads every 700kms! Bendix advised us to fit Bendix Ultimate instead, and we haven’t looked back. The performance of Bendix Ultimate pads is superb and they continue to perform right throughout the event, despite being under constant and extreme pressure.”
Bendix Ultimate brake pads are ideal for competition driving or for any energetic, freeway or touring situation. With excellent pedal feel and unmatched stopping power, Bendix Ultimate brake pads are specially formulated to offer high friction. They tolerate extreme temperature, for absolute control across a range of braking conditions.
Supreme braking confidence is not just important to Targa Tasmania Assistant Clerk of Courses, David Watson – it’s absolutely critical!
More than just a car rally, the Targa Tasmania is an exhilarating six-day tarmac race where drivers push their vehicles – especially their brake pads – to the limit along some of the state’s most hair raising and challenging roadways. Featuring 300 competitors, Targa Tasmania is a massive event that draws enthusiastic crowds from within Tasmania and abroad, and attracts a worldwide audience of close to 500 million people.
“The Targa course features countless hairpin corners where vehicle brakes are pounded mercilessly,” says David. “The Targa is all about accelerating on the straight, then decelerating quickly to take tight corners. Getting deep into a corner on the brakes is a key feature of the race, so hugely responsive brakes are vital.”
“In the ‘00 vehicle’ we need zero brake fade regardless of heat, and that’s certainly what Bendix Ultimate brake pads provide.” David says Bendix Ultimate Brake Pads have been a key feature of the '00 vehicle’ success year in, year out, despite changes in vehicle make and model.
“Following our initial experience of Bendix Ultimate on a Falcon, the ‘00 vehicle’ was changed to a Holden Statesman. This is a much heavier vehicle. In addition, more passengers became involved – as well as myself as driver there was also a course checker and note taker in the vehicle. We also have a lot of fairly weighty equipment on board. Despite the heavier car and the extra weight from passengers and equipment, Bendix Ultimate brake pads have continued to perform at an exceptional level.”
David, who has been involved in the competition for 17 years, describes his role as the 00 vehicle driver as “a free entry into Targa Tasmania.” While his is most definitely an official role, with safety the number one priority, the nature of David’s job means he drives the ‘00 vehicle’ around the Targa course at close to race speed, to ensure that a complete and thorough assessment of course safety is made and supplied to race officials.
“Despite the fact that the ‘00 vehicle’ is not a competitor in the race, our run times on the stages are very impressive. We regularly reach top speeds of over 200kms per hour, so we’re moving very fast.”
“The Targa is not all about velocity, though. A lot of the time during the race you’re not travelling at high speeds,” adds David. “That’s why superior brake pads are so important – they enable you to quickly take your vehicle from 200-plus kms down to 40kms, and then back up again.”
David says that, over the years, a significant feature of his relationship with Bendix has been the company’s consistent provision of high quality advice. “The advice and service from Bendix has been just wonderful. It’s spot on year after year. I have a huge amount of respect for the company and their products.”