One of the most essential components in a Tamiya Mini 4WD car's setup are the brake pads, which play a vital role in controlling the car's speed and stability. This article explores the different colors and compounds of Tamiya Mini 4WD brake pads, their part numbers and how they affect performance when used on the front and rear of the car.

Understanding Brake Pads on a Tamiya Mini 4WD

Brake Pad Colors and Compounds

Tamiya offers a range of brake pads distinguished by color and compound. Each color represents a different level of friction and material composition and can be purchased in 1mm, 2mm and 3mm thicknesses. This allows racers to fine-tune their cars based on track conditions and racing strategy.

While there are 6 different color variations of brakes - green, black, gray, blue, white and pink (AKA red) - blue and pink are by far the most popular options to use (and the ones we will outline below).

Blue Brake Pads

Brake Strength: Low
Available Thicknesses: 1mm, 2mm and 3mm
Characteristics: Blue brake pads offer a medium compound that balances friction and speed. They are versatile and can be used on a variety of track conditions.
Performance Impact: Blue pads are excellent for use on both the front and rear, providing a balanced braking effect. They offer good control without significantly affecting the car's top speed.

Pink Brake Pads

Brake Strength: High
Available Thicknesses: 1mm, 2mm and 3mm
Characteristics: Pink brake pads are ideal for technical tracks with sharp turns and frequent slopes, where quick deceleration is necessary.
Performance Impact: Pink pads are effective for reducing speed quickly, making them suitable for the front of the car. Used in the rear, they can help reduce jumping distance. Depending on the layout, pink pads will also cause a slight decrease in speed on straights.

How Brake Pads Affect Performance

Front Brake Pad Usage
When brake pads are used on the front of the Mini 4WD car, they primarily affect the car's handling during deceleration. Softer compounds (like pink) are often used on the front because they provide more braking power, helping the car to slow down effectively before entering a turn. Blue, on the other hand, applies a much lighter braking force and is best used when you need less braking into a slope or jump. Note, however, that excessive braking at the front can lead to reduced speeds on straights.

Rear Brake Pad Usage
Brake pads on the rear of your Mini 4WD primarily influences the car's stability and speed maintenance as well as how far the car jumps. Harder compounds (like blue) are used at the rear to reduce drag and maintain higher speeds on straights. This setup is beneficial on tracks with fewer turns and longer straight sections.

Choosing the Right Brake Pad Setup

Selecting the appropriate brake pad setup depends on several factors, including track layout and car setup. Here are some general guidelines:

Technical Tracks: Use softer brake pads (pink) on the front for better control and harder pads (blue) on the rear to maintain speed.
Speed-Oriented Tracks: Use harder brake pads (blue) on both front and rear to maximize speed.
Mixed Tracks: Use medium brake pads (blue) for a balanced approach, allowing versatility across different sections.

Understanding Brake Tape

Brake tape is an adhesive strip applied to the brake pads of a Mini 4WD car. It can be used as an optional method of controlling the car's speed and stability - use this instead of completely replacing the entire brake tape.

Types of Brake Tape
Tamiya offers a variety of brake tapes in different colors and widths. Here are the common options available:

Color Variants
Red Brake Tape: Available in 10mm and 20mm widths.
Blue Brake Tape: Available in 10mm width.
Black Brake Tape: Available in 10mm and 20mm widths (a special 15mm 30th Anniversary version is also available).