Best Brake Pads for Track Days in Canada — Hawk vs EBC vs Carbotech
Choosing the right brake pads for track use is one of the most important safety decisions a Canadian track day driver can make. Factory brake pads are designed for street temperatures — push them hard on a track and they fade quickly, sometimes dangerously. Here's how the leading track brake pad brands compare, available at MyPartsGuy.ca in CAD with no duties or brokerage.
What Makes a Good Track Brake Pad?
A track brake pad needs to operate effectively at high temperatures — typically 300°C to 800°C depending on the car and driving intensity. It should bite consistently from cold through hot, resist fade under repeated hard stops, and not destroy rotors aggressively. Street pads typically begin to fade above 300–400°C, which happens quickly on a track.
Hawk Performance
Hawk HPS 5.0
The best street/mild track pad in Hawk's lineup. Works from cold, very low dust, good initial bite, suitable for light track use and autocross. Not enough for sustained hard lapping — use DTC compounds for that.
Hawk DTC-60
Hawk's most popular dedicated track compound. Excellent bite from warm temperatures through high heat, good modulation, strong fade resistance. The go-to recommendation for intermediate HPDE drivers and club racing. Requires warm-up — too aggressive for cold street use.
Hawk DTC-70
Higher temperature version of the DTC-60, suited for heavier cars or more aggressive track use. Less street friendly than DTC-60.
EBC Brakes
EBC Yellowstuff
EBC's street/track pad with good cold bite and reasonable track performance. A strong option for drivers who want one pad that works for both street commuting and occasional track days.
EBC Bluestuff NDX
EBC's dedicated track compound. High temperature operation, strong bite, better suited to sustained lapping than Yellowstuff. Similar positioning to Hawk DTC-60.
Carbotech
Carbotech XP10
One of the best track pads available at any price. Exceptional bite, outstanding modulation, excellent fade resistance. A favourite among serious HPDE drivers and club racers across all platforms. Higher price than Hawk, but the performance difference at the limit is real.
Carbotech XP12
Higher temperature version for heavier cars and more aggressive driving. The choice for GT cars, heavy touring cars, and endurance racing.
Which Should You Choose?
For occasional track days on a street car: Hawk DTC-60 or EBC Bluestuff. For regular HPDE and club racing: Carbotech XP10. For endurance racing or heavy cars: Carbotech XP12 or Hawk DTC-70. Always bed new pads properly before a track event.
Canadian Track Pad Buying
MyPartsGuy.ca stocks Hawk, EBC, and Carbotech track brake pads for a wide range of platforms, all priced in CAD with no duties.