AP Racing (Brakes)

AP Racing is a world-renowned manufacturer of brake and clutch systems and a member of the Brembo Group, headquartered in Coventry, UK. Its dominance in motorsport is best illustrated by a few telling figures: more than one out of every two F1 teams runs its hardware, all 24 cars on the BTCC grid are exclusively supplied by the brand, and it has served as the sole brake supplier for the NASCAR Cup Series since 2021.

From "Automotive Products" to "Competition Products"

AP Racing traces its heritage back to Automotive Products (AP), founded in 1920 to import parts for converting post-war military vehicles for civilian use. After securing a licence to manufacture Lockheed hydraulic brake systems in 1928, AP officially ventured into the braking industry. In 1967, the company set up a dedicated Competition Products (CP) division to meet the specialized demands of motorsport, marking the official inception of AP Racing. In 1970, the division was formally renamed AP Racing. To this day, all AP Racing part numbers start with the "CP" prefix, serving as an ongoing tribute to this legacy.

Core Technology: Radi-CAL™ Calipers

AP Racing's most iconic engineering breakthrough is the Radi-CAL™ caliper design, first introduced in 2007. Breaking away from conventional symmetrical caliper architecture, it incorporates an asymmetrical, organic forged profile that redistributes material according to dynamic operating loads. Its primary benefits include significant weight reduction combined with higher structural rigidity, optimised airflow for enhanced heat dissipation, more uniform brake pad wear, and more progressive pedal feel. Today, the Radi-CAL™ family encompasses over 190 variants, serving across virtually all major motorsport disciplines including F1, GT racing, touring cars, WRC, and NASCAR.

Track Dominance

AP Racing's motorsport pedigree is anchored in measurable track records:

• F1: As of the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix, AP Racing has achieved the milestone of supplying 1,000 Grands Prix, contributing to over 900 Grand Prix victories. For the 2026 season, it continues to supply brake and clutch systems to 8 out of the 11 teams.

• BTCC: Acting as the sole supplier to the entire grid for 16 consecutive years since 2010, celebrating a landmark 700 wins in 2025.

• NASCAR: Supplying the series since 1987, it became the exclusive brake supplier for the Cup Series in 2021, hitting the milestone of 600 wins by 2025.

• Technical Milestones: At the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans, the AP Racing braking system fitted to BMW completed the entire 24-hour race to take overall victory without a single brake disc or pad change for the first time in history.

Product Lineup

AP Racing's product portfolio spans a comprehensive hierarchy from pure competition applications to high-performance road use:

• Competition Brake Kits: Purpose-engineered track upgrade packages for models such as the BMW M3 E46/E92, Mitsubishi Evo 7/8/9, and Honda Civic Type R, typically featuring 4- or 6-piston calipers, oversized ventilated discs, and race-compound brake pads.

• PRO 5000 Series: The flagship competition caliper range, offering various mounting hole centres such as 195mm and 210mm to suit diverse racing chassis.

• Road Upgrade Range: Road calipers such as the Radi-CAL™ e series retain core Radi-CAL engineering while adding dust seals and anti-corrosion surface treatments to withstand daily street driving.

• Heavy-Duty Vehicle Solutions: The Radi-CAL™ X series is purpose-developed for SUVs, armoured vehicles, and military applications, utilising forged steel calipers to deliver an optimal balance of extreme performance and durability.

Relationship with Brembo

In 2000, AP Racing was acquired by Italian braking powerhouse Brembo, becoming an integral brand within the Brembo Group. In Brembo's overarching brand portfolio, AP Racing is positioned as the premier specialist in motorsport and clutch technology, complementing the core Brembo brand: while Brembo serves a broader OEM and premium aftermarket customer base, AP Racing remains dedicated to motorsport and hardcore performance tuning, delivering products engineered for uncompromised competitive capability.