Motor Sports
The roles of brakes are to “stop” and “decelerate” a car in motion. Furthermore, it is one of the important components for allowing the car to be “driven fast and safely", and to be " controlled smoothly and safely." To maintain our status as leading brake experts, we are challenging ourselves in the demanding conditions of various categories of motorsports, as it is the optimal arena to develop superior brake systems.
The roles of brakes are to “stop” and “decelerate” a car in motion. Furthermore, it is one of the important components for allowing the car to be “driven fast and safely", and to be " controlled smoothly and safely." To maintain our status as leading brake experts, we are challenging ourselves in the demanding conditions of various categories of motorsports, as it is the optimal arena to develop superior brake systems.
Akebono first ventured into competitive racing with brake systems that were successfully used in mountain bike downhill races from 2002 to 2009. Our entry into motor sports was in developing and supplying brake systems for superbike races (JSB 1000 class) from 2004 to 2015, and then touring car races including the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race from 2006. From 2007 to 2021, Akebono was the first Japanese brake manufacturer to participate in Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsports, as the official supplier to, and later Technology Partner of, McLaren Racing. Akebono continues to make advances in the design, development and supply of brake calipers for endurance and rally racing.
Akebono takes advantage of the technological expertise and extensive experience gained from motorsports, to develop and supply brakes for high performance vehicles, as well as to expand the scope of business, and to foster skilled engineers.