Motorsport ABS Overview

There’s nothing more important in a race car than its brakes.  Braking is fundamental to on-track performance, whether it's precisely shaving tenths off a lap time or ensuring reliable control when pushing the limits. Perhaps most well-known globally for its applications in GT3, Motorsport ABS has changed the braking game, bringing professional level safety and performance to competitors at all levels of motorsport.  At 909 Motorsport, we have worked with competitors in different disciplines, with this article showcasing our breadth and depth of work, and the key reasons why you should have Bosch Motorsport ABS in your race car.  

Factory ABS vs Motorsport ABS 

Most production cars come equipped with ABS from the factory but fall short when exposed to the rigours of motorsport competition. With race cars often being stripped out, fitted with wider, stickier rubber, better suspension and bigger brakes, there is an instant improvement in braking capabilities that moves the vehicles specifications beyond what the factory ABS system is calibrated for.  

This can lead to the stock unit intervening prematurely in the braking zone, relieving brake pressure and reducing braking effectiveness, or even causing a loss of control that puts the car and driver at risk of harm.   

Motorsport ABS tackles this problem, offering unmatched customisability and performance, offering tuneability that factory software can’t. 

As Bosch Motorsport ABS is a standalone unit, it can be utilised by just about any car, seamlessly integrating itself alongside the cars existing architecture, independent from the factory ECU. Bosch Motorsport ABS is a separate kit that includes its own wiring harness, pressure sensors, G-Sensor and wheel speed sensors and offers easily adjustable internal system settings that allow for precise tuning, allowing users to customise it to their car’s unique parameters.  

Some cars may require specific integration kits for Motorsport ABS, which we currently offer for a wide range of models, with more being developed as the system gains widespread adoption.  

Applications 

One of the headline acts for 909 Motorsport’s use of Bosch Motorsport ABS is the legendary RP968. This is a car that has set the standard for the time attack world over the past decade, winning five straight WTAC titles and twice breaking the outright Sydney Motorsport Park lap record.  

With over 1500 horsepower and obscene levels of downforce, the braking package needs to help the car slow both safely and effectively to maximise performance across a lap.  

Our involvement with the car saw the upgrading of its existing Bosch Motorsport ABS system, going from the older M4 to the cutting edge M5 system, instantly adding more tunability to help dial in their brake balance and brake torque, giving Barton Mawer more confidence in the braking zones to go and smash records. 

At the other end of the time attack spectrum, we installed Motorsport ABS on Lamspeed Racing’s Clubsprint class Toyota GR Yaris, after their team had surpassed the capabilities of the factory unit, leading to dangerous situations that put driver and car at harm.  

Working alongside Lamspeed, we developed a plug and play solution for the GR Yaris platform that makes for a safer driving experience in these modified vehicles, whilst also shaving two seconds off their previous personal best time, showing the potential of Motorsport ABS on cars that aren’t aero dependent. 

Stepping away from the world of time attack, we’ve developed solutions for cars competing in tarmac rally, like this Ultima RS. Motorsport ABS makes a crucial difference in safety, with tarmac rallying often taking place on imperfect, bumpy surfaces with grip that can vary metre by metre.  Motorsport ABS thrives in this environment, and its 12-position switch means the driver can adjust the level of ABS intervention throughout the stage, adapting to the conditions and enjoying major advantages over competitors without Motorsport ABS.  

Whether you’re chasing those tenths of a second in time attack, or you’re after peace of mind in tarmac rallying, Bosch Motorsport ABS offers versatile solutions for any discipline.  Contact us today to find out how we can leverage the capabilities of Bosch Motorsport ABS to help you!