MX-5 and entry cars
Toyota GR86
Braking numbers for the Toyota GR86 in iRacing, worked out from its grip estimate. Open any example in the Brake Planner to change the speed or corner.
Example braking zones
Fastest apex speed for each corner and the braking it takes to get there, assuming a corner arc of 100 m.
| Corner | Entry | Apex | Brake before apex | Time | ABS or lock-up at 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast sweeper | 150 km/h | 133 km/h | 27 m | 0.69 s | From the start |
| Medium 90° corner | 140 km/h | 94 km/h | 49 m | 1.56 s | after 11 m |
| Hairpin after a long straight | 160 km/h | 70 km/h | 84 m | 2.77 s | after 47 m |
How to brake in the Toyota GR86
Entry cars like the MX-5 and GR86 have almost no downforce, so grip stays the same from the top of the straight to the apex. The ideal pedal is close to flat until the turn-in point.
They are light and soft, so weight transfer matters more than raw grip. A smooth release rotates the car; snapping off the pedal unloads the front and the car pushes.
- Brake later than feels natural: these cars lose little speed on the straight, but stop quickly.
- Practise trail braking here. The habits carry over to every faster car.
- Check whether your car has ABS before trusting the limit zone in the planner.
In a 90° corner at 140 km/h this means braking about 49 m before the apex and trailing the pedal down to 12% by the apex.