AP Racing
ActiveOverview
AP Racing is a manufacturer of performance brake and clutch systems for road and race cars, based in Coventry, UK. It supplies components to international motorsport series including Formula One, where it has contributed to every championship win since 1967 and over 868 victories.125
History
Founded in 1920 as Automotive Products by Edward Boughton, Willie Emmott, and Denis Brock, initially importing components for ex-military vehicles.25 The company expanded into brake and clutch manufacturing in the 1920s and 1930s, formed a Competition Products division in 1967 for motorsport, and rebranded it to AP Racing in 1970.5 AP Racing moved to Coventry in 1990, was acquired by Brembo in 2000, and introduced Radi-CAL caliper technology in 2007.5
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Forged Radi-CAL Calipers (high-performance brake calipers) | motorsport and road upgrade applications | $1,500 - $5,000 |
| PRO 5000 R Calipers (forged race calipers) | competition racing series | $2,000 - $4,500 |
| WR2 Generation 2 Calipers (forged HPK Radi-CAL) | performance road and track | $1,800 - $4,000 |
| Competition Brake Discs (vented and slotted) | racing and high-performance | $300 - $1,200 |
| Race Clutches (paddle and multi-plate) | motorsport transmissions | $800 - $2,500 |
| Master Cylinders and Pedal Boxes (hydraulic controls) | race car setups | $200 - $800 |
Manufacturing
AP Racing manufactures products at its headquarters in Coventry, UK, with facilities expanded to 15,000m² by 2018.25 Production includes in-house design and fabrication of calipers, discs, clutches, and related components for motorsport and performance applications.1
Notable Products
- Radi-CAL Calipers - Asymmetric design for lighter weight, stiffness, and cooling in F1 to road cars since 2007.
- Forged PRO 5000 R Calipers - Launched in 2014 for high-end racing and performance upgrades.
- WR2 Gen 2 Forged Calipers - Introduced in 2016 as upgrade option with HPK technology.
- Internally Liquid Cooled Calipers - First introduced in 1993 for NASCAR, touring cars, and rally.
- JCB Dieselmax Braking System - Supplied in 2006 for land speed record vehicle decelerating from 200mph.
Reputation
AP Racing is recognized by motorsport professionals for its reliability and success, supplying over 30 champions in 2023 and every F1 title since 1967.1 Enthusiasts value its race-derived technology like Radi-CAL for performance road applications.3 Some note higher pricing compared to mass-market alternatives, though justified by motorsport pedigree.2