The Incredible Story of Disc Brakes: Video
New Documentary The Racers That Stopped the World tells the fascinating story of how disc brakes were born.
When Sir Stirling Moss died in April of last year, the “greatest driver to never win a championship” was just ten years away from the century mark. Now, to make it to 90 years old is an achievement for anyone. And when you consider the extremely dangerous period when he competed? It’s nearly unbelievable.
Fatalities among racing drivers were obscenely high during the “golden age of racing,” and would never be tolerated today. Frankly, it’s incredible that they ever were. So if watching an elderly Moss climb into the very Jaguar C-Type he and factory test driver Norman Dewis took achingly close to victory in the 1952 Mille Miglia doesn’t make you a little misty? You should probably check your pulse.
But The Racers that Stopped the World isn’t about how dangerous post-war racing was. Well, not exactly. Instead, it’s a succinct, sentimental look at how Moss and Dewis — along with industry leaders Dunlop and Jaguar — took a finicky bit of aircraft technology and made it ubiquitous on the road vehicles of the world.
As former Formula 1 driver Martin Bundle explains in the film, the disc brake was the bit of kit which transformed the brake pedal into “something that actually wanted to do its job, instead of a nice place to rest your foot while you had an accident.” It’s a funny line, for sure — though anyone who’s experienced the “performance” of scary old drum brakes will identify.
The quip is also a good jumping off point to consider just how many lives have been saved, not just on the track, but on surface streets and country roads, because cars were able to come to a stop, instead of making their occupants victims of an over-heated, fade-prone drum system. The video’s YouTube description says it could rival penicillin, which seems like a stretch to me, even if I’d be happy to hear arguments.
Given the ephemeral nature of the question, it’s impossible to get any kind of concrete answer. That said, it’s not hard to figure that this humble construction of disc, caliper, and piston saved at least as many people from injury or premature death as the seat belt. It’s also something to keep in your back pocket if you happen to hear anyone dismiss racing as a pointless, frivolous pursuit. Because racing has always been the anvil on which tomorrow’s safety tech is forged.
Along with Moss, Dewis, and Brundle, this lovely little documentary features appearances from racing icons like the Sir Jackie Stewart, five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell, journalist Andrew Frankel, and commentator Murry Walker. It’s an interesting, profoundly affecting take on a fascinating chapter in history of motor racing, and features a few laughs along with the bittersweet moments. This should be required viewing for any fan of motorsport, and for Jaguar aficionados especially. Enjoy.
Photos: YouTube
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