Upgrade Motorsport - Blog

Upgrade Motorsport has developed a modern range of Girling master cylinder direct fit replacements engineered specifically for modern motorsport, race car, rally, drift, track day, Formula Student, and performance automotive applications.

Formula Student has become one of the most important motorsport engineering competitions in the world. Every year, university teams across Europe, Asia, North America, and beyond design, manufacture, and race highly advanced single seat race cars while developing the future engineers of the motorsport industry.

A high-performance braking system is not defined by a single component, but by the integration of the entire hydraulic system.

Brake bias control is critical in motorsport, allowing drivers to optimise braking force distribution between front and rear axles.

he master cylinder is the core component of any motorsport hydraulic braking system, responsible for converting pedal force into hydraulic pressure. Its specification directly determines braking efficiency, modulation, and driver confidence.

When it comes to braking performance in motorsport, few components are as critical or as misunderstood as the master cylinder. Get the sizing wrong and you end up with a long, soft pedal or a rock hard pedal with no modulation. Get it right and you unlock confidence, consistency and performance under braking.

The Reality Most Drivers Miss. Most drivers focus on power, tyres, and suspension but not How to stop a race car faster. Very few truly understand braking. Yet braking is where lap time is won or lost.

If your motorsport brake pedal feels inconsistent, soft, or vague on track, you are not alone. Most drivers and teams assume it is: Air in the system Brake fluid Pads or discs But often, the real issue is deeper.

Our formula student engineering goal for this year is "Performance Improvement based on Reliability." The consecutive DNFs (Did Not Finish) in endurance races over the past two years have taught us a clear lesson: finishing the race is the priority.

This article is Part 1 of a three part blog series following the progress of PARA, Pusan National University’s Formula Student Team from South Korea, throughout the season. Across the year we will share their development journey, engineering challenges, testing milestones, and competition performance as they push towards their 2026 goals.

Every successful motorsport project starts with confidence in the braking system. Whether you are competing in drifting, rally, circuit racing, hillclimb, time attack, Formula Student or you are building a high performance track or kit car, brake feel and brake balance are critical to how a vehicle performs.

Aerodynamics Promises to Redefine How F1 Cars will Look. Formula 1 has always been a battle between imagination and regulation, engineers pushing boundaries while the rulebook tries to keep pace. As the 2026 regulation changes approach, the next era of F1 aerodynamics promises to redefine how F1 cars look, feel, and perform. The focus is shifting from raw downforce toward smarter efficiency, where every cubic meter of air counts, and sustainability becomes just as vital as s

The motorsport brake bias balance bar and cable are the most effective tools for fine-tuning your braking performance in motorsport. Whether you’re building a race, rally, or track-day car, getting your brake balance setup correct can dramatically improve stability, corner entry control, and overall lap consistency.

Why This Guide Matters. We’ve recently seen a few customers experience fitment issues, including stripped threads and minor fluid leaks, during installation.These problems are almost always caused by incorrect fitting, incorrect torque, using the wrong flare type, or over-tightening the M10 fittings. To help prevent this, we’ve created this detailed Upgrade Motorsport Bias Valve Correct Fittings & Torque Settings Installation Guide. In this guide we cover the correct fittings

If the front wing sets the tone and the floor generates the power, then the sidepods and midsection of a Formula 1 car are where the real artistry of aerodynamic design comes alive.

Precision braking is the cornerstone of performance driving. Whether you are setting up a track car, developing a rally vehicle or fine-tuning a kit car for road and competition, understanding how hydraulic components interact will transform your driving experience. The master cylinder, brake bias valve, and hydraulic handbrake each play a critical role in how braking pressure, pedal feel and control are delivered to the wheels.

When people think of Formula 1 aerodynamics, they picture massive wings, sleek floors, and aggressive diffusers. But some of the most important aerodynamic work happens in places you might never look, around the wheels, inside the brake ducts, and even along the suspension arms. These components don’t just support or cool the car, they’re meticulously sculpted to shape airflow and reduce drag. This is the world of hidden aero, subtle, complex, and absolutely vital.

Lever and Screw Type Brake Bias Valve – Installation, Bleeding & Fitment Guide. Upgrade your brake system with precision using the Lever Type or Screw Brake Bias Valve and follow this guide to ensure safe, efficient installation and optimal performance. Upgrade your brake system with precision using the Lever Type or Screw Brake Bias Valve. Follow this guide to ensure safe, efficient installation and optimal performance.

his guide covers how to properly bench-bleed, install, and bleed the full brake system using your Upgrade billet flange master cylinder. Correct procedure is vital to ensure firm, consistent pedal feel and eliminate trapped air.

Before installing the master cylinder in your vehicle, you must bench bleed it. This process removes trapped air within the bore and ports that cannot be purged easily once installed. Skipping this step can leave air bubbles inside the master cylinder, leading to a soft pedal, uneven hydraulic pressure, and poor brake performance.