Been thinking about your question because I went through this exact same headache when I started pushing my Z06 harder. Tbh, those stock pads are basically just for street flex.

I would suggest checking out these two for a better track experience:

* Carbotech XP12 Brake Pads: These are my absolute favorites. They have huge bite but are way easier on the rotors than the Hawks. Plus, the dust isn't corrosive so it wont ruin your finish.
* Ferodo DS1.11 Racing Brake Pads: These are basically indestructible endurance pads. They stay SUPER consistent all day even when you're deep into those heavy braking zones.

Honestly, switching to the XP12s was a total game changer for me. I stopped worrying about fade and actually started hitting my marks properly! gl!

> I’m starting to experience some noticeable brake fade after just a few hot laps. I’m really looking for something more aggressive that can handle higher operating temperatures without eating my rotors alive.

Sooo I totally get the struggle! I literally just started tracking my C7 Z06 last year and the brake fade on the stock setup scared the heck out of me going into Turn 1 at my local track. I'm still kinda new to the scene, but I've been obsessing over the costs cuz track days get pricey fast, right??

Anyway, I switched to the Ferodo DS2500 Brake Pads first because I wanted something that wouldn't squeal like a bus on the street, but honestly? For a car with 650hp, they still felt a bit soft when things got REALLY hot. After asking around, I finally grabbed a set of PowerStop Z26 Extreme Street Performance Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads for my daily driving and a set of Hawk Performance DTC-60 Race Brake Pads for track days.

I think the DTC-60 is basically the sweet spot for us beginners who are starting to push harder. They have AMAZING bite! Like, serious neck-snapping stopping power. The downside is they're kinda dusty and they definitely wear the rotors faster than street pads, but it’s sooo much cheaper than crashing cuz of fade lol. I also swapped my fluid to Castrol SRF React Racing Brake Fluid which was a total game changer for consistency. Seriously, if ur still on stock fluid, change that first! It's a bit of an investment but lasts way longer. Good luck out there!! 👍

Respectfully, I'd consider another option before jumping straight to those super aggressive race pads like the XP12s. While they're great, they can be overkill if you're still doing some street driving, plus they're pricey and loud as hell. Honestly, if you're looking for the best bang-for-your-buck to handle that Z06 heat without destroying your budget or rotors, I've had way better luck with Ferodo Racing DS1.11 Brake Pads.

I mean, they're technically a heavy-duty endurance compound, so they literally don't fade even when you're pushing hard for 30-minute sessions. Unlike some hybrids, these have a super flat torque curve, so the bite feels the same every single time you hit the pedal. It's way more predictable!! Also, they're much kinder to your rotors than the Hawk DTC series. Pair them with some high-temp fluid like Castrol SRF React Racing Brake Fluid and you're basically set for the season. It's a bit of an investment up front, but they last sooo much longer than cheaper pads, so you actually save money in the long run. gl with the track days!!

Great info, saved!

Exactly what I was thinking