ABOUT:

What did Mario Andretti mean when he said, “It is amazing how many drivers... think the brakes are for slowing the car down”?

Or Ross Bentley’s reminder: “If the car feels like it is on rails, you're probably driving too slow”?

These aren’t just clever quotes—they're challenges to rethink how we drive. This blog is built on that mindset.

Those quotes stuck with me because driving fast isn’t just about speed. It’s about intention, awareness, feel, and pushing limits with control. That’s what this blog is about.

Brake Trail Rotate started as a way to document my own path in high performance driving—starting from HPDEs, into time attack, and everything in between. But it’s grown into something more: hopefully a resource for fellow drivers looking to improve, connect, and stay curious about the craft.

Along the way, I tap into my engineering background to bring a technical lens to topics like data analysis, vehicle dynamics, and driver development. Whether it’s interpreting lap data or breaking down what makes a car feel “right,” I aim to bridge intuition with information.

Whether you’re figuring out how to prep for your first track day or chasing tenths in sector 2, you’ll find something here to help you level up.

You can expect:

  • Track day and time attack tips for all levels

  • How-to guides on data analysis, car setup, and driver development

  • Event recaps from all over

  • Spotlights on drivers and shops doing cool things in the community

  • And a few thoughts on mindset, progress, and why this all matters

I’m not here to preach—I’m here to learn out loud.
And if it helps the next driver along the way? Even better.

Let’s go faster—on purpose.

Phu Bui is an engineering professional in the automotive OEM and professional motorsports industry, with over a decade of experience in powertrain R&D and dynamometer systems testing. After getting started in HPDEs back in 2019, he began competing in local time attack events across Southern California.

After a stint in the Midwest chasing down new tracks and perspectives, Phu has since moved back to Southern California—right where it all began. Now, he’s more focused than ever on exploring what it takes to go faster, think deeper, and help others do the same.

For more on the motivation behind the blog, check out Why This Blog and How I Got Here…

 

@braketrailrotate

West Coast…..y’all truly are the Best Coast. Thanks for the hospitality. I’ll be back. But for now, looking forward to getting to know the Midwest tracks! 📸: @nic.tellez
Leaving work on a Friday like…. . . . . . #dirtfish #dirtfishrally #dirtfishrallyschool #brz #gt86 #frs #gr86 #86cup #whenindoubtflatout #liftturnbrake #liftturnwait #fastsideways #braketrailrotate #rallycars #rallyracing #carcontrol #carcontr
Finally got a chance to sort through some shots from last weekend’s @24hoursoflemons #Yokohama Days of @thunderhillracewaypark. Here are some of my favorites. 📸: @nomadilux / @braketrailrotate . . . . #lemonsracing #24hrsoflemons #lemonsrac
What a weekend. Unfortunately we had to retire the car and DNF due to another brake issue. But what a way to be introduced to “wheel-to-wheel” racing. I learned so much: 1. Track awareness. Constant cars around you. Mostly being passed
Day 1 is a wrap. We were making some really good pace and was running in the top 30 after the first stint. Unfortunately, second stint we had two incidents, and got hit, which dropped us back a bit. By the time I got in, I was trying to nurse the c
This car is actually way more fun than I thought! Throttle is just an On/Off switch, and it basically has no brakes 😂. Got some good practice laps in today. Radio ✅ Cool Suit ✅ Driver Change Practice ✅ Refuel Practice ✅ Let’s see if we can