Better Octavia WRC brakes mean less tiring drive.

Sometimes it is the smallest changes which can have the biggest impact.

The world of rallying is no exception, with rally cars, including the Octavia WRC, under constant review, with the engineers always on the look out for small modifications that can be made to improve the performance of the car and thereby improve the job of the drivers.

This season, one small cosmetic change has not only resulted in a better performance of the braking system of the Octavia WRC but has the additional advantage of making it a more comfortable driving position for Skoda Motorsport drivers.

Last Autumn Skoda Motorsport engineers began work on a small modification to the pedal boxes, in particular the braking one. From the first event of World Rally Championship in Monte Carlo, drivers from the Skoda Motorsport team have been using a different set of pedals within their Octavia WRC.

The primary alteration is how the brake pedal is now attached to the brake operation via the pedal box. Last season drivers had to push forward into their pedal box, which was attached from above, in this season they are pushing the pedals attached on the floor of the driver cab. Aside from being a more energy efficient way of braking, the modification has also led to a small but beneficial reduction of weight within the car.

As a world class rally car every gram of weight is critical to the performance of the Octavia WRC. So the Skoda Motorsport World Rally Team is constantly developing new ways of making the car lighter and faster. The new pedal box is made from an aluminium cast and is lighter than old one, which has been made from sheet steel.

But aside from the weight advantage, Skoda Motorsport drivers are the main beneficiaries of the new pedal box and they all welcomed the change. As Skoda Motorsport's chief engineer Dietmer Metrich explained: "The advantage is simple, it is more ergonomic. The drivers don't need to apply so much force when pushing the braking pedal and at the end of the hard racing day they are less tired."

The drivers were quick to adapt to the new system, which they first became familiar with during testing. Although the new direction of braking requires them to modify their normal driving pattern, they all agree that they prefer the new pedal placing.

Skoda Motorsport's most experienced driver, 45 year old Kenneth Eriksson said: "The new pedal boxes certainly suit me. There is more feeling to the way you brake with the new position. You can apply less pressure and you are more able to feel the lock up points in the brakes. It is another step forward."