I was checking out the ALMS cars (GT and Protoype) at the Grand Prix of Houston but don't remember that much concentration on the pads/caliper. I thought most of their stuff was focused on the rotor.
I do enjoy seeing the rotors glow at night. That's just another fun part of the race. I'm also a junkie for the suspension cameras.
Upwards of $15,000? The SLR rotors are $12,000 each. The front pads are $2,400 for the set.