Brake rotor having an array of grooves formed thereon

A rotor has an array of grooves formed on the brake pad contact surface. The array is preferably formed as a repeating pattern of regularly spaced grooves. The repeating pattern of grooves creates a plurality of radially and circumferentially offset rings of grooves. The rings can radially overlap. The rotor is preferably ventilated having two brake pad contact surfaces separated by a plurality of vanes. The grooves are preferably arranged on the brake pad contact surfaces between the vanes. The grooves can have various configurations and shapes. The array of grooves increases friction between a brake rotor and brake pads, and decreases the thermal gradient and thermal distortion on the brake pad contact surfaces.