I agree with what you are saying. But, have you ever run out of brakes on the street? I haven't. Nor on any mountain passes. I would also argue that stock street pads stop you car better than R-compound pads for the first couple of stops until the race pads heat up. My point in the original reply was that unless you ARE fading your brakes regularly (what that is) you don't NEED bigger brakes. If you are fading the brakes there are other options to bigger brakes. I would predict most people put in bigger brakes because they think they NEED them or they think they look cool.

I took my bone stock Saab to the track in 95 degree weather. No problems with the brakes or cooling system, I never went to brake for a turn and had the pucker factor go to infinity because the pedal went to the floor or I thought I wasn't going to stop. I was going as hard as that 150 hp engine would pull me, but then I was on Street tires so maybe I wasn't carrying as much speed. I think proper braking technique is very critical to reducing brake fade. Of course proper cooling with brake ducts is a nice way to avoid fade.