Abstract: A brake apparatus that is designed to brake a drag race vehicle that is movable within a track of an amusement ride. The braking apparatus includes a pair of braking units that each include movable portions that are movable toward each other so as to clamp onto a guide plate that is being carried by the vehicle as it moves along the track. This clamping onto the guide plate results in slowing and eventual stopping of the vehicle. The braking units are movable by means of inflatable bladders into the braking position. The braking units are mounted on metallic cross beams which are fixedly mounted to the track. The movable portions of the braking units are slidably mounted on the metallic cross beams. Longitudinal movement of the movable portions, which occurs during the braking position, is to evenly apply pressure against each of the metallic cross beams. Each of the braking units are continuously spring biased toward the non-braking position.