Radical launches SR1 entry-level track car
Cheap(ish) new Radical is a new rung on the sports prototype racing ladder, reckons Radical
Presumably in a move designed to provide some sort of balance to the company's recent tentative foray into more road-biased machinery (in the shape of the Radical SR3 SL), the SR1 is a determinedly track-only affair. Radical says its £29,850 (+VAT) offering is aimed at the trackday driver and club racer, and creates a new entry-level rung on the sports-prototype racing ladder (kind of like a Caterham SP300 R, only less powerful and a lot cheaper).
Designed to deliberately ape LMP-style spots prototypes (and indeed created by the same team behind the SR9 LMP2 racer), the SR1 gets the Radical Performance Engine-developed 1,340cc Suzuki four-cylinder engine, which develops 210hp.
Chunky 240mm ventilated brake discs and four-pot calipers help bring the SR1 to a stop, while a six-speed sequential gearbox and Quaife ATB differential transmit the power to the rear wheels via Dunlop slicks, wets or road tyres.
Meanwhile occupants are protected by a comprehensive safety cell and deformable crash structure tested to FIA standards, racing-spec harnesses and an integral fire extinguisher system.
"Over the last decade, the SR range has introduced and inspired a new generation of racing and track driving enthusiasts, and the SR1 extends that engineering development out to a wider audience," says Radical co-founder Phil Abbott. Sounds good to us, Phil...
NB ... For use on a track day, it'll need to change from its slick for most organisers to approve.
The F3 alternative could be made to be cost effective with a change to a less stressed (yet similarly powerful) turbo powerplant .... Whatever happened to all the Formula Audi cars that used the 1.8T motor?
If the latter then you will struggle to get an F3 on most normal trackdays, they don't like open wheelers.
If you want similar track performance for less money, just look at Radical's back catalogue. You should be able to get an ex-racer package (all the options, usually well-maintained, loads of spares) for about one third the price of one of these new.
NB ... For use on a track day, it'll need to change from its slick for most organisers to approve.
A single seat, open wheeled car is not really allowed any more on most UK track days. The days of picking up a sub £10k Formula Ford are long since gone sadly. The most focused track machinery you can take realistically are sports prototypes and even then you have to behave yourselves (I don't want to see them banned too). Which some might find frustrating.
NB ... For use on a track day, it'll need to change from its slick for most organisers to approve.
How much does a test day cost compared to a track day, you'll be allowed to overtake wherever you like there.
NB ... For use on a track day, it'll need to change from its slick for most organisers to approve.
How much does a test day cost compared to a track day, you'll be allowed to overtake wherever you like there.
Here you go, this is from a while back, but it shows that with a bit of courtesy and patience from both parties, you can mix in on a track day. This was a particularly busy couple of laps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ-ucy3AaqM That's only frustrating if you drive aggressively and let it wind you up. Chill, realise that you're as much as an inconvenience to them as they are to you. Hang back, let them get around the bends and pull over to let you by. It's no great shakes. Because for a lot of the time, the track was actually more like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK1wHofF1ZI
Test days are a whole other thing. Firstly you'll need a race license to attend. Secondly you'll be mixing with the egos and heros... Which personally, as someone who just likes driving fast and challenging cars on circuits for fun, isn't really what I want.
Though I would say that if catching people is a worry, go Caterham. Get an R300 and have a ball (get an R500 and you'll be in the same boat).
"Bentley Speed 8-inspired design", was the sales chat at the time...
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