Monday 20th December 2004

Radical SR8 can now fly on the ceiling

Latest tests show more downforce than weight

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In its latest tests last Friday, Radical's new SR8 trackday/race car generates more downforce than its weight.

Its new aerodynamic package, penned by Radical's chief designer Nick Walford, was put to the test and passed with what the company called "flying colours". At the SR8's maximum speed of 170mph, the sports prototype produced more downforce than the car's weight, complete with a full tank of fuel and driver.

Seen here in Radical's 2005 works livery, the SR8 has two and a half times as much downforce as its SR3 predecessor.

Radical co-founder Phil Abbott who was at the test said, "We're very pleased with the outcome of the test. Not only does the SR8 have the downforce to match the car's performance, but the car is superbly balanced. Our next test will be to get our best driver, Michael Vergers to drive the car upside down in a tunnel!"

After the all-new car's first outing last week, Vergers said, "The car is awesome. It is the SR3 Turbo and then some. The power delivery is so smooth. This is a truly great car."

Abbott was equally chuffed: "An all-new engine, all-new transaxle and all-new bodywork and the car ran beautifully. The SR8 reaches 150mph before you even know it. It's the fastest car I've ever driven by a mile. We've a little bit more work to do. Fine tuning the engine mapping and a minor gearbox oil leak, were the only issues. We will be in the MIRA wind tunnel on Friday to setup the aero package and back on the circuit next Monday."

The car is back on track today (Monday) and we'll bring you further details as we get them.

[gemini]

beautiful looking track day car

[AndrewD]

Very nice!

[tuffer]

"The car is awesome. It is the SR3 Turbo and then some"......In that case, fit a pair of Turbos and make it "It is the SR3 Turbo and then some plus a whole lot more"

I will not bother placing an order until they have >500hp

[Balmoral Green]

Wouldnt that be a really cool stunt though? actually drive on the ceiling, I wonder if there is anywhere suitable to try it?

[fid]

Balmoral Green said:

Wouldnt that be a really cool stunt though? actually drive on the ceiling, I wonder if there is anywhere suitable to try it?

170mph reached on the level, and then they go for the roll...argh, fuel pick-up problem!

[annodomini2]

Be interesting though if someone were to design a track with a required upside down section!

[kkk]

I really think we Piston Headers must salute the Radical team, as we hear so much about £500k exotica from europe - now, what about someone converting an SR8 for the road, gull wing doors etc ?

>> Edited by kkk on Monday 20th December 16:24

[Badapple]

Wow, i'd love to have a go in one

[FestivAli]

So crazy, I love it, although to be honest I think its an ugly little nut. I ponder sometimes (I could have used the word 'wonder', but then I'm a prat, aren't I?) why you have companies like radical making lovely little track cars, and how come the british cottage industry doesn't do the same except for the road.

[The DJ 27]

I would imagine it will be sold in road legal form, the same as SR3's are. The SR3 Turbo's are all road legal as well, hence why it did hold the production car lap record at the 'Ring.

[Shred-Head]

Who cares?

I'm sorry but I just don't see what all the excitment's about.

Radical became known for building extreme road cars a few years back, and at real world prices that could be reach by people.

This car can't be taken on the road. Even if it was legal it wouldn't be fun on the road, and what about the price? Will it cost less than two Exiges? Probably not!


I'm therefore not interested and suprised that anyone else here is.

Shred

>> Edited by Shred-Head on Tuesday 21st December 09:26

[Melv]

As long as they have a separate session on track days, who does care???

Mel

[TonyF]

Bah Humbug !!!

[ribbo]

"Our next test will be to get our best driver, Michael Vergers to drive the car upside down in a tunnel!"

heh.. the day michael got life insurance

lovely car though

[AndrewD]

Shred-Head said:

I'm therefore not interested and suprised that anyone else here is

Hey, I guess you don't have a monopoly on what people should be interested in?

[daydreamer]

Too true - I feel like a right idiot after that as my second car doesn't have headlamps, a handbrake, indicators, sufficient suspension travel for the road, a passenger seat, fully fitted carpets or a stereo.

It does however have a full roll cage, plumbed in fire extinguisher, FIA cutoff, and soon to get full formula ford engine.

Suits me fine

Love to upgrade to a Radical, but I couldn't afford to race it and would be worried about the financial effects of hitting the wall even on a track day.

>> Edited by daydreamer on Thursday 23 December 12:51

[DanH]

Melv said:

As long as they have a separate session on track days, who does care??? Mel

But thats not the point, they are for racing, or to allow mediocre drivers to badge themselves 'fastest out there' on trackdays.

They've got about as much relevance to a normal trackday as a formula one car imho.

[RR-Eng]

ribbo said:

"Our next test will be to get our best driver, Michael Vergers to drive the car upside down in a tunnel!" heh.. the day michael got life insurance lovely car though

You would deffinatly need the life insurance. As the car climbs the wall it will loose any ground effect based down force it has because the ground between the wheels will curve away from the underside of the car.

You would also need significantly more downforce than the weight of the car get it to run on the ceiling, if you just have enough the weight and the (upwards)down force will cancel out and you will have zero traction to keep the car running at the required speed, you will then impact the ground at 180mph head first.

That said I would love the idea of an upside down section in formula one, you would probably have to enclose the section in a tube or maybe a catch net to stop them falling to their deaths should they loose power or wings.

[kawasicki]

Maybe it wouldn't be completely necessary to maintain the full aerodynamic ground effect while the car is inverting. For example you could use a banked corner to maintain vertical load on the tyres. The track would probably cost a lot to build as it would have a very three dimensional profile. Maybe.

I agree there should be an enclosed road version.

Shane

[VTEC_DOHC]

I find that people who criticise these cars have never even been near one themselves. I can imagine them being an almost unbearable amount of fun to drive.

I used to be a critic of Lotus 7's till a mate let me have a go in his. Now I've got one on order.