RE: Radical Smashes Nordschleife Record

[GTRCLIVE]

Well done but....... I kind of agree with Clarkson on this one, if you cant get over a Std UK speed bump then whats the point, not realy possable to drive there and back from the Ring then It isn't really a Road going car...

Apart from that what the hell there british....

[williamp]

GingerWizard said:

I dont get some people. You drive it to the ring, smash the record, then people bemoan that its not a real road car. What are people taking that makes them so silly? Ketamin? Its as much a road car as a R500/Atom. oh and it just took a massive dump on all the ring pretenders. Bravo boys. Bravo

Edited by GingerWizard on Thursday 20th August 14:13

Maybe because to some of us, getting a fast ring time is irrelevent??? It is to me. As I said before- well done, as you set out to beat a record and you did it. Well done. But calling it a road car? Come on...

[RobM77]

GTRCLIVE said:

Well done but....... I kind of agree with Clarkson on this one, if you cant get over a Std UK speed bump then whats the point, not realy possable to drive there and back from the Ring then It isn't really a Road going car...

Apart from that what the hell there british....

They did drive it there and back though didn't they?

I'd probably rather drive there and back in an SR8 than a Fireblade or even a tourer like a VTR.. More weather protection, more comfortable driving/riding position and better safety.

[Frimley111R]

bales said:

It is hugely impressive but its not (in all honesty) a road car really is it, and as a race car it isn't a hugely impressive time in itself....

+ 1 It'as no more of a road car than an F1 car. Putting lights on it doesn't make it a road car really does it? I liked JC's point that if it won't go over a speed hump its not a road car.

[Stu_00]

Frimley111R said:

bales said:

It is hugely impressive but its not (in all honesty) a road car really is it, and as a race car it isn't a hugely impressive time in itself....

+ 1 It'as no more of a road car than an F1 car. Putting lights on it doesn't make it a road car really does it? I liked JC's point that if it won't go over a speed hump its not a road car.

Not sure I would get in my work car park (with a ramp!) and must be interesting driving it to the ring! if they actually did ....

Love it tho !

[GingerWizard]

williamp said:

GingerWizard said:

I dont get some people. You drive it to the ring, smash the record, then people bemoan that its not a real road car. What are people taking that makes them so silly? Ketamin? Its as much a road car as a R500/Atom. oh and it just took a massive dump on all the ring pretenders. Bravo boys. Bravo

Edited by GingerWizard on Thursday 20th August 14:13

Maybe because to some of us, getting a fast ring time is irrelevent??? It is to me. As I said before- well done, as you set out to beat a record and you did it. Well done. But calling it a road car? Come on...

can you drive it on the road? I'm not being childish here but people always seem to want to over explain, argue, debate what is simple fact. (its why i love PH! ) You can drive this on the road, its as pratical as..... Atom, Caterham, Gumpert, westfeild, Viper ACR (have you seen how impratical that thing is!) the list goes on and on. You might find the ring time irrelevent and i respect that, however if you can drive it accross europe and then wallop the record, thats good enough for me.....

[356Speedster]

Stu_00 said:

Frimley111R said:

bales said:

It is hugely impressive but its not (in all honesty) a road car really is it, and as a race car it isn't a hugely impressive time in itself....

+ 1 It'as no more of a road car than an F1 car. Putting lights on it doesn't make it a road car really does it? I liked JC's point that if it won't go over a speed hump its not a road car.

Not sure I would get in my work car park (with a ramp!) and must be interesting driving it to the ring! if they actually did ....

Love it tho !

Well, they would have had to get it on & off a ferry (or chunnel train), so it's obviously got some element of ground clearance... let's also remember that the 'Ring isn't exaclty billiard table smooth, so it will need to have suspension travel & compliance.

All things considered, it may actually ride better than a B*W with run flats

Road car? It has numberplates, a tax disc and we could all go out and buy one to drive around in, therefore, yes it is! Practical is all relative, so as long as it's legal, it's record should count and no one should be able to take that away. As I said before, shame we don't see more of 'em around.

[Ricky944s2]

Frimley111R said:

bales said:

It is hugely impressive but its not (in all honesty) a road car really is it, and as a race car it isn't a hugely impressive time in itself....

+ 1 It'as no more of a road car than an F1 car. Putting lights on it doesn't make it a road car really does it? I liked JC's point that if it won't go over a speed hump its not a road car.

I bet we all know some nutter that has a caterham 7 and drives it everywhere, rain, hail or snow. Now, thats his road car?? So whats different about the Radical?? Sure it may not be YOUR type of road car, but it is a car that if you choose, you can drive it legally on the road.

As for ''Jeremy Clarksons'' (apparently the inn guy who knows everything about everything ) principle about speed bumps. I use to have a 96 Mini Copper, and with two people in the back, it couldnt go over a speed bump, now I got around ok (driving up various footpaths etc), Im sure i aint alone here???

[Nickellarse]

I wonder if that F1 powered Ford Transit that Clarkson once drove is still around. I wonder what time that would post around the ring.

That's got to be road legal...

[Staffy1984]

Frimley111R said:

bales said:

It is hugely impressive but its not (in all honesty) a road car really is it, and as a race car it isn't a hugely impressive time in itself....

+ 1 It'as no more of a road car than an F1 car. Putting lights on it doesn't make it a road car really does it? I liked JC's point that if it won't go over a speed hump its not a road car.

Isn't there an option on the radicals to have small hydraulic jacks on the suspension struts to get you over the speed bumps, I was checking out the optional extras on the SR8 LM and spotted this

Air jack system (including 3 x jacks, lance and hose kit)

Wouldn't this appease all the the people that still whinge that this isn't really a road car?

It's legal to drive this on the road in the UK, so it's a road car!!!!!

and If you put racing slicks and some other Track only goodies on this then it would definately pull in a more respectable time.

So will all the whingers keep quiet cause I'm trying to bask in some great british glory!!!!!!!!

Edited by Staffy1984 on Thursday 20th August 15:05

[RobM77]

As I said above, what's a road car and what isn't is a very grey area. A friend of mine rides a CBR600 to work every day. No luggage space, very little weather protection, no safety on it, etc. I'd rather take the Radical to the ring! However, it's his everyday transport and it would be laughable not to call it a road bike.

I think the only thing we can say is that the Radical isn't a comfortable tourer of a car, an MPV, an off roader or an estate, because it's quite clearly a road car, just a different sort of road car.

[Gruffy]

I know of at least one Radical that's done full on European grand touring. It's all shades of grey and I really don't think it's as many shades apart from the likes of an R500 or Atom as people believe.

I say publish the entire list and let each person define their own standards for what is and isn't a road car. Is it really critical to have a universally agreed line? It seems as productive as arguing over whether a Sagaris/AMV8/xxx is a super car. It's all so subjective it's pointless.

[flemke]

Staffy1984 said:

Frimley111R said:

bales said:

It is hugely impressive but its not (in all honesty) a road car really is it, and as a race car it isn't a hugely impressive time in itself....

+ 1 It'as no more of a road car than an F1 car. Putting lights on it doesn't make it a road car really does it? I liked JC's point that if it won't go over a speed hump its not a road car.

Isn't there an option on the radicals to have small hydraulic jacks on the suspension struts to get you over the speed bumps, I was checking out the optional extras on the SR8 LM and spotted this

Air jack system (including 3 x jacks, lance and hose kit)

Wouldn't this appease all the the people that still whinge that this isn't really a road car?

It's legal to drive this on the road in the UK, so it's a road car!!!!!

and If you put racing slicks and some other Track only goodies on this then it would definately pull in a more respectable time.

So will all the whingers keep quiet cause I'm trying to bask in some great british glory!!!!!!!!

Sorry, my friend, but that'll be the air-jack system for changing tyres whilst the car is stationary - as is, during a pit stop. It's got nothing to do with raising the ride height to get over road obstacles. That's not to mention which, it requres an external source of compressed air.

[mchammer89]

RobM77 said:

I think the only thing we can say is that the Radical isn't a comfortable tourer of a car, an MPV, an off roader or an estate, because it's quite clearly a road car, just a different sort of road car.

I'm not sure about the comfort aspect, admittedly i've never driven one myself but apparently Caterhams have quite a comfortable driving position for long drives, of course the suspension and tyres are gonna be a little more stiff but i'd say they'd be more comfortable tourers than they're given credit for (weather permitting of course).

Then again, I may be talking bks

[flemke]

tenohfive said:

williamp said:

jontysafe said:

Incredible driving commitment from Michael Vergers to get that time, he must have balls of steel (or carbonfibre more likely). Yes it is a road car in the "stretchiest" sense of the term. Congratulations to Radical. This won`t be beaten by a more road orientated beast as they just don`t have the downforce/lightweight, its not just about power.

yes I agree. Well done and all that, but its not **really** a road car is it? yes its road legal, but in no way pracrtical for road use. We all know they started with a racing car, and made it road legal rather then take a road car and make it into a racing car.

They don't (in that statement at least) say that it is a road car. Its a track car - but one you can actually drive to the track, do your thing, then drive home in. So there is a degree of practicality there (as opposed to taking it on a trailer etc.)

"It is a genuine production sports car."

Great. Too bad that Radical don't appear to understand the reality as well as you do.

Why don't they just put the car on slicks and see what 'ring time it will do on those? That would be a lot more relevant to the car's purpose than this stupid "road-legal production car" pantomime is.

[RobM77]

flemke said:

tenohfive said:

williamp said:

jontysafe said:

Incredible driving commitment from Michael Vergers to get that time, he must have balls of steel (or carbonfibre more likely). Yes it is a road car in the "stretchiest" sense of the term. Congratulations to Radical. This won`t be beaten by a more road orientated beast as they just don`t have the downforce/lightweight, its not just about power.

yes I agree. Well done and all that, but its not **really** a road car is it? yes its road legal, but in no way pracrtical for road use. We all know they started with a racing car, and made it road legal rather then take a road car and make it into a racing car.

They don't (in that statement at least) say that it is a road car. Its a track car - but one you can actually drive to the track, do your thing, then drive home in. So there is a degree of practicality there (as opposed to taking it on a trailer etc.)

"It is a genuine production sports car."

Great. Too bad that Radical don't appear to understand the reality as well as you do.

Why don't they just put the car on slicks and see what 'ring time it will do on those? That would be a lot more relevant to the car's purpose than this stupid "road-legal production car" pantomime is.

See my comparison a few pages back. I worked out that it's the equivalent of 3 secs a lap around Brands off Bellof's time. That might be achievable with brand new soft slicks...

[RobM77]

mchammer89 said:

RobM77 said:

I think the only thing we can say is that the Radical isn't a comfortable tourer of a car, an MPV, an off roader or an estate, because it's quite clearly a road car, just a different sort of road car.

I'm not sure about the comfort aspect, admittedly i've never driven one myself but apparently Caterhams have quite a comfortable driving position for long drives, of course the suspension and tyres are gonna be a little more stiff but i'd say they'd be more comfortable tourers than they're given credit for (weather permitting of course).

Then again, I may be talking bks

No, that's right. Even the single seater that I race is very comfortable with my moulded seat (it has to be; during testing you're in the seat for 2-3 hours or more!). The issue with cars like this (extreme road cars and track cars) is mainly noise and luggage space. Given that Veyron has no luggage space (allegedly; seems too crazy to be true that given how it's clearly a GT and not a sports car), we're mainly talking about noise here, and that's a very subjective thing.

[flemke]

RobM77 said:

flemke said:

tenohfive said:

williamp said:

jontysafe said:

Incredible driving commitment from Michael Vergers to get that time, he must have balls of steel (or carbonfibre more likely). Yes it is a road car in the "stretchiest" sense of the term. Congratulations to Radical. This won`t be beaten by a more road orientated beast as they just don`t have the downforce/lightweight, its not just about power.

yes I agree. Well done and all that, but its not **really** a road car is it? yes its road legal, but in no way pracrtical for road use. We all know they started with a racing car, and made it road legal rather then take a road car and make it into a racing car.

They don't (in that statement at least) say that it is a road car. Its a track car - but one you can actually drive to the track, do your thing, then drive home in. So there is a degree of practicality there (as opposed to taking it on a trailer etc.)

"It is a genuine production sports car."

Great. Too bad that Radical don't appear to understand the reality as well as you do.

Why don't they just put the car on slicks and see what 'ring time it will do on those? That would be a lot more relevant to the car's purpose than this stupid "road-legal production car" pantomime is.

See my comparison a few pages back. I worked out that it's the equivalent of 3 secs a lap around Brands off Bellof's time. That might be achievable with brand new soft slicks...

So around 15 sec faster on NS? That's reasonable.

[Staffy1984]

flemke said:

Staffy1984 said:

Frimley111R said:

bales said:

It is hugely impressive but its not (in all honesty) a road car really is it, and as a race car it isn't a hugely impressive time in itself....

+ 1 It'as no more of a road car than an F1 car. Putting lights on it doesn't make it a road car really does it? I liked JC's point that if it won't go over a speed hump its not a road car.

Isn't there an option on the radicals to have small hydraulic jacks on the suspension struts to get you over the speed bumps, I was checking out the optional extras on the SR8 LM and spotted this

Air jack system (including 3 x jacks, lance and hose kit)

Wouldn't this appease all the the people that still whinge that this isn't really a road car?

It's legal to drive this on the road in the UK, so it's a road car!!!!!

and If you put racing slicks and some other Track only goodies on this then it would definately pull in a more respectable time.

So will all the whingers keep quiet cause I'm trying to bask in some great british glory!!!!!!!!

Sorry, my friend, but that'll be the air-jack system for changing tyres whilst the car is stationary - as is, during a pit stop. It's got nothing to do with raising the ride height to get over road obstacles. That's not to mention which, it requres an external source of compressed air.

Shhhhhhhiznit, use smaller font or something, I very nearly made a valid point there, and your making me look like a complete plum LOL

I'm Still basking though, think i might get me an SR4.

Edited by Staffy1984 on Thursday 20th August 15:28

[flemke]

RobM77 said:

mchammer89 said:

RobM77 said:

I think the only thing we can say is that the Radical isn't a comfortable tourer of a car, an MPV, an off roader or an estate, because it's quite clearly a road car, just a different sort of road car.

I'm not sure about the comfort aspect, admittedly i've never driven one myself but apparently Caterhams have quite a comfortable driving position for long drives, of course the suspension and tyres are gonna be a little more stiff but i'd say they'd be more comfortable tourers than they're given credit for (weather permitting of course).

Then again, I may be talking bks

No, that's right. Even the single seater that I race is very comfortable with my moulded seat (it has to be; during testing you're in the seat for 2-3 hours or more!). The issue with cars like this (extreme road cars and track cars) is mainly noise and luggage space. Given that Veyron has no luggage space (allegedly; seems too crazy to be true that given how it's clearly a GT and not a sports car), we're mainly talking about noise here, and that's a very subjective thing.

The main difference, in road car terms, between the SR8LM and the Veyron is noise?

I'd say there's a lot more to it than only that.