SR3 First track day - any tips?

[struan80]

Hi guys,

I've now got my SR3 up and running at long long last(Thanks to Graham Brunton)and will be taking her out for my first track day at Knockhill on the 1st March, I am very excited and rather nervous about the prospect. (Nerves due to me rolling my XR2 on my last track outing, but that's another story! )

Do you chaps have any tips for a novice Radical driver? The car has the original stick sequential with no auto-blip, is it a necessity to heel and toe on downshift? Do I need to clutch on up-shift or will blip do the job? etc

I have raced a mini cooper and the XR2 in the SMRC previously so I'm not a complete novice on the track but the Radical will be a different kettle of fish.

Any tips would be appreciated.

All going well I plan to take some trips down south and do track days at as many UK tracks as possible, so i'll maybe see some of you down there sometime, in my rear view mirror of course :P

I have go-pro at the ready so will post a vid of how I got on.

Struan

Edit: my previous thread with some pics http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by struan80 on Thursday 13th February 09:02

Edited by struan80 on Thursday 13th February 09:08

[ScorpKing]

I am a novice SR3 SL driver and the first and most important point that I'm sure you're already aware of is Don't push hard with cold tyres as they really do like to spin you off ! Doesn't take much more than a couple of laps (knockhill circuit size)to get some grip into them. Have fun !

[dunc_sx]

Glad you're getting out Struan. Heal toe on down shifts, small lift and no clutch on the ups (but you can use the clutch if you want). Read through the sr3 owners manual/guide, available on Simon Tillings website IIRC?

Main thing I would say is to make sure you change gear in the correct direction, perhaps leaving some revs in reserve to begin with as a safety margin. Have a play with the brake bias and as stated try to get everything warmed up (not easy ayt knockie March!)

Enjoy, might pop along on the 1st

Dunc.

Edit: Oh and don't take the kerbs like you do in the xr2/mini's

Edited by dunc_sx on Friday 14th February 12:25

Edited by dunc_sx on Friday 14th February 12:31

[struan80]

Hi Dunc,

Thanks for the tips, are you out in yours on the 1st or just coming along for a look? You can have a lap or two in mine if you fancy it?

And yes I will try and avoid the sausage kerbs, i've learned my lesson with those buggers

I'll need to work on the heel/toe technique I can do it on my sim rig with the SR8 just need to put it into practice in the real world now.

Edited by struan80 on Saturday 15th February 08:49

[dunc_sx]

Hi Struan,

Sent you an email a few days ago if you've not seen it

Cheers,

Dunc.

[Richard7K]

What is the best heel and toe technique in a Radical?
Just a light tap of the throttle to bring the revs up?

Rich

[mnrvortxf20c]

flatshifter!

[BertBert]

Richard7K said:

What is the best heel and toe technique in a Radical?
Just a light tap of the throttle to bring the revs up?

Rich

Like this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cig06FhiQmE

[struan80]

Radical SR3 up for sale. this time definitely as to be honest it's potential speed scared the crap out of me when I had it out on the 1st March.

2002 No. 19 of Production line

RPE 1500 Hyabusa
Floating Brakes
Air Jacks fitted
1 set of wheels with worn slicks that need replaced
1 set of wheels with very good wets
Some spares, including front splitter

Car has spent last couple of months with Graham Brunton (SMRC secretary and runs Formula fords) getting diff leak fixed, prepped and has had a new clutch and drive shaft fitted since my first and last trackday on 1st March.

Car is now mechanically very good but bodywork could use a bit of TLC

Car is currently located at Graham's garage at Knockhill for viewing.

Car comes with free Brian James Trailer.

I'm looking for £13,950 for the car and Trailer. But make an offer, you never know, no silly offers please! (Have spent too much on this car recently getting it spot on). Have a look around the net, no chance you will find anything close to this kind of price for an SR3 anywhere.

Please contact me by pm, e-mail [e-mail]. Mobile [phone] (I'm offshore for next couple of weeks so can't get phone but send me an e-mail and I can call you. Car is available for viewing most days at KH by arrangement)

Previous owner was Ryan Sharp - Hitech Racing

Thanks for looking.

Photos from 1st March TS trackday (scott? thanks for photos)

[Sigmamark7]

I'm disappointed for you mate. I had my SR3RS out for the first time at a very cold but mainly dry Bedford on 22 March - struggled with the noise test, finally got out on track mid morning, harmless spin 3 laps in because the tyres were still very cold, never got any heat in the tyres all day and had another 360 late in the day when I looked deep into my bag of talent and found it empty, but what a great day.
I've been doing trackdays on bikes and cars for years and came from a long circuit Kart background, but the aero grip was a revelation.
I'm not sure that Knockhill would have been my choice for a first outing, but the cars are massively capable and I doubt that many people ever manage to explore all of its capabilities, but we can all improve as drivers.
Are you sure it has to go?

[baja1969]

Sigmamark7 said:

I'm disappointed for you mate. I had my SR3RS out for the first time at a very cold but mainly dry Bedford on 22 March - struggled with the noise test, finally got out on track mid morning, harmless spin 3 laps in because the tyres were still very cold, never got any heat in the tyres all day and had another 360 late in the day when I looked deep into my bag of talent and found it empty, but what a great day.
I've been doing trackdays on bikes and cars for years and came from a long circuit Kart background, but the aero grip was a revelation.
I'm not sure that Knockhill would have been my choice for a first outing, but the cars are massively capable and I doubt that many people ever manage to explore all of its capabilities, but we can all improve as drivers.
Are you sure it has to go?

Had mine out at Cadwell on Monday last week, I know what you mean about the aero, we were blessed with sunny weather so the track was dry and i did manage to get the slicks a little warm, only thing on track that was anywhere near quick enough beat the SR3 was 2x Time attack norris design Evo's with 650Bhp, I'm just living the dream not bothered if the car is better than i will ever be, its smiles all round from me.

[ScorpKing]

As stated in earlier reply I have had my race spec SL for a year and took it to Spa on 22nd and 23rd March. I had every concievable weather condition. Car was fantastic ( I had full nanny aero settting - max wing angles) really learned how capable the car is. I agree that the circuit is important in how the car works. I have been on many of the shorter circuits in UK but will be mainly using Donny,Oulton,Silvestone,Brands for my Radical track days in the future. I think you should give it another few goes as I had the same trepidation as well.
Good luck.

[nightSpirit]

struan80 said:

Radical SR3 up for sale. this time definitely as to be honest it's potential speed scared the crap out of me when I had it out on the 1st March.

2002 No. 19 of Production line

RPE 1500 Hyabusa
Floating Brakes
Air Jacks fitted
1 set of wheels with worn slicks that need replaced
1 set of wheels with very good wets
Some spares, including front splitter

Car has spent last couple of months with Graham Brunton (SMRC secretary and runs Formula fords) getting diff leak fixed, prepped and has had a new clutch and drive shaft fitted since my first and last trackday on 1st March.

Car is now mechanically very good but bodywork could use a bit of TLC

Car is currently located at Graham's garage at Knockhill for viewing.

Car comes with free Brian James Trailer.

I'm looking for £13,950 for the car and Trailer. But make an offer, you never know, no silly offers please! (Have spent too much on this car recently getting it spot on). Have a look around the net, no chance you will find anything close to this kind of price for an SR3 anywhere.

Please contact me by pm, e-mail [e-mail]. Mobile [phone] (I'm offshore for next couple of weeks so can't get phone but send me an e-mail and I can call you. Car is available for viewing most days at KH by arrangement)

Previous owner was Ryan Sharp - Hitech Racing

Thanks for looking.

Photos from 1st March TS trackday (scott? thanks for photos)

What colour is your car mate? I'm getting mine wrapped soon and looking for inspiration.

[ScorpKing]

You can see my SR3 SL on my profile - It is now minus the "R" on the bonnet ! End plates are still red which stop folk walking into them !