Wednesday 24th October 2012

Chris Hoy goes racing Radicals

Britain's most decorated Olympian finds a new avenue for his competitive spirit...

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Radical's new SR1 Cup series - kind of a Caterham Academy with downforce - is intended as a beginner's route into racing. But at least one of the field is anything but a newbie on the track, counting 11 world championships and six Olympic gold medals to his name. OK, he's more used to pedalling himself round the track but Chris Hoy's competitive instincts should more than compensate for any relative lack of motor racing experience.

Hoy with instructor and racer Ian Flux

Cyclists, eh. Can't escape them, even on the circuit! But it turns out Sir Chris is, like many PHers, perfectly happy to dabble in both pedal power and horsepower and has, over the years, been perfecting his track day craft between racking up the gold medals at the velodrome. And now that he's got a bit of time on his hands channelling that competitive urge onto four wheels was a natural step.

PH has had an early taste of the back to (relative) basics SR1 ahead of its first championship next season and mighty impressive it is too. 185hp is plenty to be going on with, downforce and slicks making for a very different feel from the minimal grip and rather more lairy Caterham Academy cars wannabe racers looking for an off-the-shelf entry into motorsport might consider. We've had a taste of that too of course, Radical obviously keen to offer a stepping stone to its faster and more established championships much in the way Caterham does with a £45K, fully inclusive step-by-step programme including car, ARDS test, testing days, sprints and then full-blown racing.

Don't expect him to be any less competitive

So what does Hoy make of the Radical? Obviously thrilled to have Britain's most decorated Olympian on board Radical hasn't been shy with the publicity, quoting him as saying "It's challenging but exciting" in a press release. "I think it's going to take me a little time to get used to the aerodynamics," he continues. "There's a bit of a leap of faith throwing yourself into the corner and braking later than the point you would normally brake ... so it's a whole new experience."

Instructors Andy Wallace, who guided us through our taste of the SR1, and Ian Flux (pictured) both sound impressed with Hoy's skills too. Beginner or not, anyone expecting an easy ride in the SR1 championship had best think again!

[eddieantifreeze]

Good luck to him!

I met him at a trackday a while ago when I was doing my ARDS, fair play he really wasn't hanging about!

I had a brief conversation with him and he is well into it!

[garypotter]

Great for the company and the race series to have such a household name entered.
Good luck to all the racers in this sereis, iw ill be looking out for you next yr the results and hopefully to come and watch a race.

[James1972]

How does he get his thighs under the steering wheel?

[28jaguar]

He's going to compete in next year's Australian GP celebrity race.

[cambuscat]

He owns/owned a Caterham, can't remember which engine.

David

[M@1975]

I bet he needs a nodded seat to get his massive legs in!

[rhinochopig]

M@1975 said:

I bet he needs a nodded seat to get his massive legs in!

Yeah, but think of the weight saving by not needing air-jacks

[TheDeadPrussian]

cambuscat said:

He owns/owned a Caterham, can't remember which engine.

David

He had an R400 - he now has a Lotus 2-Eleven.
There's an interview with him in TG magazine - he is a brand ambassador for Jaguar...

[MentalRental]

I can confirm he has a black 2-11. I had the pleasure of hunting him down over a few laps earlier this year in my Atom. Quite enjoyable to say i've overtook Sir Chris Hoy on circuit.

[Marc W]

He's not the only gold medal winning Cyclist racing, Jason kenny raced a Ginetta G20 at the last Ginetta GT5 championship races of the season at Donington Park.

[thechosenfamily]

MentalRental said:

I can confirm he has a black 2-11. I had the pleasure of hunting him down over a few laps earlier this year in my Atom. Quite enjoyable to say i've overtook Sir Chris Hoy on circuit.

I moment to be proud of because there are not many people in the world can say that have passed him on a track

[SmartVenom]

This gives me a dilemma:

Would it be wrong to chuck my bike in the boot and bring it along so as to ask him to sign next time I see the radicals at the same meeting as me?

[ant leigh]

Track cycling and roadcycling is not just about fitness, strength and speed.
Bike handling skills are just as important, watch the sprint finishes in the TdF.
So CH and JK will have good instincts as a starting point for switching to 4 wheels

[Stingercut]

As an ex racing cyclist, I can confirm it makes you a much better driver, observation is better, as is your appreciation of the best racing line and mental calculation of dynamic speed with people all around you in close proximity....oh...and not forgetting, an aggressive will to win

Edited by Stingercut on Wednesday 24th October 14:05

[rhinochopig]

SmartVenom said:

This gives me a dilemma:

Would it be wrong to chuck my bike in the boot and bring it along so as to ask him to sign next time I see the radicals at the same meeting as me?

Do it, as long as you pick a quiet moment. He can only say no.

[steveb8189]

I bet he won't complain about the clutch being heavy!

... waiting for some clever reply about it being a paddleshift or something...

[MocMocaMoc]

Stingercut said:

As an ex racing cyclist, I can confirm it makes you a much better driver, observation is better, as is your appreciation of the best racing line and mental calculation of dynamic speed with people all around you in close proximity....oh...and not forgetting, an aggressive will to win

Edited by Stingercut on Wednesday 24th October 14:05

I've long suspected this - although I've never 'raced' a bike, I think throwing around a good fast road bicycle can help you race, in my case cheapy go-karts, quicker.

[ant leigh]

MocMocaMoc said:

I've long suspected this - although I've never 'raced' a bike, I think throwing around a good fast road bicycle can help you race, in my case cheapy go-karts, quicker.

I love watching the overhead shots of the TdF sprint finishes. You can see the sudden changes in velocity as the sprinters 'kick' and how close and precise the bike handling has to be at 100% effort. Especially when they use their heads and 'rub' their oponents out of the way.

Also if you get a chance watch 'criterium' racing live. These are around tight city centre circuits. Bike handling/cornering is vital if you want to win and there are often crashes on the tricky corners.

[MocMocaMoc]

ant leigh said:

MocMocaMoc said:

I've long suspected this - although I've never 'raced' a bike, I think throwing around a good fast road bicycle can help you race, in my case cheapy go-karts, quicker.

I love watching the overhead shots of the TdF sprint finishes. You can see the sudden changes in velocity as the sprinters 'kick' and how close and precise the bike handling has to be at 100% effort. Especially when they use their heads and 'rub' their oponents out of the way.

Also if you get a chance watch 'criterium' racing live. These are around tight city centre circuits. Bike handling/cornering is vital if you want to win and there are often crashes on the tricky corners.

I've often looked at my local karting circuit and thought... how quick could I lap that on my bike?

And, obviously, then comes the... how many cyclists would you need for a good race? Would it work?

It's just my favourite mental illness (wanting to race absolutely EVERYTHING) surfacing again. Ha ; )

[Broken]

A go kart track would make for excellent bike racing, similar to a criterium. It also works well for supermoto racing. Depending on the size of the track, about 30+ cyclists could give you a good race.

You are far from the only person to think this of go kart tracks. I know that the local track to me was approached about using their circuit for cycle racing by a local club. They were keen and said it could be used. Shame that the owner of the land which is used for access found out and said if bikes ever raced there they would never be able to access the go kart track again and put a stop to it.

Edited by Broken on Monday 29th October 18:29