Monday 24th May 2010

Radical Turns 1000

British sports car outfit celebrates its thousandth car

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It's always nice to celebrate a good news day for a British sports car manufacturer, and last week marked a major milestone for Radical, with the company building its 1000th car.

It has taken 13 years to manage that feat, however, but for a tiny company that is more of a racing car constructor than a road car manufacturer, that ain't half bad.

In fact, Radical reckons itself to be the world's most prolific sports-racer constructor, with models racing in such far-flung places as Australia, Angola, China, the Middle East and the west coast of the USA. Radical has even found time to compete in four Le Mans 24hr races with its SR9 prototype racer.

Radical has also established 12 international race series and is now looking into alternative energy sources - including plug-in electric racers.

It's all pretty impressive for a modest company from Peterborough with a workforce of just 120 people.

"By constantly redesigning, developing and testing our range, we have produced a product of the highest quality, and can ensure support for customers and distributors right across the globe," says company co-founder Mick Hyde. "It's these reasons that Radical Sportscars continues to go from strength to strength; I'm confident that the next 1,000 cars will be produced even quicker than the first".

[patmahe]

Well done Radical, if I was ever in the market for a top of the line track car (sadly I'm not) I'd definitely be paying them a visit.

Just goes to show small car companies can succeed if they bring a good product with decent demand to market

[[AJ]]

Congratulations indeed to Radical. A testament to common sense business practices and an exceptional product.

[sootyrumble]

Went in one once my god they are amazing, well done Radical and all the Team

[soad]

Good on them, taken a while to achieve it.

[Oggs]

I saw one this morning around 3.30 am ish on the M25 just past the M1 junction heading anti clock wise

[spoonoff]

Fantastic achievement- long may they continue producing excellent cars.

Everytime I see one at a trackday or hillclimb they appear to be being driven very gingerly- can't blame the drivers. It would be nice to see someone just once in the flesh with enough skill to properly wring the neck of one of these beasts...

[DangerousMike]

there is a race series i think

[J B L]

Well done Radical




But I'd really like to know how these cars can be used in Angola!!!

[esudfu]

If you want to see someone giving it the beans in a Radical...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwtyZosuPNE

Bit low quality video, but great driving!

[dan19evans]

congratulations Radical, you deserve it!
it makes me laugh how a tiny company can hold the Nurburgring production car record over big companies that spent millions trying to do it. thats British engineering for ya!

[TU Tuning]

Photo of the week in lovely high res please guys

[Twincam16]

Brilliant. Yet another reminder that there is a market out there for uniquely British engineering.

All the greats started this way - wonder how long it'll be before they offer a blood-spitting, take-no-prisoners road car that'll take speed humps, but kill footballers trying to show off outside the training ground?

[mybrainhurts]

[esperovich]

one of the best britsh sportscars these days!!!!!!! congrats!!!

[FOURRONE]

Id like to see one of these on the top gear circuit would be interesting to see how it compares to the Ultima

[HowardB]

no doubt there are some good roads in Angola, but not in Leicestershire, no where that one could drive a Radical without it falling in a pot hole or getting stuck on a speed bump!!

Good one Radical, one day when I am rich and famous, maybe I'll have one,...and a place to drive it

[ukaskew]

Watching various Radicals take Avon Rise at Castle Combe is always a pleasure, the speed they can carry when others are already braking is shocking.

Love them, always assumed there were more out there actually considering how frequently they appear at Combe.

[LukeBird]

Well done Radical!

[pagani1]

Congratulations to all concerned, you are a symbol of Britain's dominance in motorsports production

[spikeyhead]

I spent a season watching a mate race in, and win the championship a few years back.

Stunning piece of engineering and a very very quick car.