CD Radical Day, 30th July

CD Radical Day, 30th July

Author
Discussion

adrianr

Original Poster:

822 posts

285 months

Thursday 22nd July 2004
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I've just signed up for a Radical taster day being organised by Circuit Driver mag - think we're going to be sampling the range, so hopefully a few laps in each of the SR4, SR3, SR3 Turbo and Clubsport.

Any of you experienced chappies got any tips for novice Radical drivers?

Thanks,
AdrianR

p.s. In case anyone was wondering, this isn't a sneaky plug, it was subscriber only and is sold out already.

adrianr

Original Poster:

822 posts

285 months

Thursday 29th July 2004
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...tumbleweed drifts across the plain....

nildram

293 posts

262 months

Thursday 29th July 2004
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Enjoy! Tips are:

1) Change up without the clutch.
2) Change down WITH the clutch. :-)
3) Don't crash.

GillyD

215 posts

283 months

Thursday 29th July 2004
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Take your cheque book!

AndrewD

7,541 posts

285 months

Friday 30th July 2004
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Er, yes dear!

adrianr

Original Poster:

822 posts

285 months

Monday 2nd August 2004
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nildram said:
Enjoy! Tips are:

1) Change up without the clutch.
2) Change down WITH the clutch. :-)
3) Don't crash.


Didn't do (1), but managed (2) and (3). They slapped a rev limit on us which limited driving enjoyment a bit but then again I guess they didn't want us fluffing downchanges and buzzing the engines.

Got a few full on laps with Mick Hyde in his SR4 on slicks which was neck-wrenching, and some seemingly calmer ones with Nick ?? (sorry forgot surname in the excitement) in an SR3 on road tyres.

Didn't buy one though

AdrianR




RoryC

13 posts

238 months

Monday 2nd August 2004
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Nick....Padmore

alec dudfield

39 posts

254 months

Monday 2nd August 2004
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No, was my bro. Glad you had a good day.

stringer_m

152 posts

251 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2004
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I went to this and whilst I thought it was good the imposition of the rev limit, though justified, somewhat hampered my enjoyment of the day.

The initial "instructor" laps and the drive yourself laps were so obviously way below the envelope of the car's performance that I actually came away with the perception that the car's are almost too competent.

I loved the sequential shift but we were not allowed to sample the delights of clutchless shifting which again was a shame.

Having said all that, I would be seriously tempted, especially as they managed to quell some of the fears over 20 hour rebuild cycles and that kind of thing. I just can't help thinking that it was a bit of missed opportunity.

The only other thing (I am not really a moaning old git but it did nothing to improve my opinion of Bruntingthorpe as a track - I am sure they could make it more interesting - that long, wide back straight s crying out for some work!

adrianr

Original Poster:

822 posts

285 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2004
quotequote all
Had I not had the ride with Mick, I'd have thought the same - everything else was just driven/demonstrated too slowly to catch the imagination. Even the SR3 with Nick seemed a bit tame, but I put that down to tyres.

That said, if I had tried to drive the way Mick did over just a few laps then I would probably have embarrassed myself or damaged something. What would be ideal would be a bit more seat time in a relaxed atmosphere to build up the pace gradually.

And yes, at a proper circuit, not a bumpy old runway. The SR3 Turbo (which did few runs before it broke) was showering its occupants with fragments of splitter on the back straight.

AdrianR



nildram

293 posts

262 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2004
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Mick has always been a bit of a sideways driver. Not always the quickest way around a track, but a lot of fun.

adrianr

Original Poster:

822 posts

285 months

Wednesday 4th August 2004
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Agreed - I was contrasting car capabilities, not driver ability or lap times.

They also had a yellow car there with nildram logos - your old one I guess?

AdrianR

nildram

293 posts

262 months

Wednesday 4th August 2004
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Must have been. I'm starting to miss it as well. Anyone want to buy a used SR4? (one careful owner, never not raced)?