drove Tuscan + Radical back to back at Cadwell Pk

[mad-doug]

COmbination of open pit lane track day (albeit with lots of breaks - about 8 cars spun off during the day) in my Tusc with 1 hr driving a Radical thanks to fastclubuk.co.uk

Cadwell Park is quite an intimidating circuit for a first timer, but I got a bit quicker during the day. What was funny was (a) going from Tuscan to the Radical (b) going back again. The Radical has massively more grip and downforce, which means you brake, change gear [using the sequential box] then get back on the power BEFOFE you turn in! And that was what Nick Padmore, Radical's official works driver, recommended - he was the instructor.

Going back to the Tuscan you feel like you are in some cartoon car, wallowing around as if on an ice rink.

Brakes - Radical's are better, but not a whole lot in it (pedal travel much less, ultimate stopping ability seemed similar). Acceleration - difficult to tell which was quicker (wasn't looking at the speedo though). However there is no comparison in the handling.

THe Tusc was a lot better for the 3 1/2 hour drive home at the end of the day though! It also got the vote of the small boy who was watching all day.

[the pits]

Remember - A £450k ferrari Enzo would feel wallowy after a radical and much slower round a lap of cadwell too....

[powerlord]

sounds excellent. I've been to cadwell 4 times on trackdays with my fireblade and previously on my gsxr. It's a awesome circuit for bikes... mountain !!mountain !!

can't even imagine going round it in a car though ! it's soooo narrow. must have been intense.

do u get air over the mountain ?

stu

[mad-doug]

It was very intense, and yes there was a bit of air over the mountain.
When you first see the circuit you don't think overtaking is possible, but it is.
The other thing about the Radical was the very heavy steering - need strong forearms if you want to pull serious lateral G.