Clubsport or Global GT Light?

[jontarry]

Hi all,

Was wanting to get some advice from people "in the know". I'm looking to take part in a few track days and a few race days (likely with the 750MC) next year and am weighing up options at the moment.

I have both a Radical Clubsport 1100 and Global GT Light R1 available to me for similar prices. Both in good condition and both seem good candidates.

Radical is, I think, the better chassis and slightly bigger (I'm a 6'2" rugby player!). Running costs (as far as I can understand) are high due to expensive parts.

Global GT is smaller and lighter (will fit better into my single garage), with good handling as far as I've heard and cheap to run. Could be an issue with legroom and not 100% sure if it would take a bigger engine (eventual 'busa upgrade).

Can anyone help provide some advice?

Thanks,

Jon.

[PhilboSE]

Hi Jon

Never driven a Global GT Light so I can't comment on how they drive. However, I've recently bought a Clubsport so I can opine on that. I'm 6'2" and larger than I'd like to be around the midriff, but I fit into the Clubsport just fine. You can of course get different seats for them but there's bags of room in them for the "larger" driver.

I don't think the running costs are high unless you start breaking things. Radical will charge you a premium for things bought through them, but you don't have to buy everything from them, especially if you're not racing in one of the factory series. There are lots of people who can get you an engine refresh or rebuild for a lot less money than the factory. Sure if you have to buy a unique part through Radical then it will cost, but I think many manufacturers are like that.

Depending on how much experience you have, the 180-odd bhp you get from the 1100 should be "enough". If you want more it's always possible to do an engine swap for a 'busa, knowing that the factory have done pretty much the same thing for the Prosport, so you won't be on your own.

I've not yet built up much experience with the car but the handling is...staggering. Really easy to drive and it just grips and goes.

The car is pretty small, under 13' long and 5' wide, so should fit in most single garages. I've got effectively two single garages with narrow (6'5" openings, but I can get the car and trailer and spares etc in one of them - though the trailer is pretty special.

One factor in your decision might be the name - having a Radical commands quite a lot of paddock respect and when it comes to sell it, you know that it won't be a problem because people read about them all the time. Buying an ex-race car needs to be done with care, and the last thing any prospective purchaser wants is to have doubts about factory support or parts availability, and buying a "name" gives a lot of comfort to the buying decision.

Slightly one-sided advice, but I hope it helps. Good luck with whatever you go for.

Phil

[JonTarry]

Hi Phil,

Thanks for the comprehensive response. I still have to decide what the best move is as regards championships and what-not, but am hoping all will become clearer within a couple of weeks.

Managed to have a sit in a Clubsport yesterday and I fit perfectly...it feels *great*!

Jon.