Test Drive SR3
Discussion
This maybe a regular question, so I applogise for asking again.
I would like to test drive an SR3 and have e-mailed the factory, but as yet had no reponse.
Is there a contact person I should ask for at the factory? or is there another way of taking a test drive (on circuit)?
I currently take my Noble 3R on track days, live in Newcastle upon Tyne area, and looking for a more Track day, sprint car.
Thanks for your replies.
Ian.
I would like to test drive an SR3 and have e-mailed the factory, but as yet had no reponse.
Is there a contact person I should ask for at the factory? or is there another way of taking a test drive (on circuit)?
I currently take my Noble 3R on track days, live in Newcastle upon Tyne area, and looking for a more Track day, sprint car.
Thanks for your replies.
Ian.
Radical used to do test days on track for potential purchasers. They charge a fee for this which is refunded if an order is placed for a new car within a matter of a few weeks. I don't know if the fee refund would apply to their secondhand cars as well if that is the market you are looking at. If you ring the factory and ask to speak to Sarah Reader, she will probably know if/when the next test day is planned.
Otherwise maybe the best way to get to try one on track is to go with one of the guys who hire a car on trackdays.
Otherwise maybe the best way to get to try one on track is to go with one of the guys who hire a car on trackdays.
Hi Ian,
Hmmm, where to start with that one because the SR3 is another step on in terms of track performance. Slicks and downforce coupled with the much lower weight mean much higher speeds are possible through the corners. If the Noble on track gives you a big grin then the Radical will split yer gob from ear to ear. The Radical is quite easy to drive quickly though once you get used to its greater capabilities. Being bike engined, it doesn't have the same grunt down the straight that a Noble has which changes the balance of on-track performance. Quick through the corners, can get held up by slower cars and then you can't simply blast past them on the next straight. On balance though it is a much quicker car on track than the Noble was.
The Radical is really a race car with a handful of examples converted for the road. As a result it sniffs out every little bump which has it diving off line unless you are on a really smooth road. It can be quite challenging / wearing as a result whereas the Noble was well set up for road use as well - i.e. quite stiff but not really crashy and not unsettled by (most) road bumps or prone to tramlining. It is possible to drive to a trackday, use it on track and drive it home again but I don't think I would be comfortable doing it that way. I seem to end up with a load of stuff in the towcar, much more than I used to shove in the Noble's passenger seat.
The Noble is more of an easy companion to live with and you can tour in it because it has a screen, roof, heater, air con etc. whereas the Radical has none of that. It has racecar functionality and fittings and if it is cold and wet so are you, or you wait about in the garage for the weather to improve. But the benefits are fantastic performance on track.
The SR3 requires a higher level of attention in looking after it on track with regular checks on oil and water temps and pressures whenever you get the chance. Frequent checks under the clams are also a wise precaution where of course the SR3's aren't hinged but come off bodily. Also it isn't as strong as the Noble and the need to carry out a refresh is a factor to consider, take a look at the lifing chart on the last page of the owners manual on Radical's website for instance.
There is a load of 'adjustability' in the SR3 out of the box which isn't readily available on the Noble so you can optimise its performance for the track and the conditions. It does take a bit more looking after when you get home afterwards though as track debris and water get everywhere so ideally it should be thoroughly cleaned down and protected with a suitable spray. It takes me about twice as long as it did with the Noble.
I used to think that Noble spares were a high price but Radicals are no better, perhaps even worse. It's the captive market working in both cases I suppose. Barring any major failures then I reckon the Radical is quite a bit more expensive to run than the Noble but that comes with the performance. Spin and don't get the clutch down quickly enough and the starter motor drive will be wrecked - one to look out for.
Not sure what you are looking for but the red and black/yellow striped car for sale on here is a high specced car and has been looked after by a very reputable Radical specialist (same guy I use). I'm not sure how much longer it will be available though as it will go to Radical in exchange so if you are interested perhaps it is worth reacting quickly?
Hmmm, where to start with that one because the SR3 is another step on in terms of track performance. Slicks and downforce coupled with the much lower weight mean much higher speeds are possible through the corners. If the Noble on track gives you a big grin then the Radical will split yer gob from ear to ear. The Radical is quite easy to drive quickly though once you get used to its greater capabilities. Being bike engined, it doesn't have the same grunt down the straight that a Noble has which changes the balance of on-track performance. Quick through the corners, can get held up by slower cars and then you can't simply blast past them on the next straight. On balance though it is a much quicker car on track than the Noble was.
The Radical is really a race car with a handful of examples converted for the road. As a result it sniffs out every little bump which has it diving off line unless you are on a really smooth road. It can be quite challenging / wearing as a result whereas the Noble was well set up for road use as well - i.e. quite stiff but not really crashy and not unsettled by (most) road bumps or prone to tramlining. It is possible to drive to a trackday, use it on track and drive it home again but I don't think I would be comfortable doing it that way. I seem to end up with a load of stuff in the towcar, much more than I used to shove in the Noble's passenger seat.
The Noble is more of an easy companion to live with and you can tour in it because it has a screen, roof, heater, air con etc. whereas the Radical has none of that. It has racecar functionality and fittings and if it is cold and wet so are you, or you wait about in the garage for the weather to improve. But the benefits are fantastic performance on track.
The SR3 requires a higher level of attention in looking after it on track with regular checks on oil and water temps and pressures whenever you get the chance. Frequent checks under the clams are also a wise precaution where of course the SR3's aren't hinged but come off bodily. Also it isn't as strong as the Noble and the need to carry out a refresh is a factor to consider, take a look at the lifing chart on the last page of the owners manual on Radical's website for instance.
There is a load of 'adjustability' in the SR3 out of the box which isn't readily available on the Noble so you can optimise its performance for the track and the conditions. It does take a bit more looking after when you get home afterwards though as track debris and water get everywhere so ideally it should be thoroughly cleaned down and protected with a suitable spray. It takes me about twice as long as it did with the Noble.
I used to think that Noble spares were a high price but Radicals are no better, perhaps even worse. It's the captive market working in both cases I suppose. Barring any major failures then I reckon the Radical is quite a bit more expensive to run than the Noble but that comes with the performance. Spin and don't get the clutch down quickly enough and the starter motor drive will be wrecked - one to look out for.
Not sure what you are looking for but the red and black/yellow striped car for sale on here is a high specced car and has been looked after by a very reputable Radical specialist (same guy I use). I'm not sure how much longer it will be available though as it will go to Radical in exchange so if you are interested perhaps it is worth reacting quickly?
Thanks for replies and Todd's suggestion to get to Cadwell.
I would like to understand (from Owners) what life is like with a Radical, and plan on visiting various tack days and chatting with owners. It's OK I'm not a 'tyre kicker' but someone who has a genuine interest to take a step up to a more Track / Race car.
If any other owners are planning track days over the next few months, I would appreciate posting here.
Don't worry, I wont be blagging a drive, a pax ride would be great, or just a yak.
Cheers,
Ian.
I would like to understand (from Owners) what life is like with a Radical, and plan on visiting various tack days and chatting with owners. It's OK I'm not a 'tyre kicker' but someone who has a genuine interest to take a step up to a more Track / Race car.
If any other owners are planning track days over the next few months, I would appreciate posting here.
Don't worry, I wont be blagging a drive, a pax ride would be great, or just a yak.
Cheers,
Ian.
Hi Ian, I would say my life with my radical so far is fun,fun,fun...expense,expense,expense.
Mostly as I used it all last summer after I bought it in july with no costs but over the winter have spent getting on for £4k due to new refresh, tyres and pads (all bought from radical so that will explain some of the cost) and getting someone to put the engine back in pads etc as I am not what you would call a handy mechanic.
Hopefully the fun starts again on friday at cadwell and the expense will get to a minimum for a while.
Cheers russell
Mostly as I used it all last summer after I bought it in july with no costs but over the winter have spent getting on for £4k due to new refresh, tyres and pads (all bought from radical so that will explain some of the cost) and getting someone to put the engine back in pads etc as I am not what you would call a handy mechanic.
Hopefully the fun starts again on friday at cadwell and the expense will get to a minimum for a while.
Cheers russell
...in a similar vein, I am thinking from moving from racing a Clio Cup to an SR3 next year, but am slightly concerned about the potential reliability/fragility issues.
Where/what are the weak areas on the car? I know the open end from the ring end of a spanner by the way!!
I guess the cars are also very senstive to setup?
How much difference does the later 'high downforce' make to the cars? I guess the benefits of this doesn't kick in unless you're going at radical cup pace?
Any responses from racers appreciated. I know they get used for t/days, but I am intending to race the car, rather than t/day it. Many thanks.
Where/what are the weak areas on the car? I know the open end from the ring end of a spanner by the way!!
I guess the cars are also very senstive to setup?
How much difference does the later 'high downforce' make to the cars? I guess the benefits of this doesn't kick in unless you're going at radical cup pace?
Any responses from racers appreciated. I know they get used for t/days, but I am intending to race the car, rather than t/day it. Many thanks.
I have spoken with Sarah at Radical and made a provisional booking to take a test drive at Croft in June, or earlier at Donongton.
I'm really looking forward to the experience.
The closest I have got to driving a similar car was at the Palmersport day at Bedfrod in the Jaguar JP1. I finished up a couple of 1/10ths off the fastest time of day.
Cheers,
Ian.
I'm really looking forward to the experience.
The closest I have got to driving a similar car was at the Palmersport day at Bedfrod in the Jaguar JP1. I finished up a couple of 1/10ths off the fastest time of day.
Cheers,
Ian.
3rtt said:
I have spoken with Sarah at Radical and made a provisional booking to take a test drive at Croft in June, or earlier at Donongton.
I'm really looking forward to the experience.
The closest I have got to driving a similar car was at the Palmersport day at Bedfrod in the Jaguar JP1. I finished up a couple of 1/10ths off the fastest time of day.
Cheers,
Ian.
Radical SR3 has A LOT MORE ROOM in the cockpit. i hardly fit in the JP1I'm really looking forward to the experience.
The closest I have got to driving a similar car was at the Palmersport day at Bedfrod in the Jaguar JP1. I finished up a couple of 1/10ths off the fastest time of day.
Cheers,
Ian.
3rtt said:
I have spoken with Sarah at Radical and made a provisional booking to take a test drive at Croft in June, or earlier at Donongton.
I'm really looking forward to the experience.
The closest I have got to driving a similar car was at the Palmersport day at Bedfrod in the Jaguar JP1. I finished up a couple of 1/10ths off the fastest time of day.
Cheers,
Ian.
3rtt - let us know how you got on. I loved the JP1 and had a similar experience at Palmersport. I was with some experienced track people (I'm very inexperienced) and they reckoned that if I liked the JP1, I would love the Radical. I think I'm going to rent for the time being though.. I'm really looking forward to the experience.
The closest I have got to driving a similar car was at the Palmersport day at Bedfrod in the Jaguar JP1. I finished up a couple of 1/10ths off the fastest time of day.
Cheers,
Ian.
I like my sr3 much much more than when I have driven the JP1 (two occasions for over 1 and a half hours), First of all it is much nicer to drive in my opinion and it has so much more room. JP1 is far too cramped given the size of the car as well which is not nice for prolonged periods.
I was at Croft on Monday for a track day with my Noble. Very wet and greasy in the morning, then dried out after lunch.
A lad from North Yorkshire (I believe) was trying his Supercharged SR3 out for the first time. He bought it from the original owner back in November but hadn't tried it since he bought it. It was the only car that came past me during the day, and looked well sorted.
I am taking some customers to a Palmersport day later this month, then testing an SR3 in June, or earlier if possible.
Jaguar JP1 makes a great sound, but think it would be higher costs to run and maintain.
Getting very tempted with SR3.
Will keep you posted.
Cheers,
Ian.
A lad from North Yorkshire (I believe) was trying his Supercharged SR3 out for the first time. He bought it from the original owner back in November but hadn't tried it since he bought it. It was the only car that came past me during the day, and looked well sorted.
I am taking some customers to a Palmersport day later this month, then testing an SR3 in June, or earlier if possible.
Jaguar JP1 makes a great sound, but think it would be higher costs to run and maintain.
Getting very tempted with SR3.
Will keep you posted.
Cheers,
Ian.
rbolesworth said:
Did you get a test drive in the end ian?
Hi Russ,Edited by rbolesworth on Friday 25th April 02:46
Not yet, I have booked a test drive when Radical come to Croft in June. Can't wait.
Took some customers to Palmersport day a couple of weeks ago. The Palmer Jaguar P1 was great to drive with paddleshift gears now. Finshed the day 2/10ths off FTD in P1, quickest in Jaguar XKR and missed top trophy by 3 points.
The new Palmer Jaguar single seater is great fun to drive, but would have liked a few more laps.
Will keep you posted.
Cheers,
Ian.
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