Radical Racing Advice Needed
Discussion
Hi I am currently racing a caterham and after discussions with a few people think that Radical's may suit me more.
I have a few questions really, what series should i enter, which Radical should i buy (budget is about 20k), what would a typical season cost, damage, running costs etc.
Any advise would be gratefully received.
cheers
Andy
I have a few questions really, what series should i enter, which Radical should i buy (budget is about 20k), what would a typical season cost, damage, running costs etc.
Any advise would be gratefully received.
cheers
Andy
27th September - or Silverstone 2 weeks before, a non championship race.
http://www.radicalsportscars.com/racing08/provisio...
Let me know if you decide to do either and I'll come along and say hello.
Nick
http://www.radicalsportscars.com/racing08/provisio...
Let me know if you decide to do either and I'll come along and say hello.
Nick
Cars
Anything from 6K for a Clubsport to 85K for an SR8. You could pick up a good SR4 for about 12 -15K and an SR3 for 20K upwards. The thing to watch when buying a Radical is that if it's been used for racing it will probably be worn out so make sure you ask, and check, for new parts such as wishbones, bushes, rod ends, uprights, disks, drive shafts, etc etc. The Radical web site has a lifeing chart at the end of the SR3 Owners manual. You can then check the price of the parts on the On line store. Make sure you get a set of ratios, or sprockets plus at least 1 spare set of wheels. For SR#s Post 2005 bodywork is the best to get. (Diffuser on front rather than flat splitter, open front to side pods, front wing louvres futher back and flush, rear louvres in top rear wheel arch and flush, bigger rear difuser with flat centre section, bi plane rear wing)
Clubsport - Really fast in a straight lne but with no aero slower through the corners Getting on a bit now so look out for Chassis cracks etc
Prosport - 1300 version is pretty quick 1500 version is very fast but a handfull as the aero is not up to the straght line speed Also becomming a bit long in the tooth.
SR4 1300 - Good car to start Radical racing in, there are a lot around since the demise of the Biduro Championship although they are becomming popular in the Club Cup
SR3 - 1300 Dog slow. 1500 Pretty quick in the right hands and with the latest aero very fast in the corners
PR06 - 1300 Great car. 1500 Faster than an SR3
SR8 - Awesome
SR9 - F**k Me!
Engine
Same as the car really, 1100 Kwaka engine is very strong, parts are cheap. 1300 Busa is pretty bomb proof. 1500cc engine should last 30 hrs before a rebuild is needed. The Powertec web site will give you the details and costs. Unless you buy the engine yourself or see it before it's been installed then you might not want to rely on any hours run figures - your call.
Championships
Brown paper and String
MC Bikesports- now thinking of allowing 1500 SR3s as well as all 1300 or below Radicals
Castle Combe GTs. To be competetive you will need at least 1500cc
MSVR Open Sports and GT - Good and varied grids but not many races
Radical Club Cup 2x20 min races, single day All Radicals allowed so long as it's got a Powertec engine
Radical UK Cup 2x50 min races with pitstops\
Radical World Cup - Euro Lemans support race at Silverstone and DTM support race at Le Mans in Oct
Also heard of a BRSCC supported series for Bike engined cars for 2009 but not much detail yet
Costs
2-300 per race entry fee(UK Cup much higher)
Control fuel in Radical Championships (130ish per 50 ltrs, work on a litre a lap)
Tyres 800 per set, for Dunlop Control tyres for Radical Championships. should last 5-6 races plus a set of wets
Consumables. things wear out pretty quicky, pads are 100 a set, oil changes every meeting ( You can leave it longer if you feel lucky...)
Bodywork is expensive but relatively easy to repair.
These cars are race cars not road cars, are straight forward to work on but need a lot of fettling between races. They are sensitive to set up and this needs to be checked frequently. It might be worth considering having someone run the car if you are not comfortable with a spanner in your hand. You can run the car from a trailer but it is much, much easier with a truck or a covered trailer.
All of that being said I think this it the best value sports prototyre on the market to day. The factory ar very helpful and supportive (My car had a mmisfire at the Combe UK cup round, I pulled in to the pits and had a swarm of works engineers all over it as soon as I stopped, all part of the service). Parts are not cheap but I guess they aren't for any race, as opposed to road, car. The atmosphere in the Club Cup paddock is really good and everyone is happy to help each other, also goes for the Combe GT paddock.
You won't go faster, have more fun or scare yourself more for the money!!!
Simon
Anything from 6K for a Clubsport to 85K for an SR8. You could pick up a good SR4 for about 12 -15K and an SR3 for 20K upwards. The thing to watch when buying a Radical is that if it's been used for racing it will probably be worn out so make sure you ask, and check, for new parts such as wishbones, bushes, rod ends, uprights, disks, drive shafts, etc etc. The Radical web site has a lifeing chart at the end of the SR3 Owners manual. You can then check the price of the parts on the On line store. Make sure you get a set of ratios, or sprockets plus at least 1 spare set of wheels. For SR#s Post 2005 bodywork is the best to get. (Diffuser on front rather than flat splitter, open front to side pods, front wing louvres futher back and flush, rear louvres in top rear wheel arch and flush, bigger rear difuser with flat centre section, bi plane rear wing)
Clubsport - Really fast in a straight lne but with no aero slower through the corners Getting on a bit now so look out for Chassis cracks etc
Prosport - 1300 version is pretty quick 1500 version is very fast but a handfull as the aero is not up to the straght line speed Also becomming a bit long in the tooth.
SR4 1300 - Good car to start Radical racing in, there are a lot around since the demise of the Biduro Championship although they are becomming popular in the Club Cup
SR3 - 1300 Dog slow. 1500 Pretty quick in the right hands and with the latest aero very fast in the corners
PR06 - 1300 Great car. 1500 Faster than an SR3
SR8 - Awesome
SR9 - F**k Me!
Engine
Same as the car really, 1100 Kwaka engine is very strong, parts are cheap. 1300 Busa is pretty bomb proof. 1500cc engine should last 30 hrs before a rebuild is needed. The Powertec web site will give you the details and costs. Unless you buy the engine yourself or see it before it's been installed then you might not want to rely on any hours run figures - your call.
Championships
Brown paper and String
MC Bikesports- now thinking of allowing 1500 SR3s as well as all 1300 or below RadicalsCastle Combe GTs. To be competetive you will need at least 1500cc
MSVR Open Sports and GT - Good and varied grids but not many races
Radical Club Cup 2x20 min races, single day All Radicals allowed so long as it's got a Powertec engine
Radical UK Cup 2x50 min races with pitstops\
Radical World Cup - Euro Lemans support race at Silverstone and DTM support race at Le Mans in Oct
Also heard of a BRSCC supported series for Bike engined cars for 2009 but not much detail yet
Costs
2-300 per race entry fee(UK Cup much higher)
Control fuel in Radical Championships (130ish per 50 ltrs, work on a litre a lap)
Tyres 800 per set, for Dunlop Control tyres for Radical Championships. should last 5-6 races plus a set of wets
Consumables. things wear out pretty quicky, pads are 100 a set, oil changes every meeting ( You can leave it longer if you feel lucky...)
Bodywork is expensive but relatively easy to repair.
These cars are race cars not road cars, are straight forward to work on but need a lot of fettling between races. They are sensitive to set up and this needs to be checked frequently. It might be worth considering having someone run the car if you are not comfortable with a spanner in your hand. You can run the car from a trailer but it is much, much easier with a truck or a covered trailer.
All of that being said I think this it the best value sports prototyre on the market to day. The factory ar very helpful and supportive (My car had a mmisfire at the Combe UK cup round, I pulled in to the pits and had a swarm of works engineers all over it as soon as I stopped, all part of the service). Parts are not cheap but I guess they aren't for any race, as opposed to road, car. The atmosphere in the Club Cup paddock is really good and everyone is happy to help each other, also goes for the Combe GT paddock.
You won't go faster, have more fun or scare yourself more for the money!!!
Simon
if im allowed to put a link up and you can get to sarrat i would strongly reccomend this company,i have seen the guys work and he knows plenty about caterhams and radicals/ultimas, ask for Clive
http://www.aryliam.co.uk/
http://www.aryliam.co.uk/
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