PR6, SR3 ... talk to me please
Discussion
Toying with the idea of either car for track days
I owned an SR3 back in the mists of time (April 03 - some time in 06) but I've since lost track of all things Radical.
Which one would you recommend for a relative mechanical numpty for track days? (I can change oil, change wheels, change brake bias and wing settings, but not much else
)
And also, which upgrade options (engine, aero, paddleshift, brakes, dampers, etc) are worthwhile?
What I like about my Juno is how much more stable it is than my old SR3, and how much more sensitive it is to setup changes. Not sure if the newer SR3's are an improvement (I think mine was chassis number 50-something) or the PR6's?
Thanks in advance guys.
PS. I would be looking for a "pre-loved" one not new
I owned an SR3 back in the mists of time (April 03 - some time in 06) but I've since lost track of all things Radical.
Which one would you recommend for a relative mechanical numpty for track days? (I can change oil, change wheels, change brake bias and wing settings, but not much else
)And also, which upgrade options (engine, aero, paddleshift, brakes, dampers, etc) are worthwhile?
What I like about my Juno is how much more stable it is than my old SR3, and how much more sensitive it is to setup changes. Not sure if the newer SR3's are an improvement (I think mine was chassis number 50-something) or the PR6's?
Thanks in advance guys.
PS. I would be looking for a "pre-loved" one not new
AndrewD said:
Toying with the idea of either car for track days
I owned an SR3 back in the mists of time (April 03 - some time in 06) but I've since lost track of all things Radical.
Which one would you recommend for a relative mechanical numpty for track days? (I can change oil, change wheels, change brake bias and wing settings, but not much else )
And also, which upgrade options (engine, aero, paddleshift, brakes, dampers, etc) are worthwhile?
What I like about my Juno is how much more stable it is than my old SR3, and how much more sensitive it is to setup changes. Not sure if the newer SR3's are an improvement (I think mine was chassis number 50-something) or the PR6's?
Andrew, is your current Juno not a more developed/quicker car than most Rads? Can you not use that for t/days instead? Are you running the K20 honda engine?I owned an SR3 back in the mists of time (April 03 - some time in 06) but I've since lost track of all things Radical.
Which one would you recommend for a relative mechanical numpty for track days? (I can change oil, change wheels, change brake bias and wing settings, but not much else
)And also, which upgrade options (engine, aero, paddleshift, brakes, dampers, etc) are worthwhile?
What I like about my Juno is how much more stable it is than my old SR3, and how much more sensitive it is to setup changes. Not sure if the newer SR3's are an improvement (I think mine was chassis number 50-something) or the PR6's?
AndrewD said:
Yes it is - but it is also a bit OTT for someone of my mechanical numptyness to run at track days. It's a full CN spec with paddle shift and the Honda engine.
*Touch wood* so far ours has been easier to deal with than the Clubsport was. The biggest issues have been logistical. We had to have a trailer made to deal with it's width, very low ground clearance and large overhangs (Woodford WB-100 14'x6'6'' tilt with extra long 10' ramps and it's still damned close). Also just moving the thing around as it's quite large in comparison to the Radical, has bugger all lock and ground clearance. Still definitely makes life a lot easier to have 2 people to deal with it all.Edited by juansolo on Wednesday 28th April 13:51
As you race already, what do you want to do track days for (boring!)? Get a Caterham for that.........
Either Pr6 or SR3 in current bog basic spec as per the regs for Radical club cup (1340cc untuned in PR6 & 1475cc in SR3 mild tune) are within a smidge of each other for performance around most tracks (few tenth's of a second difference)
So to my mind you are just left with the decision as to wether you want two seats or not? PR6 cheaper, requires smaller trailer to transport, easy to push around or generally man handle in the pits, you can just about (if no one is around) get the bodywork on & off on your own (I manage to run & race one on my own, unless I can grab a passer by to get the body on or off & occasionally clean tyre's up eh Trev!) & its standard engine is less likely to be troublesome, not to mention cheaper to refresh at the end of the season.
On the PR6 downside if you wanted ultimate performance at each track you would change the rear sprocket, but for track days I guess you would just stick a 47 on, accept the slight compromise with the acceleration in the knowledge that it should do pretty much all of the UK tracks I would of thought.......
Other than that, SR3 is a very nice bit of kit in current format (RS) but I would of said it really needs two people to man handle & run it..... (Nothing wrong with old one's either mind. See Mr Marsham's performance in qually at Rockingham via the wonders of TSL timing, gloss over race results as he was just exploring the limits before starting the season proper!)
Either Pr6 or SR3 in current bog basic spec as per the regs for Radical club cup (1340cc untuned in PR6 & 1475cc in SR3 mild tune) are within a smidge of each other for performance around most tracks (few tenth's of a second difference)
So to my mind you are just left with the decision as to wether you want two seats or not? PR6 cheaper, requires smaller trailer to transport, easy to push around or generally man handle in the pits, you can just about (if no one is around) get the bodywork on & off on your own (I manage to run & race one on my own, unless I can grab a passer by to get the body on or off & occasionally clean tyre's up eh Trev!) & its standard engine is less likely to be troublesome, not to mention cheaper to refresh at the end of the season.
On the PR6 downside if you wanted ultimate performance at each track you would change the rear sprocket, but for track days I guess you would just stick a 47 on, accept the slight compromise with the acceleration in the knowledge that it should do pretty much all of the UK tracks I would of thought.......
Other than that, SR3 is a very nice bit of kit in current format (RS) but I would of said it really needs two people to man handle & run it..... (Nothing wrong with old one's either mind. See Mr Marsham's performance in qually at Rockingham via the wonders of TSL timing, gloss over race results as he was just exploring the limits before starting the season proper!)
dsl2 said:
As you race already, what do you want to do track days for (boring!)? Get a Caterham for that.........
He has a point. I still enjoy getting into a Caterham every now and then. Doesn't even have to be expensive. Get an R300 and run it on 13x6 wheels all round with A539s on them. Makes it lively as hell and enormous fun to drive, which is the point of trackdays IMO.juansolo said:
dsl2 said:
As you race already, what do you want to do track days for (boring!)? Get a Caterham for that.........
He has a point. I still enjoy getting into a Caterham every now and then. Doesn't even have to be expensive. Get an R300 and run it on 13x6 wheels all round with A539s on them. Makes it lively as hell and enormous fun to drive, which is the point of trackdays IMO.jp-speed-triple said:
juansolo said:
dsl2 said:
As you race already, what do you want to do track days for (boring!)? Get a Caterham for that.........
He has a point. I still enjoy getting into a Caterham every now and then. Doesn't even have to be expensive. Get an R300 and run it on 13x6 wheels all round with A539s on them. Makes it lively as hell and enormous fun to drive, which is the point of trackdays IMO.Edited by juansolo on Wednesday 28th April 15:58
AndrewD said:
Toying with the idea of either car for track days
I owned an SR3 back in the mists of time (April 03 - some time in 06) but I've since lost track of all things Radical.
Which one would you recommend for a relative mechanical numpty for track days? (I can change oil, change wheels, change brake bias and wing settings, but not much else )
And also, which upgrade options (engine, aero, paddleshift, brakes, dampers, etc) are worthwhile?
What I like about my Juno is how much more stable it is than my old SR3, and how much more sensitive it is to setup changes. Not sure if the newer SR3's are an improvement (I think mine was chassis number 50-something) or the PR6's?
Thanks in advance guys.
PS. I would be looking for a "pre-loved" one not new
Surely its just cheaper to give me the other seat in the Juno for the balance of the season, than going out to buy a Rad? I owned an SR3 back in the mists of time (April 03 - some time in 06) but I've since lost track of all things Radical.
Which one would you recommend for a relative mechanical numpty for track days? (I can change oil, change wheels, change brake bias and wing settings, but not much else
)And also, which upgrade options (engine, aero, paddleshift, brakes, dampers, etc) are worthwhile?
What I like about my Juno is how much more stable it is than my old SR3, and how much more sensitive it is to setup changes. Not sure if the newer SR3's are an improvement (I think mine was chassis number 50-something) or the PR6's?
Thanks in advance guys.
PS. I would be looking for a "pre-loved" one not new
Andy, at last, an easy question!
Just like the answer would be default PR6 if you wanted a Radical just for racing, has to be the SR3 for as the default Radical for trackdays, especially as you can buy a two year old one for much the same price as a considerably less costly when new PR6 of the same age/quality.
That said, looking at your profile (living in Switzerland, lots of tasty cars), I'd say stop being a tight wad
and go out and buy yourself a new RS; (by the way, the chassis numbers are now over 500, so things have moved on a lot since your previous) much improved safety, much improved aero and huge stability and adjustability. Add in your considerable track credentials and perhaps surprisingly, I'd say you needn't go bonkers at all spec-wise: stick to the 1340cc (it makes RWHP not far off the old 1500 K7), tick the front floaters and single Intrax options and that's you basically sorted. If you want a paddleshift have one, but if you've very fast feet, then you could stick with a manual; and I mean very fast feet; you've got to be good at H&T to do it in a Radical, because things do happen rather quickly.
Unless the likes of Darren, Simon, Jon, Colin etc etc happen to be playing with their racecars on a trackday, you'll likely be the fastest thing on track by a country mile ............ much to the delight of your passengers, large or small, which is the appreciable advantage of the SR3 over the otherwise superb Radical trackday car, the now resurgent SR4.
Nick Dove is expecting your call! Roll up your sleeves, tell him I sent you and put the squeeze on him!
PS More than welcome to have a ride in our RS (paddleshift) next time we're out; by all means email me.
Just like the answer would be default PR6 if you wanted a Radical just for racing, has to be the SR3 for as the default Radical for trackdays, especially as you can buy a two year old one for much the same price as a considerably less costly when new PR6 of the same age/quality.
That said, looking at your profile (living in Switzerland, lots of tasty cars), I'd say stop being a tight wad
and go out and buy yourself a new RS; (by the way, the chassis numbers are now over 500, so things have moved on a lot since your previous) much improved safety, much improved aero and huge stability and adjustability. Add in your considerable track credentials and perhaps surprisingly, I'd say you needn't go bonkers at all spec-wise: stick to the 1340cc (it makes RWHP not far off the old 1500 K7), tick the front floaters and single Intrax options and that's you basically sorted. If you want a paddleshift have one, but if you've very fast feet, then you could stick with a manual; and I mean very fast feet; you've got to be good at H&T to do it in a Radical, because things do happen rather quickly. Unless the likes of Darren, Simon, Jon, Colin etc etc happen to be playing with their racecars on a trackday, you'll likely be the fastest thing on track by a country mile ............ much to the delight of your passengers, large or small, which is the appreciable advantage of the SR3 over the otherwise superb Radical trackday car, the now resurgent SR4.
Nick Dove is expecting your call! Roll up your sleeves, tell him I sent you and put the squeeze on him!
PS More than welcome to have a ride in our RS (paddleshift) next time we're out; by all means email me.
dsl2 said:
As you race already, what do you want to do track days for (boring!)? Get a Caterham for that.........
Either Pr6 or SR3 in current bog basic spec as per the regs for Radical club cup (1340cc untuned in PR6 & 1475cc in SR3 mild tune) are within a smidge of each other for performance around most tracks (few tenth's of a second difference)
So to my mind you are just left with the decision as to wether you want two seats or not? PR6 cheaper, requires smaller trailer to transport, easy to push around or generally man handle in the pits, you can just about (if no one is around) get the bodywork on & off on your own (I manage to run & race one on my own, unless I can grab a passer by to get the body on or off & occasionally clean tyre's up eh Trev!) & its standard engine is less likely to be troublesome, not to mention cheaper to refresh at the end of the season.
On the PR6 downside if you wanted ultimate performance at each track you would change the rear sprocket, but for track days I guess you would just stick a 47 on, accept the slight compromise with the acceleration in the knowledge that it should do pretty much all of the UK tracks I would of thought.......
Other than that, SR3 is a very nice bit of kit in current format (RS) but I would of said it really needs two people to man handle & run it..... (Nothing wrong with old one's either mind. See Mr Marsham's performance in qually at Rockingham via the wonders of TSL timing, gloss over race results as he was just exploring the limits before starting the season proper!)
Thanks for taking the time to answer! I did the Caterham thing a while back and I'm addicted to aero cars really, as I guess are the rest of you Either Pr6 or SR3 in current bog basic spec as per the regs for Radical club cup (1340cc untuned in PR6 & 1475cc in SR3 mild tune) are within a smidge of each other for performance around most tracks (few tenth's of a second difference)
So to my mind you are just left with the decision as to wether you want two seats or not? PR6 cheaper, requires smaller trailer to transport, easy to push around or generally man handle in the pits, you can just about (if no one is around) get the bodywork on & off on your own (I manage to run & race one on my own, unless I can grab a passer by to get the body on or off & occasionally clean tyre's up eh Trev!) & its standard engine is less likely to be troublesome, not to mention cheaper to refresh at the end of the season.
On the PR6 downside if you wanted ultimate performance at each track you would change the rear sprocket, but for track days I guess you would just stick a 47 on, accept the slight compromise with the acceleration in the knowledge that it should do pretty much all of the UK tracks I would of thought.......
Other than that, SR3 is a very nice bit of kit in current format (RS) but I would of said it really needs two people to man handle & run it..... (Nothing wrong with old one's either mind. See Mr Marsham's performance in qually at Rockingham via the wonders of TSL timing, gloss over race results as he was just exploring the limits before starting the season proper!)
I like track days - over the years I've got to know quite a few people and the social side is great fun. Yes it isn't the same as racing, just different. I've found going with decent organisers on open pit lane days and you can have a lot of fun without getting too held up.
splitpin said:
Andy, at last, an easy question!
Just like the answer would be default PR6 if you wanted a Radical just for racing, has to be the SR3 for as the default Radical for trackdays, especially as you can buy a two year old one for much the same price as a considerably less costly when new PR6 of the same age/quality.
That said, looking at your profile (living in Switzerland, lots of tasty cars), I'd say stop being a tight wad and go out and buy yourself a new RS; (by the way, the chassis numbers are now over 500, so things have moved on a lot since your previous) much improved safety, much improved aero and huge stability and adjustability. Add in your considerable track credentials and perhaps surprisingly, I'd say you needn't go bonkers at all spec-wise: stick to the 1340cc (it makes RWHP not far off the old 1500 K7), tick the front floaters and single Intrax options and that's you basically sorted. If you want a paddleshift have one, but if you've very fast feet, then you could stick with a manual; and I mean very fast feet; you've got to be good at H&T to do it in a Radical, because things do happen rather quickly.
Unless the likes of Darren, Simon, Jon, Colin etc etc happen to be playing with their racecars on a trackday, you'll likely be the fastest thing on track by a country mile ............ much to the delight of your passengers, large or small, which is the appreciable advantage of the SR3 over the otherwise superb Radical trackday car, the now resurgent SR4.
Nick Dove is expecting your call! Roll up your sleeves, tell him I sent you and put the squeeze on him!
PS More than welcome to have a ride in our RS (paddleshift) next time we're out; by all means email me.
Hey thanks also - and I'd love to have a ride in your RS!Just like the answer would be default PR6 if you wanted a Radical just for racing, has to be the SR3 for as the default Radical for trackdays, especially as you can buy a two year old one for much the same price as a considerably less costly when new PR6 of the same age/quality.
That said, looking at your profile (living in Switzerland, lots of tasty cars), I'd say stop being a tight wad
and go out and buy yourself a new RS; (by the way, the chassis numbers are now over 500, so things have moved on a lot since your previous) much improved safety, much improved aero and huge stability and adjustability. Add in your considerable track credentials and perhaps surprisingly, I'd say you needn't go bonkers at all spec-wise: stick to the 1340cc (it makes RWHP not far off the old 1500 K7), tick the front floaters and single Intrax options and that's you basically sorted. If you want a paddleshift have one, but if you've very fast feet, then you could stick with a manual; and I mean very fast feet; you've got to be good at H&T to do it in a Radical, because things do happen rather quickly. Unless the likes of Darren, Simon, Jon, Colin etc etc happen to be playing with their racecars on a trackday, you'll likely be the fastest thing on track by a country mile ............ much to the delight of your passengers, large or small, which is the appreciable advantage of the SR3 over the otherwise superb Radical trackday car, the now resurgent SR4.
Nick Dove is expecting your call! Roll up your sleeves, tell him I sent you and put the squeeze on him!
PS More than welcome to have a ride in our RS (paddleshift) next time we're out; by all means email me.
My old SR3 obviously didn't have paddles and I found h&t fine in that - in fact I found it easier than in my normal cars.
I'm trying to be sensible about money, much as I'd love to go buy a new RS it is a bit crazy if I'll only use it half a dozen times a year.
I'll have to try the PR6 I guess. Do Radical still do tests at Bruntingthorpe do you know?
AndrewD said:
I like track days - over the years I've got to know quite a few people and the social side is great fun. Yes it isn't the same as racing, just different. I've found going with decent organisers on open pit lane days and you can have a lot of fun without getting too held up.
I agree ............ and an Exclusively Radical ROC Trackday is something else again on all fronts. There are a couple of 2010 dates being actively pursued.I'll email you as soon as we've got dates in the diary, but put a ring round Silverstone GP 19 July 2010 (GT is the TDO) 'just in case'; only trouble is ours (i.e. ROC's) has the latest paddleshift and I reckon you are going to fall head over heels with it.
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