rlips

I just got back from Spring Mountain, where I was driving the Radicals (for the third time.) A Few Things:

1) They corner much, much harder than any street car I have driven (including my 2011 GT3). They brake harder and accelerate faster as well.

2) They are much more physical than a street car, I literally felt like I went ten rounds boxing after the weekend. My neck, in particular, was killing me.

3) Everything happens hyper fast.

4) totally different technique, my biggest problem was learning to trust the aero. My brian is telling me that there is no way it will stick, and, yet, it does.

5) They respond very well to corrections. Oversteer is predictable and catchable.

If there was a place like Spring Mountain near me, I would already own one.

FFaust

This sounds like something Savy should get into... just saying

mooty

that's the organizer, dave.
he's not pushing it at all. imagine if he drove it harder.

996FLT6

^that's why I know- at 5/10ths ^he rapes me good . Mike

Polesitter

Hughp3:

I own two radicals (both prosport and an sr3 and both for sale ) and a .1 GT3. I campaigned a radical about 4 years ago in the now defunct radical cup. A radical is a fun to drive club car, but it is not a true race car for a variety of reasons (primarily durability related).

Do not buy a new one under any circumstances as there are an abundance of lightly used ones available at 50 cents on the new dollar. Do not buy an SR8 or an SR5 if you go down this road. A friend of mine tried to "develop" the SR 5 and never could sort the drivetrain package. An SR8 does not provide sufficient mechanical or aerodynamic grip relative to the power it makes. I have seen many in the wall. It also should have a carbon fiber tub due to its straight-line speed capability. If I had to pick one it would be the prosport hands down. Lightest, most nimble, most fun to drive and most recoverable.

A few other notes. 1) while every radical sr 3 or prosport looks the same, each one has varying parts and fittings. We had cars with different radiator positions, exhaust systems, steering racks, spoilers, etc. This is a pain in the *** as relates to maintaining a good spares package. 2) the cars are fragile. You curb it, you can literally tear the front fenders off due to the design and some component fragility 3) the term factory support is an oxymoron. You are on your own. There are no manuals, component life cycle references, etc. 4) you cannot run this car by yourself. You need at least one other hand to race it.
5) while the car makes some downforce vs a sedan, it is not a true high downforce car. This is actually good if you are still learning as a high downforce tunnel equipped car requires you to drive it beyond what you think is possible in order to extract it's full potential. The radicals are actually pretty communicative and forgiving.

The best thing you mentioned was that your local track has a stable of radicals. If they have decent spares and knowledgeable mechanics, that makes a world of difference. You will also have more fun running with guys in similar equipment. Running with cup cars or GT3s is fine, but you will eat the 3s for lunch and end up pretty competitive with cup cars on shorter tracks. However, they can't see you well and if they push you off they will hardly notice.

Anyway, I hope this helps. A friend of mine that races cup cars has a great prosport with a 1500 engine if you are interested.

hughp3

Polesitter:
appreciate the valuable feedback. my original thoughts on the GT3 vs Radical was why beat a GT3 to death, maintenance etc.. However I have gleaned from this thread and others the GT3 appears to be much more the arrive and drive car. Not to say I cannot do much of the maintains myself since I have a well equipped shop but I had hoped the motor etc would not need the rebuild after so few hours it appears it needs. Someone mentioned an engine rebuild every thirty hours for a 1.5 liter. I may still drive one for the experience but the maintenance evidently required is above and beyond what I want, in fact thats why I bought the GT3, flog it and feel comfortable that it will not break on me. I have had the 3 for a year now and its been completely issue free after 12 DE's so far, just normal consumables. Guess I will save my pennies for a .2RS at some point.

Polesitter

Yes, you will have considerably more reliability with the gt3 and you are about right on the rebuild intervals. You may get 40-45 hrs, but that is on the high side. The good news is that the rebuild cost isn't too bad (5k range depending on scope) and you can pick up a good used one in the 50k range.

Try one out for a test and see what you think. The driving experience is a lot different and you may feel the urge to do something in an open cockpit car. You could also consider a West and even further up the curve an Elan dp 02. Both quick, more reliable and naturally more expensive.

Good luck.

jbossolo

"pole", just a quick honest question here. I got a 2002 SR3 with the 1300 engine. It currently has 61 hours, running perfect.
I only use for DE's, no wheel-to-wheel, shift easy (early), use double clutch and blip for downshifts, etc.
I've been told by a local Radical specialist that I can extend my rebuild to about 90 hours based on my use of the car. What's your take?
Thanks!

Polesitter

Your specialist would likely know best and if you aren't bumping here limiter at every upshift that certainly helps. If you are just running DEs, the Scholarly articles for Anterior cingulate cortex summary
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FFaust

Is this the Twilight Zone???

Polesitter

Sorry, something (besides my congressman) got corrupted. I think your mechanic would know best. If you aren't on the rev limiter at every shift that will certainly help with longevity. And if you are only running DEs, you can afford to push engine life. Nobody wants to lose a motor in the middle of a race weekend.

It also should not matter much if you run the motor out until the rebuild. I don't think the cost of the rebuild will change very much if you milk it for all it's worth. If you are down on times or discernible power at any point, a compression test may be worthwhile too.

jbossolo

Cool, thanks for the answer!

neuroguru

Polesitter, are you a limbic neurophysiologist with a CTRL-V dyspraxia?