hughp3

I will see if this thread gets booted to General as it did on 6SP.... strange

Anyone driven both and how does it compare? I track my 997.1 3/1 over street and maybe I should think about a dedicated track car, however I am interested in comparisons such as skill level required, effort to drive, does it require 8ths or higher all the time, high downforce gotchas, damage if you run off etc....

Most importantly is the GT3 still more fun and rewarding to drive that this hard core sled?

va122

Hey, I just sold my GT3 and bought a Radical SR-3 1500. The thing is no comparison to a GT3, it's like 17s/lap faster! Plus you can get paddle shifters! It is however a different driving technique and a steep learning curve to use the downforce. You can't really compare a tube framed 1000lb race car to a 3100lb street car, however modified.

hughp3

Hey Victor I see you are an instuctor so your skill level is a good bit higher than mine. I am mid pack in Group 4. But are you enjoying the Radical to the point that you do not miss the GT3 or are there times where you would like to have both?

aussie jimmy

driven the gt3 on track, rode in the radical sr-3rs.

apparently they are easy to drive. yes, you have to go 8/10ths + all the time, otherwise aero doesn't work. it's a very rough ride, noisy, with harsh vibrations. when you drive a gt3 or any roadcar on the track, you get pleasure out of thinking about and executing your next corner. you get adrenalin buzz, but it is enjoyable. the radical is not very enjoyable in that everything comes up to you so fast, it's hard for your brain to keep up ( for me anyway). it's a buzz akin to bungee jumping. you jump, then you have to deal with it. most people i've seen who go off, spin on the spot. i haven't seen one in a major incident, but it has happened. the rs model has an fia approved crash box upfront, the old model doesn't.

your best bet, is to go try one. you obviously track your 3 quite a bit, so you are probably ready for the next level. if you can keep your 3 as well, that would be ideal.
if i were to pick one i would take the 3 due to it's versatility.

hughp3

LOL, Thanks Jimmy great feedback. Sounds kinda like a fast Kart then. Rough, physical, fast, on edge. Yea maybe not my cup of tea and I know I am not capable of consistant good (vs crazy) 9/10ths in a
GT3.

va122

I actually haven't driven it yet, I have a track weekend scheduled to do some pre-season testing. I have a pro booked for 4 hours to teach me to drive the thing.

Of course I'd rather have both! Totally different experience. I love my GT3 but I can't afford to have both.

Something to consider, the radical is a pure race car and needs to maintained as such like a engine rebuild every 30 hours, oil changes after 6 etc.

Also the radical uses slicks, crazy grip but don't last more then a couple heat cycles. (I used slicks on my GT3 too but I'm nuts) r-comps last so much longer.

996FLT6

Sadly u could drive 5/10ths on a radical and beat a gt3 doing 8/10ths and it's a mile
long : (. Mike

24Chromium

How long would a set of slicks last you? And same question for Hoosier R6.

va122

The slicks fall off after 4HCs They'll last for 8. About a day.
The R6 will fall off after 8 but will last like 16. About a weekend.

This is for me, your driving style may be different and your life may vary

aussie jimmy

yeah, it's like a superkart. i was in the passenger seat, so of course, it would be nicer to drive. my driver has set the local lap record in an sr-8 so he knows these cars. it's very physical, so a bit of training might be a good idea.
like victor said, it needs race car maintenance and specialist care. it's a steep learning curve that's for sure, but would be very rewarding.

you must experience it though. just go to where they have a day-program and have a go, even if you have to travel interstate. after that, you will know whether it's for you, or not.

va122

Jimmy hit the nail on the head, rent a radical for a day and see. If you can swing it get both, what the hell?

FFaust

How appropriate that Victor would be the first to reply

I could see myself getting a sport racer some day but the biggest hold-back/challenge is... who do you ride with. IOW, how compatible are these with other track users. Would be great with a bunch of buddies driving the same machines but otherwise

va122

well in my situation, I will be keeping the car at Spring mountain.The club has a radical race series .
and there a ton of radical drivers at the club. They have separate sessions for the radicals so you're not waiting for some slow *** GT3 j/k. It's uber convenient that the track has a dedicated facility that specializes in radicals, they own radical west so theres no shortage of parts. They have a deal with dunlop and stock the tires on site. Also the engine builder Powertech is based on site as well.

So you see, in my situation it's the ideal car. Pure arrive and drive, no worries about towing the car to the shop for it's very frequent maintenance. I hate towing. The GT3 can be driven on the street. Very important point to consider.

hughp3

I see Radical US is based in Florida so not far for me. They do have a try before buy program too, yea might just do that. If its as physical as Karting however it may not be for me, I am not a young lad any more and sometimes feel like the Little Feat lyric " mind makes a promise the body can't keep"

FFaust

Ideal set up Vic, hard to beat indeed

Speaking of being physical, my boss has raced "cup" Vettes for some years and just got a Stohr this year. He is now on a 6-day-a-week training regimen and has spent the second half of the summer with red eyes due to popped blood vessels from the high Gs. Sounds like a real blast though