Tested a New SR3 this week ! | FerrariChat
Buy

Tested a New SR3 this week !

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by FLATOUTRACING, Oct 8, 2004.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. FLATOUTRACING

    FLATOUTRACING F1 Rookie

    Aug 20, 2001
    2,684
    East Coast
    Full Name:
    Jon K.
    #1 FLATOUTRACING, Oct 8, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Although I had driven two other Radicals in the past year, one had the lower hp powerplant (185 hp) and the other I wasn't really allowed to push it to 10/10ths where this car really comes alive.

    A friend of mine recently purchased a fully loaded SR3 (70K) and I was invited to test the car at Summit Point Motorsports Part and shake it down. For 4 hours we just ran the car (and one other SR3) flat out (pardon the pun).

    Very impressive once you can really wring the crap out of one. Would suck the doors off anything this side of a 333SP or F1 car.

    Video: http://jpkofod.lunarpages.com/SR3.mpg

    It's like a detuned LMP car and very user friendly.

    Regards,

    Jon P. Kofod (whose scratching his head at all the money he spent on his 355 C)
    www.flatoutracing.net
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. artn

    artn Karting

    Mar 2, 2004
    108
    #2 artn, Oct 8, 2004
    Wow! I am really jealous!

    The radical is one car I would like to drive before my driving days are done.

    I can't believe how a version of that car can be street legal in the UK.

    (sort of funny, as it is common preception that there's lot more regulation and things in the UK v. the US).


    In the trim you drove, what kind of maintenance schedule are you looking at for the motor? (is it one of those xhrs till total tear down situations?)
     
  3. FLATOUTRACING

    FLATOUTRACING F1 Rookie

    Aug 20, 2001
    2,684
    East Coast
    Full Name:
    Jon K.
    #3 FLATOUTRACING, Oct 8, 2004
    Yeah, the guy that took delivery of the SR3 I tested got a ride in one with one of the owners of Radical in England. They have to raise the car somewhat but I think that's about it.

    I was told the maintenance schedule for the engine is 120-150 hours though that seem a bit high to me but I can't verify or deny the claim.

    I was just amazed at the aero package and the grip levels. I driven a few Formula cars and this had even more grip.

    Cheers,

    Jon
     
  4. damcgee

    damcgee Formula 3

    Feb 23, 2003
    1,864
    Mobile, AL
    #4 damcgee, Oct 8, 2004
    The new SR4 should be out very soon right? They've developed their own proprietary engine, and developed a gearbox, as well (IIRC). I wonder how much this will inflate the cost.
     
  5. Dale

    Dale F1 Veteran

    Oct 7, 2003
    5,211
    uk
    Full Name:
    Dale Juan
    #5 Dale, Oct 8, 2004
    I cant wait to see the new SR8 that should be a reel mad beast,dont know if this will be road legal as the SR3/4 versions but its only a matter of sticking some lights on it and a test then off to the shops in it,real great cars glad you enjoyed it,

    Dale.
     
  6. FLATOUTRACING

    FLATOUTRACING F1 Rookie

    Aug 20, 2001
    2,684
    East Coast
    Full Name:
    Jon K.
    #6 FLATOUTRACING, Oct 9, 2004
    SR4 is already out I think it's about 5-10K more.

    The SR8 is going to be a beast. Something approaching a 675 LMP car.

    I think the SR8 will be used mainly in competition (ALMS and FIA)

    A review of my test of the SR3 can be found at http://www.funktionauto.com/funktion_news_1.asp

    Considering what I spent on the Challenge car and the cost of a new Porsche GT3 Cup car this car seems like a well engineered bargain.

    Cheers,

    Jon
     
  7. pino

    pino Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    208
    South Central PA
    #7 pino, Oct 9, 2004
    C'mon Jon! While I understand the allure because of the way this car drives, it leaves a bit to be desired in the appearance department, no?

    Oh, and did it sound as good as your 355C?

    Just joking of course! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or in this case the (low)lap time of the beholder.
     
  8. FormulaRacer

    FormulaRacer Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2003
    261
    #8 FormulaRacer, Oct 9, 2004
    I would still take a Stohr to race rather than a radical.

    However, the new engine tradical is developing the 2.6L v8, looks mighty impressive. With the use of an exisitng head design from a 4banger, and just using two of them, revampedfor the v8 its pretty sick.

    For a track car, Stohr is coming out with a track day car, and maloy has a Very nice setup to race against the stop stohrs.
     
  9. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    28,989
    socal
    #9 fatbillybob, Oct 10, 2004
    Jon,

    How can you really compare the SR3? Cars from differnent classes are just different. Would you want to get hit in an SR3 if you were on track with guys in 3000lb vipers? Being able to be so much faster than anything else on the track can save some of your bacon but sometimes you are not the windshield...you are the bug. So the trackday concept is a bit weak with the SR3's since most simple trackdays are streetcars and modified streetcars. Further, lets talk class? Where does the sr3 really fit. I think NASA and SCCA have specail classes just for these cars so the competition grids are small and spread out over the whole country. Contrast that with DSR and you got everything from the non-competative fun seekers to the next hot shot who wants a sponcored ride. Yes the sr3 is fast but you could just go for the motorcycle and lose another 700lbs!
     
  10. Turb0flat4

    Turb0flat4 Formula 3

    Mar 7, 2004
    1,244
    Singapore
    Full Name:
    RND
    #10 Turb0flat4, Oct 10, 2004
    Oh, come now. :D Getting into an accident is always a possibility on the track, granted it's more dangerous if you're in a lightweight, low car. If you let that logic deter you, you'd never even bring a Lotus Elise to the track where other heavier streetcars are racing. That would be a loss, because like the SR3, the Lotus can trounce most porkier sportscars.

    Personally, I love the SR3. Along with the Caterham 7 and the Tiger Z100, which I would consider to be cousins in spirit to the Radical. I've heard that one can rent an SR3 at Sepang, I'm going to be looking into this at my next Track Day, sounds too good to pass up. ;)
     
  11. FLATOUTRACING

    FLATOUTRACING F1 Rookie

    Aug 20, 2001
    2,684
    East Coast
    Full Name:
    Jon K.
    #11 FLATOUTRACING, Oct 10, 2004
    Pino: No it doesn't sound like a 355 Challenge w/ straight pipes, but unlike most motorcycle-engined racers it doesn't sound bad.

    Actually I like the appearance. It looks like a smaller version of an LMP car. I guess I am just blown away at the performance for the price. It's got to be at least 4-5 seconds per lap quicker at Summit.

    Formula Racer: From what I have been told by Mark Dalen (who sold his SR3 to get a Stohr which he raced at this year's Run Offs) the Stohr is a better racecar but not necessarily a better track day car. My friend want to sell these to track day folks. It was very easy to drive, unlike the smaller D sports Radical I drove a year ago.

    Bob: I understand your point about getting hit in one. Certainly at a track day this would be a concern since other cars would have a hard time seeing you and the speed differentials could be huge.

    If I got one I'd be racing it (or a Stohr). So those concerns would be a mute point to me but something other people would have to consider. However in my 6+ years of track day events I can't ever recall a single incident where one car hit another. I think if you looked into it you'd find that 99% of all incidents at track days are single car incidents where a driver overstepped his ability. Contrast that to racing where nearly half of the incidents are multi car incidents.

    The SR3 can be classed in either C or D sorts depending on engine (1100 or 1300). At the National level SCCA had large enough fields in those classes and at the Regional levels you are thrown in with "wings and things" (FF, FM, FSCCA, FC, FA....).

    What I was impressed with is that unlike most cars in this class, a track day person of average ability could actually drive the thing and have fun. The gearshift is very easy to use, the chassis is well set up with a hint of understeer from the factory, and the breakaway characteristics are mild.

    Compare this to some track day folks who are crazy enough to look at buying a Formula Continental or Formula Mazda (less so). These are cars that are not user friendly and don't operate well unless they are at their extreme limits. An FC feels really "darty" and unstable at 5-6/10ths where most track day folks drive the car in terms of the limit.

    From my perspective the track day issue is a mute point since I am solely focusing on racing. I haven't done one track day all year and other than next weeks FCA annual at Summit, I don't plan to do anymore.

    I guess I am just looking at the fun factor per $$. On this it beats a lot of high priced machinery. I see people constantly dumping money into their "street" based cars to get faster. One guy here has about 70K in his Viper and the SR3 would still wax his a$$ (and he can drive well).

    Regards,

    Jon

    PS: Pino you coming to Summit next weekend with the 355 ?
     
  12. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

    Mar 16, 2002
    13,337
    Ex-Urbia
    Full Name:
    Jack
    #12 Gilles27, Oct 10, 2004
    Jon, that's awesome! I've always loved the looks of the Radical ever since I first saw one on-track 4 years ago. I'd love to give one a go some day. I've been out of the loop for a while--is there any series that currently runs Radicals in an endurance format? I know in England they have large fields and race them every which way, but what fun would it be to enter a long event in one?!
     
  13. FormulaRacer

    FormulaRacer Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2003
    261
    #13 FormulaRacer, Oct 10, 2004
    Well if you are looking to race, Stohr is the way to go :)

    Maloy also has some great options, thier current and upcoming cars are going to be something to reacon with.

    The radicals are usually considered more of a toy to take to de's...but you can only do de's for so long. You get the "follow the guy in front of you" syndrome instead of "try to pass him any way possible at any time" aspect of racing.

    They are nice cars, and if you compare them to any normal sports car for a DE it's way better for the money hands down. If you think Radical/Stohrs sound good you should hear Formula SAE cars :)
    http://www.formularpi.com/v2/video/FormulaRPI6-5-04.mpg
     
  14. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

    Mar 16, 2002
    13,337
    Ex-Urbia
    Full Name:
    Jack
    #14 Gilles27, Oct 13, 2004
    I was really impressed with the Stohrs at the runoffs last year. It seems like Radical is trying to up their game, though.
     
  15. FormulaRacer

    FormulaRacer Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2003
    261
    #15 FormulaRacer, Oct 16, 2004
    Yea, radical is upping thier game, but nothing to make thier cars have the success Stohr/maloy has in the runoffs.

    The guys at maloy are pretty cool, I spoke with them a bunch over the summer trying to design some stuff with them.

    Radical seems to be filling in the "i need a fast car to play withj at DE"s more then "i want to win CSr/DR." But damn that new 2.6l v8 looks insane.
     

Share This Page