Radical Motorsport
Encyclopedia
Radical Sportscars is an auto manufacturer and constructor of racing cars from England
. The company was founded in January 1997 by amateur drivers and engineers Mick Hyde and Phil Abbott, who built open-cockpit sportscars which could be registered for road use and run on a track without modification. Although most of Radical's sportscars are road legal, they also build some purpose-built racing cars, such as the SR9 Le Mans prototype
.
The company's first car, the Radical 1100 Clubsport, was based on a Kawasaki
motorcycle
engine placed inside a small open-cockpit chassis which could house two adults. The cars were intended to run in the 750 Motor Club
's races under the Sports 2000
category, with co-founder Hyde driving.
In 1999, Radical had built enough 1100 Clubsports that they decided to create a one-make series based around the car. Backed by the British Racing and Sports Car Club
, the series featured identical cars that were open to anyone who owned an 1100 Clubsport. The same year, Radical debuted their second model, the Prosport. Available with Kawasaki or Suzuki
engine up to 1500 cc in displacement, the Prosports were even more powerful and faster than the Clubsports, and even included an adjustable rear wing. The cars were also brought to the United States for the first time, for use in the SCCA D-Sport class in 2000.
Radical's next creation was the SR3, a car which could compete in international racing, such as the FIA
's C3 class. The car uses a Suzuki-based engine tuned by Powertec (now RPE) which offered 1300 cc or 1500 cc versions and a maximum of 252 hp in the latter. A six-speed sequential gearbox was developed specifically for the car to improve performance. The SR3 could also be road legal in the United Kingdom with the addition of turn signals, a hand brake, a catalytic converter, and road legal tires.
In 2006, Radical would make its largest leap into motorsport with the development of the SR9, a complete Le Mans prototype
which fit into the LMP2 class. Official partner Rollcentre Racing would debut the car with success in the Le Mans Series
and 24 Hours of Le Mans
.
Radical was able to move into the CN class of cars, used in VdeV and hillclimbing events throughout Europe, in 2007. The SR5 was based around a Honda
VTEC
2.0 L engine which could produce 237 hp, although a Ford
Duratec
was also available.
The most popular Radical model, over 400 SR3s have been built in Clubsport, Supersport, and Tracksport models. The car is built on a spaceframe chassis, and uses a variety of RPE-tuned motorcycle engines for power. Turbocharging is also available on the motors for even more power. Base versions produce 252 hp and get the SR3 to 60 mi/h in just 3.8 seconds and on to 147 mi/h.
or Ford
production four-cylinder engine. A variety of gearboxes are also available, with either a manual or pneumatic semi-automatic. The spaceframe chassis does not integrate the engine as a stressed member in an attempt to increase its endurance capabilities.
regulations. The PR6 features a single-seater cockpit, with many aerodynamic elements from the SR4 added. The PR6 is powered by a variety of motorcycle engines based on class regulations.
is a more extreme version intended for street and track use. The SR8 also features the largest engine Radical has ever put in their road cars, with the 2600 cc RPE RPA V8 constructed by combining elements of Suzuki
inline-4s, and producing 363 hp. A further variant, known as the SR8LM, increases the engine to 2800 cc and brings power output to 455 hp. In August 2009 Michael Vergers, driving an SR8LM, set a new lap record (6 minutes, 48 seconds) for a road legal production car at the Nürburgring
Nordschleife circuit. The previous record (6 minutes, 55 seconds) was also set by Vergers, in 2005 at the wheel of a Radical SR8.
One SR8 will be changed into an electric car by a team of students Racing Green Endurance
from Imperial College London
to race the full length of the Pan-American highway in May 2010. The race aims to challenge commonly held perceptions surrounding electric vehicles performance and range.
Radical's first Le Mans Prototype
, the SR9 is built to full LMP2 regulations. It is able to be run in the American Le Mans Series
, Le Mans Series
, and 24 Hours of Le Mans
. Engines include a Judd
XV675 3400 cc V8 or a turbocharged Advanced Engine Research
(AER) P07 2000 cc Inline-4. Using the first carbon fiber
monocoque
in Radical's history, the SR9 weighs a mere 775 kg (1,709 lb). Radical is also investigating plans for upgrading the SR9 to be able to run in the larger LMP1 class.
. The Radical is fitted with an AER
bio-diesel engine. The chassis is an upgraded SR9. The team traveled to the United States, but was unable to run the car due to homologation issues with the monocoque in regards to the car's crash test certification. The car was then entered in the Petit Le Mans
but was withdrawn as well. The car did however make its competitive debut in the ALMS race at Laguna Seca raceway finishing 7th in the Lmp1 class and 32nd overall, after battling with mechanical & fuel issues throughout the weekend. ECO Racing once again entered the car in the 2009 American Le Mans Series at two events: the Petit Le Mans and Monterey Sports Car Championships. The car ran in practice at the Petit Le Mans but did not participate in qualifying or the race. The same series of events also happened at the Monterey Sports Car Championships.
The largest and newest series, the Radical European Masters, is a support event for all Le Mans Series
races. All Radicals (except the SR9) are eligible to run, with each model running in their own respective class. Two smaller series are the Radical UK Cup for all models of Radical and the Radical Club Cup specifically for SR3, SR4, PR6 and Clubsport models. In Europe, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Sweden and Italy all hold their own national championships with a variety of Radical models. In the USA, there are two Radical race series, the Radical Cup West and the Radical Cup East.
with their new SR9. The British Rollcentre Racing team would run the first chassis using Judd power before being joined later in the season by a factory team, known as Team Bruichladdich
Radical, who used the AER powerplant. Both teams would score their only points of the season at Nürburgring
, with Rollcentre taking third in LMP2 and Radical finishing in fifth.
Rollcentre would also run the company's first entry in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
. Although the car finished in a distant 20th place, the car was able to prove its reliability by being able to finish the race only months after being completed. The factory Radical squad also flew to the United States for the final round of the American Le Mans Series
, where they joined the third SR9 completed, now owned by Van der Steur Racing. However, both cars suffered problems and failed to finish.
For 2007, Rollcentre sold their SR9 as they moved onto a new LMP1 Pescarolo
. Embassy Racing
purchased the car and continued running it in the Le Mans Series alongside the factory Radical, while Van der Steur would run a partial schedule in the American Le Mans Series. For 2008, Italian team World Racing Cars purchased the Judd-powered SR9 from Embassy.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The company was founded in January 1997 by amateur drivers and engineers Mick Hyde and Phil Abbott, who built open-cockpit sportscars which could be registered for road use and run on a track without modification. Although most of Radical's sportscars are road legal, they also build some purpose-built racing cars, such as the SR9 Le Mans prototype
Le Mans Prototype
A Le Mans Prototype is a type of sports prototype race car most notably used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, American Le Mans Series and Le Mans Series...
.
History
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
engine placed inside a small open-cockpit chassis which could house two adults. The cars were intended to run in the 750 Motor Club
750 Motor Club
750 Motor Club is an auto racing club in the UK. It was founded in 1939 and was originally for Austin 7 fans . It later led to racing and the 750 Formula where specials were raced...
's races under the Sports 2000
Sports 2000
Sports 2000 is a restricted-rules class of two-seat, rear-engined, open-cockpit, full-bodied sports-prototype racecar used largely in amateur road racing. Sometimes known as S2000 or S2, the class was developed by John Webb, then of the Brands Hatch racing circuit in England, as an affordable form...
category, with co-founder Hyde driving.
In 1999, Radical had built enough 1100 Clubsports that they decided to create a one-make series based around the car. Backed by the British Racing and Sports Car Club
British Racing and Sports Car Club
The British Racing and Sports Car Club is one of the major organisers of motorsport events in the United Kingdom.-History:The 500 Club, as it was then known, was founded in 1946. The club promoted racing in 500 c.c. single-seater racing cars, later known as Formula Three. Motor Sport reported in...
, the series featured identical cars that were open to anyone who owned an 1100 Clubsport. The same year, Radical debuted their second model, the Prosport. Available with Kawasaki or Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
engine up to 1500 cc in displacement, the Prosports were even more powerful and faster than the Clubsports, and even included an adjustable rear wing. The cars were also brought to the United States for the first time, for use in the SCCA D-Sport class in 2000.
Radical's next creation was the SR3, a car which could compete in international racing, such as the FIA
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is a non-profit association established as the Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus on 20 June 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users...
's C3 class. The car uses a Suzuki-based engine tuned by Powertec (now RPE) which offered 1300 cc or 1500 cc versions and a maximum of 252 hp in the latter. A six-speed sequential gearbox was developed specifically for the car to improve performance. The SR3 could also be road legal in the United Kingdom with the addition of turn signals, a hand brake, a catalytic converter, and road legal tires.
In 2006, Radical would make its largest leap into motorsport with the development of the SR9, a complete Le Mans prototype
Le Mans Prototype
A Le Mans Prototype is a type of sports prototype race car most notably used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, American Le Mans Series and Le Mans Series...
which fit into the LMP2 class. Official partner Rollcentre Racing would debut the car with success in the Le Mans Series
Le Mans Series
The Le Mans Series is a European sports car racing endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and run by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest . The series was originally named the Le Mans Endurance Series, but changed its name prior to the 2006 season...
and 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
.
Radical was able to move into the CN class of cars, used in VdeV and hillclimbing events throughout Europe, in 2007. The SR5 was based around a Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
VTEC
VTEC
VTEC is a valvetrain system developed by Honda to improve the volumetric efficiency of a four-stroke internal combustion engine. The VTEC system uses two camshaft profiles and electronically selects between the profiles. It was invented by Honda R&D engineer Ikuo Kajitani, and was the first system...
2.0 L engine which could produce 237 hp, although a Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
Duratec
Ford Duratec engine
The Duratec is a range of four, five, and six-cylinder gasoline engines produced by the Ford Motor Company, used in Ford, Mazda, Volvo, Caterham, Morgan, Tiger, Ginetta cars and by specialist engine tuner Cosworth....
was also available.
Current models
Radical currently sells six different models, all of which can be converted to street use in certain countries except for the SR9 and SR10. Various options, most notably in the powerplants, are available on all of the cars.SR3
SR4 Clubsport
Although this car shares most of the engine and powertrain from the SR3, the SR4 features all new bodywork and undertray, including a front diffuser, in order to make it a more capable track car. Also widely used in various national racing series. This car replaces the initial 1100 Clubsport.SR5 CN
Built for international competitions, including hillclimbs and endurance events, the SR5 features either a HondaHonda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
or Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
production four-cylinder engine. A variety of gearboxes are also available, with either a manual or pneumatic semi-automatic. The spaceframe chassis does not integrate the engine as a stressed member in an attempt to increase its endurance capabilities.
PR6 Prosport
The replacement for the original Prosport, the PR6 is a purpose-built race car designed to meet SCCA and MSAMotor Sports Association
The Motor Sports Association , is the official governing body of motorsport in the United Kingdom.-Responsibilities:...
regulations. The PR6 features a single-seater cockpit, with many aerodynamic elements from the SR4 added. The PR6 is powered by a variety of motorcycle engines based on class regulations.
SR8
Based on the SR3, the SR8Radical SR8
The Radical SR8 is a British sports car made by Radical Sportscars that holds the Nürburgring lap time of 6:55. The LM edition holds the Nürburgring lap record for the fastest production car in the world with a time of 6:48...
is a more extreme version intended for street and track use. The SR8 also features the largest engine Radical has ever put in their road cars, with the 2600 cc RPE RPA V8 constructed by combining elements of Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
inline-4s, and producing 363 hp. A further variant, known as the SR8LM, increases the engine to 2800 cc and brings power output to 455 hp. In August 2009 Michael Vergers, driving an SR8LM, set a new lap record (6 minutes, 48 seconds) for a road legal production car at the Nürburgring
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
Nordschleife circuit. The previous record (6 minutes, 55 seconds) was also set by Vergers, in 2005 at the wheel of a Radical SR8.
One SR8 will be changed into an electric car by a team of students Racing Green Endurance
Racing Green Endurance
Racing Green Endurance is a student-led project at Imperial College London to demonstrate the potential of zero emission cars. The team drove 26,000 km down the Pan-American Highway starting from north Alaska in July 2010, this was filmed by the documentary maker Claudio Von...
from Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
to race the full length of the Pan-American highway in May 2010. The race aims to challenge commonly held perceptions surrounding electric vehicles performance and range.
SR9 LMP2
Le Mans Prototype
A Le Mans Prototype is a type of sports prototype race car most notably used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, American Le Mans Series and Le Mans Series...
, the SR9 is built to full LMP2 regulations. It is able to be run in the American Le Mans Series
American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC...
, Le Mans Series
Le Mans Series
The Le Mans Series is a European sports car racing endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and run by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest . The series was originally named the Le Mans Endurance Series, but changed its name prior to the 2006 season...
, and 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
. Engines include a Judd
Judd (engine)
Judd is a name brand of engines produced by Engine Developments Ltd., a company founded in 1971 by John Judd and Jack Brabham in Rugby, Warwickshire, England...
XV675 3400 cc V8 or a turbocharged Advanced Engine Research
Advanced Engine Research
Advanced Engine Research, Ltd. is an auto racing engine manufacturer based in Basildon, Essex, England...
(AER) P07 2000 cc Inline-4. Using the first carbon fiber
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
monocoque
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
in Radical's history, the SR9 weighs a mere 775 kg (1,709 lb). Radical is also investigating plans for upgrading the SR9 to be able to run in the larger LMP1 class.
SR10 LMP1
In early 2008, Eco Racing announced it would run a Radical SR10 in the LMP1 class at the 12 Hours of Sebring12 Hours of Sebring
The 12 Hours of Sebring is an annual motorsport endurance race for sports cars held at Sebring International Raceway, a former Army Air Force base in Sebring, Florida...
. The Radical is fitted with an AER
Advanced Engine Research
Advanced Engine Research, Ltd. is an auto racing engine manufacturer based in Basildon, Essex, England...
bio-diesel engine. The chassis is an upgraded SR9. The team traveled to the United States, but was unable to run the car due to homologation issues with the monocoque in regards to the car's crash test certification. The car was then entered in the Petit Le Mans
Petit Le Mans
The Petit Le Mans is a sports car endurance race held annually at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, USA. It uses the rules established for the 24 hours of Le Mans by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest , which are slightly modified if necessary, mainly to allow additional cars to compete.The race was...
but was withdrawn as well. The car did however make its competitive debut in the ALMS race at Laguna Seca raceway finishing 7th in the Lmp1 class and 32nd overall, after battling with mechanical & fuel issues throughout the weekend. ECO Racing once again entered the car in the 2009 American Le Mans Series at two events: the Petit Le Mans and Monterey Sports Car Championships. The car ran in practice at the Petit Le Mans but did not participate in qualifying or the race. The same series of events also happened at the Monterey Sports Car Championships.
One-make series
Although Radicals started out competing in existing events, it was Radical's creation of their own series that have been the choice of competition for most Radical owners. Radical currently backs four international series, while a further six series have been created on the national level.The largest and newest series, the Radical European Masters, is a support event for all Le Mans Series
Le Mans Series
The Le Mans Series is a European sports car racing endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and run by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest . The series was originally named the Le Mans Endurance Series, but changed its name prior to the 2006 season...
races. All Radicals (except the SR9) are eligible to run, with each model running in their own respective class. Two smaller series are the Radical UK Cup for all models of Radical and the Radical Club Cup specifically for SR3, SR4, PR6 and Clubsport models. In Europe, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Sweden and Italy all hold their own national championships with a variety of Radical models. In the USA, there are two Radical race series, the Radical Cup West and the Radical Cup East.
Le Mans
In the second quarter of 2005, the company announced its plans to race in the LMP2 class of the Le Mans SeriesLe Mans Series
The Le Mans Series is a European sports car racing endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and run by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest . The series was originally named the Le Mans Endurance Series, but changed its name prior to the 2006 season...
with their new SR9. The British Rollcentre Racing team would run the first chassis using Judd power before being joined later in the season by a factory team, known as Team Bruichladdich
Bruichladdich
Bruichladdich Distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery on the Rhinns of the isle of Islay. It is one of eight distilleries on the island, and until the recent opening of Kilchoman farm distillery, the only independent one....
Radical, who used the AER powerplant. Both teams would score their only points of the season at Nürburgring
2006 1000km of Nürburgring
The 2006 1000km of Nürburgring was the third race of the 2006 Le Mans Series season run by the ACO. It was run on July 16, 2006-Official results:Class winners in bold...
, with Rollcentre taking third in LMP2 and Radical finishing in fifth.
Rollcentre would also run the company's first entry in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
. Although the car finished in a distant 20th place, the car was able to prove its reliability by being able to finish the race only months after being completed. The factory Radical squad also flew to the United States for the final round of the American Le Mans Series
American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC...
, where they joined the third SR9 completed, now owned by Van der Steur Racing. However, both cars suffered problems and failed to finish.
For 2007, Rollcentre sold their SR9 as they moved onto a new LMP1 Pescarolo
Pescarolo Sport
Pescarolo Sport is a motorsport team based in Le Mans, France and founded in 2000 by French racing driver Henri Pescarolo. They race in the Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In October 2007, Henri Pescarolo purchased Jacques Nicolet's Saulnier Racing and created Pescarolo Automobiles,...
. Embassy Racing
Embassy Racing
Embassy Racing was a British auto racing team founded by Jonathan France in 2003. Initially created as a conjunction with Xero Competition in the British GT Championship, the team expanded to become an independent team and began to win races in British GT before the team took a sabbatical year in...
purchased the car and continued running it in the Le Mans Series alongside the factory Radical, while Van der Steur would run a partial schedule in the American Le Mans Series. For 2008, Italian team World Racing Cars purchased the Judd-powered SR9 from Embassy.