Need a track car....

[pdisme]

They say the best things in life are free, but other than sex, what the hell was the person thinking about who coined that phrase? Certainly not track cars. :)

I took my G spyder to two track days recently and it was the most fun I'd had in quite some time, I loved it and am going back for more. Then just when I thought it could not get any better, I ride with a friend in his Radical SR3:

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/509/medium/DSC_8078.JPG

Lots more pics of that in the photo gallery: http://www.talklambo.com/pics/showgallery.php/cat/509

This is the most incredible thing you'll get to ride in short of a full on F1 car. You can read more about them at the manufacturer's website:

http://www.radicalextremesportscars.com/

My friend's car is the 1500cc engine version of the SR3 Supersport, basically it's an 1100 pound car with 250+ HP with a modified motorcycle engine that revs to 10k+. It has a high downforce option package on it which loses some top speed in favor of crazy cornering ability, it will sound like something that doesn't make sense but you can take corners faster the faster you go since it's creating more downforce as the speed increases. To give you an idea on how the car performs, after five laps I had bruises on my shoulders from the harness, it will pull well over 2 G's during braking, it can touch 2 G's while cornering and normal lapping at Sebring with both of us in the car was picking up lap times that were only about 25 seconds off the 3.7 mile course pro record. There's a series of three corners before the back striaght at Sebring where I, the novice driver who also didn't particularly want to put his Lamborghini into the wall, was comfortable taking the Gallardo through at about 70 mph, my instructor said he figured once I got better and got my confidence up that I'd be able to get up to the mid 90's with my car in its normal street tire setup and then in the Radical we were going through there at 125+ like the thing was magnetically attached to the ground.

So this experience convinced me that I really want to get a track car, for two reasons; one is that while the G performed quite admirably, it's still a very expensive street car and I don't want to end up damaging it or putting a huge amount of wear on it from tracking it too much and two, a dedicated track car can be set up with the proper non-street suspension configuration, race tires, etc.

Now how do you decide what to get?!?! Do you want to compete in organized competition? If so, do you want to be competitive or just be in the race to enjoy the experience? Do you just want a bad ass track day car? Maybe just something that takes corners crazy and is cheap to run and fix? Lots of factors and lots of possibilities out there. I've kind of decided I want something that is fast on the track but not necessarily for organized competition; if it meets a spec that would let me enter a race or two, that would be cool but not required.

There are a lot of options, best bang for the buck is the Radical, but after getting some pricing it's more than I want to spend since you have to factor in the cost of consumables for a year of racing, and believe me, track cars consume lots of things from tires to brake pads to rotors to fluids. With the options I wanted, the pricing was coming in around $95k with shipping. :icon_anal: My friend's car with a larger engine than I was looking at was more than $12k less just a year earlier so maybe Radical is getting cocky as their popularity grows. I'm keeping my eye on PVM Racing's website though as they seem to regularly have used SR3's for sale:

http://www.pvmracing.com/forsale.php

They just don't have any SR3's with the high downforce kit right now, which is an option I want as it makes a difference in cornering ability. They have a yellow 1600 on that page that is very tempting though...

So with that out of the question for the time being, what else to consider? Maybe get an NSX and track modify it for not too much money thanks to the huge wealth of aftermarket parts for those cars? Or maybe a Porsche GT2? (GT3 & GT3 RS too expensive) Or maybe a Miata? You laugh, but a properly set up Miata can take corners pretty damn well, here's one riding my ass nicely at Sebring:

http://whoi.be/vroom/d/2832-2/DSC_7923.JPG

I just don't think I could enjoy the Miata though because as soon as you get to a straight and stand on the gas, I want my car to let me know it has some balls as I punch through the gears, not feel like it's a wind up toy. I don't need formula cup racer speed but I don't want 60 to 100 in 10 seconds either even if it is great in the corners.

So, anyone else have some ideas? I know SuperVixen is going to chime in with the Lotus Exige cup car, she loves that car, I just don't know if it has the price/performance ratio I'm looking for, or if it would have the ongoing maintenance pricing I'm looking for either since obviously I wouldn't be able to do a lot of the engine work myself like I could on the Miata or Radical. Hell, outside of engine rebuilds, most of the Radical work can be done either by me or a reputable motorcycle shop since the 1300cc engine I would get is basically a tuned Hayabusa motor.

[Tofu]

Ever thought of an Exige? I don't know what the pricing is on them but they I've heard they are great track cars.


The radical is hands down the sickest track car out there.

[pdisme]

Some additional food for thought:

The Lotus Sport Exige Cup generates 100 pounds of downforce at 100 mph.

The Radical SR8, the SR3's big brother with a V8 but with similar body and wing, generates over 1000 pounds of downforce at the same speed.

The 1993 Nissan P35 race car generates more than 8000 pounds of downforce. :) http://www.mulsannescorner.com/nissanp35story.html Yeah baby!


Here's some of my favorite Radical videos:

Fifth Gear (Radical vs Ariel Atom) :
http://video.google.com/url?docid=5579608848106983187&esrc=sr2&ev=v&q=radical+sr3&vidurl=http://video.google.com/videoplay%3Fdocid%3D5579608848106983187%26q%3Dradi cal%2Bsr3&usg=AL29H229J-G1HhzF6n8_F7oB9SgFdqkyTg

[EDIT 3/3/2007 - This is not a Radical, it's a Normal M20]
SR3 doing a hill climb:
http://video.google.com/url?docid=3526825888603616601&esrc=sr4&ev=v&q=radical+sr3&vidurl=http://video.google.com/videoplay%3Fdocid%3D3526825888603616601%26q%3Dradi cal%2Bsr3&usg=AL29H23gU2kwIS84Cno8UcP_w76C7LeAHA

SR3 with pro driver Stuart Moseley at Rockingham:
http://video.google.com/url?docid=-1519849233070317073&esrc=sr6&ev=v&q=radical+sr3&vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D6uhpLM6xoe8&usg=AL29H21EhEqPo8eye-zp9vDzads0tvKtBQ

Last but not least, Radical SR8 in street legal configuration setting the track record at the the Nurburgring:
http://video.google.com/url?docid=-8427516492946457391&esrc=sr2&ev=v&q=radical+nurburgring&vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DiwtyZosuPNE&usg=AL29H22rpa9i9WcJr4RrCx2fmqq9o1mi1w
Of course we're talking UK street legal, which means it has four wheels and an engine. :) But it was at least not full on race tires which makes it that much more impressive at under 7 minutes.


You'll notice the shifting while watching the videos that the Radical uses a sequentical 6-speed dog box transmission which means if you do it right, you can do no clutch upshifts while barely lifting during the shift. Just bang the lever forward to downshift, pull back for up.

[RIE921]

What are your criteria for the car? Are you going to want something that is still streetable? Are you going to just be doing DE's and open track events, or doing you want to progress into some competitive realm? Sorry for the questions, but would loved to give the most informed answer possible.

[Tofu]

Well then, your only option is the P35....




I can never get enough of the SR3/8 videos, they are unbelievable.

The atom is also a cool little car but I really don't know much about it.

[pdisme]

Ever thought of an Exige? I don't know what the pricing is on them but they I've heard they are great track cars.


The radical is hands down the sickest track car out there.

Definitely looking at it, it's a fantastic driver's car, gives good feedback, but I'm not sure if it gives me the really raw in your face race car feel I'm wanting or the power to weight ratio to really gain speed quickly when you hit the straights. The Radical is unforgiving for the distracted driver but incredibly rewarding if you concentrate. The other concern is maintenance and repairs; the Lotus is quite expensive if you run off wrong and damage a body panel or worse.


What are your criteria for the car? Are you going to want something that is still streetable? Are you going to just be doing DE's and open track events, or doing you want to progress into some competitive realm? Sorry for the questions, but would loved to give the most informed answer possible.

This will be a track only car, but will need at least a single-adjustable suspension setup because Sebring is where I'll do most of my track days and it's bumpy as hell in some places since it's built on top of an old runway. I'd like to ultimately enter some competitive events but that's not mandatory because work will make it difficult to get away to events at more than about four tracks in Florida so I would never come close to competing enough for it to matter, most of the time it will just be high performance track days with car clubs. The Radical satisfies this criteria because you can get the engine sealed for SCCA and Radical Cup events but damn I wish the thing was about $20k less.

[pdisme]

Well then, your only option is the P35....



As long as you don't say P4/5. :lol2:

[Matt]

I had a sneaking suspision when you mentioned a track car that it would be a radical. Dont know much about then though. I used to competativly race karts... good times.

[pdisme]

I had a sneaking suspision when you mentioned a track car that it would be a radical. Dont know much about then though. I used to competativly race karts... good times.

Can you tell me what a shifter kart is? Is that just a kart with multi-ratio transmission?

There's no kart tracks in Tampa are there?

[Mr. Vroom]

Shifter Karts are da shit. They have motorcylce engines and transmissions, 125cc and up. You talk about G forces, a kart can pull upwards of 3 G's in the turns. They are fast(125 mph top end), sound like race cars, handle like them, its the fast, cheap and dirty way to learn how to drive. Moroso has a kart track and a place that rents shifters, I have done it a few times, a pure adrenaline rush. www.race-sport.net There is also a kart track around Ocala, but I don't think they rent shifters.

Just to give you an idea of the G's, I could barely keep my head up around the tight turns. I fly airplanes and a two G turn is nothing for me. Also, when you first get on one, you will master the art of spinouts real quick....

[pdisme]

Hmm, sounds like Tampa Bay area would be ripe for a shifter kart track.. $$$

I'll see if I can dig up some info on the Ocala track, Moroso is a long way to drive but Ocala would not be too bad.

What kind of planes do you fly Vroom? One of my best friends flies this Learjet in the pic with my car:

http://whoi.be/vroom/d/1835-2/2006-12-16+006.jpg

I've never ridden in that of course since I can't afford $1500/hour to joy ride, :) but he takes me up in Cessna's from time to time and tries to scare me. He hasn't done it with me in the plane yet 'cause I told him he'd get an ass kicking when we landed but he has stalled the engine on other friends to freak them out.

[Mr. Vroom]

We are deprived here on the west coast, plenty of options if you drive a hoveraround...... but the action always seem to be east.

I fly a cirrus SR 22, single engine, 4 seats, cruises at 180 TAS, comes with a ballastic parachute recovery system, which you can deploy when all other options fail. Moroso is less than hour away, they have a airport 10 minutes from the track, I call ahead, the people at race-sport pick me up when I land.....

Regarding a track car, anything less than your G will be a disapointment. I am referring to a Miata, or even a NSX. I spent a day at the track, Italiafest, and the G is pretty damn good out of the box. You can get better cornering from lesser cars, but the overall package of power and cornering ability will not be there, except for the radical which is a real race machine.

Here is a pic of the Cirrus:

[pdisme]

That's what I'm afraid of, I need a lot more track time before I can fully exploit the G, it just idly does whatever I ask of it so far since I'm not trying to push beyond my abilities, but I love blasting out of the corners and down the straights and hearing the engine howl at me. It would be fun ripping around the track in any high-G cornering car but I'd get frustrated when I stomp on it and there's nothing there. :lol2:

Some people say the Z06 actually doesn't make that bad of a track car; loves to oversteer of course with all that power and RWD on a light back end, but fun as a recreational track day car none the less, and if I put that into a wall I just take it down to the local Chevy dealer. :)

I think I still want the Radical, the intense experience was unmatched by the six or seven other cars I rode in with good drivers at that last Sebring event. I also like the Radical having two seats because it's really fun to give others rides on the track, it makes them want to get into auto racing too. Maybe I'll save up and get it later this year and just do a few more events with the G until then; I'm moving into a new house soon and have the extra money I'd need for the Radical tied up in things related to that.

[Matt]

Hmm, sounds like Tampa Bay area would be ripe for a shifter kart track.. $$$

Bro, i'm THERE! It would actually be a fairly lucrative business.

[jrfootin]

Shifter Karts are da shit. They have motorcylce engines and transmissions, 125cc and up. You talk about G forces, a kart can pull upwards of 3 G's in the turns. They are fast(125 mph top end), sound like race cars, handle like them, its the fast, cheap and dirty way to learn how to drive. Moroso has a kart track and a place that rents shifters, I have done it a few times, a pure adrenaline rush. www.race-sport.net There is also a kart track around Ocala, but I don't think they rent shifters.

Just to give you an idea of the G's, I could barely keep my head up around the tight turns. I fly airplanes and a two G turn is nothing for me. Also, when you first get on one, you will master the art of spinouts real quick....

Hmm, sounds like Tampa Bay area would be ripe for a shifter kart track.. $$$

I'll see if I can dig up some info on the Ocala track, Moroso is a long way to drive but Ocala would not be too bad.

What kind of planes do you fly Vroom? One of my best friends flies this Learjet in the pic with my car:

http://whoi.be/vroom/d/1835-2/2006-12-16+006.jpg

I've never ridden in that of course since I can't afford $1500/hour to joy ride, :) but he takes me up in Cessna's from time to time and tries to scare me. He hasn't done it with me in the plane yet 'cause I told him he'd get an ass kicking when we landed but he has stalled the engine on other friends to freak them out.




I bought a Radical this weekend. It is coming from CA. Should be here by 1st week in March.

He is a picture of me in a Radical @ the Italifest last weekend. (Can't seem to upload the file, my pictures are too big)

One drive & I had to buy one!

[pdisme]

I bought a Radical this weekend. It is coming from CA. Should be here by 1st week in March.

He is a picture of me in a Radical @ the Italifest last weekend. (Can't seem to upload the file, my pictures are too big)

One drive & I had to buy one!

Holy shit, can you give me more details on that J? Model, specs, pricing, etc. You can send me the dealer via PM if you got a sweet deal on it.

I got pricing from three different places, all within $1000 of each other, and here was the price and config:

2006 Radical SR3 Supersport
1300 cc base engine
Dry sump
Fuel injection
Transmission cooler
Bi-plane rear wing
High downforce front & sides
High downforce rear
Colored finish
Lightweight three piece wheels
Brake & bearing cooling shrouds
Dash-mounted brake bias adjuster
High sided seat
Passenger six-point belt
Roll-over bar stays
Manual fire extinguishing system

This put me at $86k
Tax $5160
Air Freight $5500

Total: $96600 :icon_anal:


Now I can certainly wait an extra few weeks to get it by boat, so chop $4000 off the shipping, if I drop the wheels back to stock I save $2600, get the passenger harness aftermarket and I save $400 (the car is already fit for it, you can get the same Sparco harness for $200 online and bolt it right in) but that was about all I could see removing without compromising the ability of the car, and that would still put me about $10k or more higher than where I want to be since you have to remember that you WILL be burning through consumables with this vehicle. Now if you got yours out of state, that blows away the $5100 tax (sure, I'll pay use tax when I bring it in :) ), so then I'm only about $5k away from where I want to be and I know these guys have at least $10k padding in this car, but an out of state dealer doesn't have the incentive to make deals since you'll likely be getting parts and services here in FL, so maybe they won't deal.

Regardless, please tell me more, either here or you've got my personal email. I can get you in touch with my friend Greg too, he's local and has an SR3 that he races in the Radical Cup; knows about all there is to know on radicals.

[Mr. Vroom]

Wow, congrats JR! When/Where are you going to track it?

[jrfootin]

Here are some pictures of my new Radical. I got a great deal. I plan on using it for the Chin Track days rather than beating on my Murci!

After driving one of these cars, I was sold. This car will lap any Lambo including a care Lambo.

[Shuey2k]

What engine does it have - coming from CA I would bet it has a 1400cc in it. That's my Radical that Dave is riding in above. When you get yours if you need any help with set up let me know.

Greg

[jrfootin]

Greg,

That would be great! Do you maintain the Radical yourself? Or do you do arive & drive with a professional company?

What part of town do you live in?

[pdisme]

Greg, welcome to the board, thanks for dropping in! I was hoping I could get you two in touch. J, Greg has an incredible wealth of information on Radicals from specs, maintenance, driving them (set your suspension right of turn 17 @ Sebring will rip your splitter off :) ), racing the Florida tracks, Radical cup, etc. I feel guilty asking him questions all the time but it's hard not to.

Greg, I was asking around about the kart track you found, someone told me it's up just shy of Palmetto, does that sound like the same one?

[pdisme]

I should add that he's not too shabby a driver either. :) If any of you remember the really loud Panoz car blasting by me like I was standing still coming out of turn 16 on my New Years video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn1yyi-3Lf4 ), that was one of their pro drivers and Greg was on his ass, with my added weight accompanying him, for two straight laps and he wouldn't give us a point by; he just could not shake the Radical.

[Shuey2k]

My pleasure, yep, that's the track. It is owned by two brothers and I think the name of the track is group four test track. If you go to Capemotorsports.com you can get an in car lap. Very cool.

By the way, in race one of the Radical Cup last month I had an off at the safety pin going for glory. Check it out on Youtube - search "Radical Cup Off". Enjoy

Dave, this is what happens when you brake deep, I mean real deep and then jump on the gas too early. Yep, I have Kung Fu hand speed. By the way that was a pass on the last lap of the race. Dam it!

[Shuey2k]

Greg,

That would be great! Do you maintain the Radical yourself? Or do you do arive & drive with a professional company?

What part of town do you live in?

For the most part I do all the work myself other than suspension set up. I live in Clearwater but I will soon have a workshop/raceshop/kartshop at the kart track. To be honest this is my second Radical and there isn't much to do other than bolt checks and oil. Depending on the engine size you should be able to go at least a full season on the engine and the pad and rotors will last forever. Do you want to race it? If so we are only one race into the season and we are all headed to AL for the second race late in March. Feel free to contact me with any questions. I am one of the first members of Chin Motorsports and do attend a few events a year when not racing.

Once you race it you will never care about doing track days again.

[pdisme]

Here's the track in-car vid for everyone:

http://www.capemotorsports.com/content/headquarters

I can't find much on the track but you're correct on the name Greg, Group Four Park is it; looks like it's private use during the week but kart on weekends? The brothers that own and run Cape Motorsports own the track too. Either way let me know when you're back, I'll meet you up there to check it out.

[pdisme]

By the way, in race one of the Radical Cup last month I had an off at the safety pin going for glory. Check it out on Youtube - search "Radical Cup Off". Enjoy

Dave, this is what happens when you brake deep, I mean real deep and then jump on the gas too early. Yep, I have Kung Fu hand speed. By the way that was a pass on the last lap of the race. Dam it!

LOL, here's the vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlIbWsQmVKU

I can't believe you came out of that so gracefully; guess you should have waited for 15 to try to sneak by. :)

[pdisme]

Greg, do you know if a standard SR3 can be converted to high downforce? Is it just a matter of getting the new front & rear diffusers/panels? If I could buy a used SR3 from Radical South and spend the $4k to convert it to high downforce, that could be the way to go.

[jrfootin]

Nice video.

I am very interested in Cape Motorsports; that is less than 1 hour from me. Can we rent their track for a day? Their web site is not so forthcoming about track rental, etc....

[Shuey2k]

Nice video.

I am very interested in Cape Motorsports; that is less than 1 hour from me. Can we rent their track for a day? Their web site is not so forthcoming about track rental, etc....

You sure can but I am not sure of the cost. I just rented a garage for my car and included is a membership which allows me full use of the track anytime. If during the weekdays all I have to pay for is an EMT at $100 per day. Not bad at all, great for breaking in new engines.

[Shuey2k]

Greg, do you know if a standard SR3 can be converted to high downforce? Is it just a matter of getting the new front & rear diffusers/panels? If I could buy a used SR3 from Radical South and spend the $4k to convert it to high downforce, that could be the way to go.

yes, you can convert to high df but it would cost closer to 10k. At Sebring it almost slows you down, Sebring is really a horsepower track.

[Mr. Vroom]

JR, keep us posted..... Next time you are at Sebring, I would like to swing over and check it out. Good luck and congrats.

[pdisme]

yes, you can convert to high df but it would cost closer to 10k. At Sebring it almost slows you down, Sebring is really a horsepower track.

$50k + $10k < $90k :grinning-smiley-003

[jrfootin]

You sure can but I am not sure of the cost. I just rented a garage for my car and included is a membership which allows me full use of the track anytime. If during the weekdays all I have to pay for is an EMT at $100 per day. Not bad at all, great for breaking in new engines.


I am free during the week. I would love to split the EMT fee with you if I can???

I will get back with you when I get the car in my hands. I'm excited now!!!! A place I can run the car! Can we get more poeple out there w/ us too???

[Mr. Vroom]

I heard that track was for sale(my brother in law is a realter, tried to sell it to me). Also heard that they were having zoning/noise issue problems. I talked to a driving instructor I know, and he told me it is a short track, you would be lucky to get out of third gear on the straits. Here is an overhead pic:

[pdisme]

Yeah, Greg told me it was pretty short too, best suited for karts but good for dialing in/practicing with radicals and other csr/dsr cars probably. Do you have an address on it? We could probably pull up a nice big image from Google satellite.

[Mr. Vroom]

Last time I checked, the google sat image was old, just showed the track under construction...

[Shuey2k]

It isn't a place that you would want to run a Radical at other than to break in an engine or bed brakes. It's just too short and the turns are too tight.

It might be for sale but I can tell you that they just received some investor money and they are installing timing and electric next month. They only have two garages left to be rented (not bad considering they have 30+ bays at $400 per month)

Track is perfect for karting - I just bought two new karts just to keep my skills sharp between races.

[pdisme]

Oh my, look what Santa dropped in my lap today. What do you all think about this?

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/showgallery.php/cat/519

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/519/medium/4.JPG

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/519/medium/7.JPG

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/519/medium/81.JPG


2006 SR3
Lightweight Carbon Fiber body option
1500cc Powertec engine (brand new, never run)
Fuel injection system & dry sump
Transmission oil cooler
Triple adjustable intrax shocks
Front Dive planes
Hi downforce front undertray
Hi downforce sidepods
Hi downforce rear undertray
Hi downforce dual element rear wing
Clear rear brake lights
2 extra sets of lightweight wheels (and another set of wheels on the car)
rain tires on one set (close to new) and two used street sets of rubber
Carbon kevlar front undertray
Upgraded high performance lightweight front calipers and rotors
Forward facing rollbar stays
Quick release steering wheel
Brake bias adjuster on dash
Safety fuel cell upgrade
Fire extinguisher
Stack Data steering wheel dash system with data acquisition, USB cable and track beacon



It's had some issues, engine blew and was replaced with a new one (blamed as defective by Radical and swapped out), had an off into a wall lightly in the first track outing but the damaged suspension components and body work have been replaced, had some issues with the front splitter which has been replaced by Radical, still some minor stress cracks of certain body pieces that you can see in the full gallery pics, etc. Suffice it to say, the owner has had enough of the car after the three or four horrible first hours he's had but if I'm to believe that all the issues have been sorted, according to the company maintaining it, it could be quite the machine... owner is supposedly motivated to sell it. Ugh, how do you know if you're getting fooled....


Forgot to mention, from the pics, obviously it's right hand drive. :( Any of you tried that?

[jrfootin]

How much can you steal this car for????

[pdisme]

I talked to Greg about it tonight and he confirmed that some of the problems with the original '06 models is on the up and up and that Radical replaced his as well when he busted it at Sebring; I think I can get the serial number on the new engine and verify it with Powertec in writing to ensure I'm getting a truly new zero hour 1500. Owner is asking $90k, between the options, all the extra wheels and tires, etc. it's a $120k car. More than i was looking to spend but obviously more car than I was expecting to get on the used market as well, if the repairs have been done properly. The right hand drive makes me nervous of course.

[jrfootin]

call that Doctor in CA about his yellow one. For th emoney & your 1st Radical, you can't go wrong!

[pdisme]

Just saw your emails, I'm going to definitely check that out tomorrow. And thanks!

[pdisme]

Just posted more pics that I got: http://www.talklambo.com/pics/showgallery.php/cat/519

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/519/medium/engine_bay-large.jpg

Three way adjustable shocks Greg, how you like that? :)

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/519/medium/rear_right_susp-large.jpg

and more...

[race911]

Wandered over here through Elisetalk, found your discussing Radicals. I own an '03 SR3 (#113), one of the first Radical West delivered. Let me know if there's anything I can help out with.

Ken

[pdisme]

Ken, thanks for joining and welcome! How's your Radical with regard to the electronics? I've heard that pre-'04 had some engine electronics issues?

We've got two Radical owners on the board so far and I've got leads on two, the one above that I've been talking about and jrfootin got me a lead on another out west. You can get a little run down above on the one I'm looking at closer to home, it's had some issues, if you have any thoughts, tips, things I should look at, etc. definitely share everything you have time to type, I'm all ears.

Is yours left or right hand drive? And hopefully it's right so I can ask you what it was like adjusting to that since the one above is right hand and I've never done that.

If you can think of any specific questions I should ask, photos I should ask for, etc. before I waste time going up to see it, that would be very helpful.

[pdisme]

Status update for you all; I'm trying to negotiate a price on the SR3 pictured above, we'll see what happens.

[race911]

Too late and tired to get into all the details right now. If you're in immediate need of some questions answered as you make a decision on that car I'm @ [edit].

Ken

[pdisme]

Too late and tired to get into all the details right now. If you're in immediate need of some questions answered as you make a decision on that car I'm @ [edit].

Ken

Thanks Ken, I'll give you a call later today; and I took your number out of there so you don't get any weirdos calling. :)

[pdisme]

Well, looks like I dropped the hammer on this deal for the car shown above; deposit went out overnight today and now we'll have four Radical owners on this forum. :icon_super:

Assuming the car is all sorted out from its initial issues, it's a deal I couldn't pass up for what is nearly brand new. The owner wanted more than I wanted to spend, I countered, we arrived at a number that everyone could agree on with the only change to the car being the removal of the Stack Data steering wheel system and data acquisition equipment; it's a multi-thousand dollar system that is great for people who actually race competitively but not something I need initially, plus I already have a $1000 Traqmate with Traqdata add-on 8-input acquisition system that I'll be using and everything the Stack gave you on the wheel Radical already gives you on the dash, it's just much nicer to have it on the wheel if you're racing so you don't have to turn your head at all.

The deal we arrived at was I go up to Atlanta Sunday night for Monday morning track time (pending track availability which I'll find out about tomorrow) and one of the drivers from the race team/support group who has possession of the car is going to take me out for some hot laps in the car. If everything feels in order, we'll conduct the sale and I'll continue with the driver as an instructor for the rest of the day including car tear down and cleanup at the end of the day, pack it up and drive it home. I've ridden in basically the same car thanks to Shuey2k on here so I know how this one should feel from a passenger's perspective and I can cancel the deal if anything doesn't feel right.

Pretty exciting stuff; I'll try to get some video of it all. :)

[jrfootin]

Way to go! on pulling the trigger on the Radical!!!

My car (Radical) got loaded up yesterday for the trip to Florida! That's the good news; the bad news is that I might be selling my Lambo 40th Anniversary car.

Got a guy coming tomorrow to look at it. If he buys it, looks like I got to either just stick to track days with the Radical or by another Lambo. Was maybe thinking about twin turbo Gallardo!!!???

Any thought?

[jrfootin]

We might need top start a Radical section on the board!!!!

[pdisme]

Damn, serious? Why you looking to sell the Murci?

If you replace it, just don't get a spyder, I like being the only one in town with one. :)

[pdisme]

We might need top start a Radical section on the board!!!!

I actually bought talkradical.com about a month ago when I realized there is no good forum for Radical drivers. :) But yeah, it's enough work keeping everything up to date on one forum, maybe adding a spot here at first would be better, I can always split them apart later if it starts getting busy.

[jrfootin]

I think it is time to get an e-gear car. The 2203 is not an e-gear.

And don't worry, I only want a coupe, not spyder.

I did like the sound of Mr. Vroom's exhaust @ Italifest, what kind of exhaust does he have???

I think if I get a "G" I will get that exhaust!

[pdisme]

Vroom's got the OC Lambo exhaust and cat delete:

http://www.talklambo.com/showthread.php?t=56

Yeah, that would be sweet to have an SE up here, haven't seen one of those yet either.

I'm sure we'll have lots to do with the Radicals regardless. :)

[Matt]

congrats Dave. pics are of course mandatory.

[Tofu]

Well, looks like I dropped the hammer on this deal for the car shown above; deposit went out overnight today and now we'll have four Radical owners on this forum. :icon_super:



Congrats Dave, pics and videos are a must.:headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

[Mr. Vroom]

Congrats Dave, good luck with the Radical.

[Mr. Vroom]

. Was maybe thinking about twin turbo Gallardo!!!???

Any thought?

I test drove the Heffner tt G, spent an hour in it. Fastest car I have ever been in. Deep, bottomless tt power, very smooth seamless installation. The chassis is strong enough to handle the increased power too. Very impressive machine.

[pdisme]

jrfootin, if you did the TT mod, keep in mind that Wayne said you'll go through the stock e-gear clutch pretty quick, so you'll have that $6k or so to deal with to get the sintered clutch plus the $50k for the TT conversion. I'd love to get a ride in it if you do that though. :)

[zzzzdoc]

Well, looks like I dropped the hammer on this deal for the car shown above; deposit went out overnight today and now we'll have four Radical owners on this forum. :icon_super: :)
Congratulations.

I call shotgun.

[zzzzdoc]

Boy, doubles.

I guess I really meant it.

[pdisme]

As soon as I get my solo qualification, you're welcome to come down and do laps with me whenever I go, it's a blast and such an intense experience. I'm hoping I'll get provisional solo after the April event, I'll have had five days at Sebring at that point, just have to make sure I don't screw up my clutch work.

[pdisme]

Update, couldn't get the track time set up for Monday but got a better opportunity for next Sunday, the 11th. I'll go up to GA Saturday then I've got six hours at Little Talladega http://www.tgprace.com/ booked. Even better is it looks like I won't even have to deal with getting the car home; the guys I'm buying it from are competing at Sebring the next weekend and are passing by Tampa on the way to Sebring on the 12th so they're willing to drop the car off since I only live a mile off the interstate.

[jrfootin]

jrfootin, if you did the TT mod, keep in mind that Wayne said you'll go through the stock e-gear clutch pretty quick, so you'll have that $6k or so to deal with to get the sintered clutch plus the $50k for the TT conversion. I'd love to get a ride in it if you do that though. :)


I might go down & test drive one like Mr. Vroom did. I will be happy to give you a drive if I get one. Thanks for the heads up on the clutch!

[jrfootin]

Update, couldn't get the track time set up for Monday but got a better opportunity for next Sunday, the 11th. I'll go up to GA Saturday then I've got six hours at Little Talladega http://www.tgprace.com/ booked. Even better is it looks like I won't even have to deal with getting the car home; the guys I'm buying it from are competing at Sebring the next weekend and are passing by Tampa on the way to Sebring on the 12th so they're willing to drop the car off since I only live a mile off the interstate.


I heard that Little Talladega is a real short tight course, sort of like that track in Palmetto.

[pdisme]

I heard that Little Talladega is a real short tight course, sort of like that track in Palmetto.

Yep, it was originally designed for motorcycle racing so it's not ever used for door to door but it's used often for HPDE events:

http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Talladega_Gran_Prix_Raceway

Should be great for a Radical with high downforce though. :)

[Matt]

Dave, i want a ride in that radical man! If it means driving to seabring for it, so be it. looks like a fun ride.

[pdisme]

I think jrfootin is probably closer to being solo qualified than me, if he's not already, but once I get it sure thing, anyone who wants a ride. Hopefully I can get my solo after a few more track days.

[Matt]

Bitchin' what are the requirements for the solo qualifications? like demonstrating basic understanding of safety and knowing when to throw out the anchor and such?

[jrfootin]

I think jrfootin is probably closer to being solo qualified than me, if he's not already, but once I get it sure thing, anyone who wants a ride. Hopefully I can get my solo after a few more track days.



Yes, I am solo qualified with Chin already.

I will be happy to take any talklambo member for a ride. Just find me @ the track & mention you say this post!

Dave, I thin kmy trailer will hold 2 Radicals; maybe we can trailer them together to track events??? What is the length of a Radical?

[pdisme]

Wow, you must have a motorhome-sized trailer to fit two in there. :) The SR3 is 4190 mm which means 13.7 ft long:

http://www.radicalextremesportscars.com/images/sr3outline.jpg


Oh, how much time did you need to get solo, or had you already driven tracks before?

[jrfootin]

The 1st time I went out w/ an instructor to get certified, he passed me after about 20 laps. I have some track experience years ago! Been driving lambos, ferrari's, open wheel indy cars, stock cars, etc.....

I did not think the car was that long; guess 2 won't fit; sorry!!

[pdisme]

That's cool, maybe if I do well in April they'll pass me.

[jrfootin]

Dave,

Is your Radical a wet sump or dry sump?

[pdisme]

Dry sump, fuel injection and transmission cooler but without the front-mount radiator relocate option. Greg told me that he doesn't think that will be an issue since we won't be running enduros in the 110+ temps out west; he has run enduro races in the southeast in his, and it does have the front radiator option, but he's never had any issues with heat so we'll see how it goes I guess.

So, do you have a HANS setup on yours? Looks like those things are pretty expensive?

[pdisme]

Bitchin' what are the requirements for the solo qualifications? like demonstrating basic understanding of safety and knowing when to throw out the anchor and such?

Here's the groups:

http://www.chinmotorsports.com/faq/events/events.asp

[Shuey2k]

Actually when we had the wet vs dry sump discussion the car you were looking at had a wet set up which is fine for 30 min races but your new car has a dry sump which is the upgrade and is perfect for anything you want to do. It will hold 6L of oil so it doesn't suffer from breakdown nor will the lat G's cause you any issues. Congrats!

[pdisme]

Actually when we had the wet vs dry sump discussion the car you were looking at had a wet set up which is fine for 30 min races but your new car has a dry sump which is the upgrade and is perfect for anything you want to do. It will hold 6L of oil so it doesn't suffer from breakdown nor will the lat G's cause you any issues. Congrats!

Don't congratulate me yet, you're the one who gets to teach me how to drive it. :)

[Shuey2k]

Don't congratulate me yet, you're the one who gets to teach me how to drive it. :)


No problem - feel free to give me a call if you want some info on the suits, gloves etc..

[jrfootin]

just got a call from my transport driver delivering my Radical, he was crossing into Mississippi & should be here Monday evening!!!!!!

I'm sooooooo excited, I feel like I did 20 years ago trying to go to sleep the night before the first day of school.

[pdisme]

That's awesome, I can't wait to see the pics, and see the Radical. Only thing that sucks is you can't just go driving it around when it gets to your house. :lol2:

[jrfootin]

you bet I am. I live in a very rual area; should be fun.

[Mr. Vroom]

Video!!!!

[Shuey2k]

True story that I am not too proud of - ah, take that back yes I am. When I had to break in the engine of my first Radical I took it behind the Raymond James building in Clearwater - you know the one accross the street from Cars and Coffee and ran it on public roads for 15 mins from 30 to 100 several times. Got some strange looks but I had to do it before getting to the track.

[zzzzdoc]

I took Lambo Larry on those roads in my Murci one day after Cars and Coffee. Not sure if he's still speaking with me. He was much more sedate driving his Countach.

[pdisme]

I've got an embarrassing story about those roads too, since it requires me admitting I drove one of the first year Porsche Boxsters with its huge 200 HP or whatever. :) I took my Boxster back there and was cruising all around with a friend thinking I was Mario Andretti since I had a Porsche, but I had no clue how to drive, so ultimately I took an S-curve too fast and spun the car right off into the grass, nearly into the lake. :lol2: I was very lucky both that that area has banked curbs so the car didn't destroy the wheels and suspension or flip over and two, that I didn't end up in the water. Fun times.

[pdisme]

J, not sure if your SR3 came with passenger belts but I just ordered a nice Sparco 6-point from http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com They've got them in stock in the HANS-style where the belts are 3" except from the adjuster back on the shoulder belts where they're 2" to accommodate HANS devices. They're shipping direct to the race guys who will install it for me before I get there.

[pdisme]

Greg, I was talking to the seller today about whether we need to break the engine in at the track before starting to get on it because it's supposed to be brand new and he was saying 1500's come broken in from Powertec now; does that sound accurate? Think I could call them and get more info? Seemed kind of odd, I can't see them running every engine through break-in before shipping it unless break-in takes a lot less time than I had imagined?

[jrfootin]

I got my Radical today!!!!

I will post more pictures later!

[pdisme]

I got my Radical today!!!!

I will post more pictures later!

Congrats, that is so awesome, too bad the Murci had to move out right after it got in. :) Got any pics of the inside, covers off, etc.? Beautiful car, I can't wait until we're at the track.

[jrfootin]

I will be taking pictures with the cover off tomorrow; I will post a full write up tomorrow!

[pdisme]

Man I'm dying for the pics. :)

J, I'm talking to the biz partner about seeing if I can be out of town the weekend of the 24th; if everything is cool, and the car is good (will know Sunday) I'm going to take the Radical up to Barber in Alabama (9.5 hour drive) to drive with PBOC. Greg will have his there for racing but they have a good deal on HPDE classes, $400 for the weekend including instructor and what looks like about 2.5 hours driving time Saturday, 3.5 Sunday. I know it overlaps with Festival's of Speed but since your Murci is gone I figured you wouldn't have as much incentive to go. :)

[Shuey2k]

Greg, I was talking to the seller today about whether we need to break the engine in at the track before starting to get on it because it's supposed to be brand new and he was saying 1500's come broken in from Powertec now; does that sound accurate? Think I could call them and get more info? Seemed kind of odd, I can't see them running every engine through break-in before shipping it unless break-in takes a lot less time than I had imagined?


He is correct, they break them in on an engine dyno before the install. You should be able to get in an drive. The only reason I had to do it with my car was I had the engine built in CA and installed in FL. Long story

[Mr. Vroom]

Congrats jrfootin! She looks like a beast, great paint too!

[jrfootin]

Man I'm dying for the pics. :)

J, I'm talking to the biz partner about seeing if I can be out of town the weekend of the 24th; if everything is cool, and the car is good (will know Sunday) I'm going to take the Radical up to Barber in Alabama (9.5 hour drive) to drive with PBOC. Greg will have his there for racing but they have a good deal on HPDE classes, $400 for the weekend including instructor and what looks like about 2.5 hours driving time Saturday, 3.5 Sunday. I know it overlaps with Festival's of Speed but since your Murci is gone I figured you wouldn't have as much incentive to go. :)



When I e-mail Joe to give him th ebas news about my Murci being sold & it won't be able to be @ Festival of Speed, he jumped at the chance to get my Radical @ the show. Sooooooo, I wil be bringing the Radical to the show.

You have fun @ Barber.

All 3 of us need to rent a track for the day & have a Radical day somewhere!!!!

[pdisme]

Does your car already have the passenger harness? If not, I found a good deal on a Sparco 6-point cam lock at http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com And if you plan on taking passengers, I found a good price on Chatterbox intercoms (not wireless) from http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=17986&Category_Code= Speedware shipped the harness direct to the place with my car so it will be ready Sunday, I can't wait.

[jrfootin]

Does your car already have the passenger harness? If not, I found a good deal on a Sparco 6-point cam lock at http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com And if you plan on taking passengers, I found a good price on Chatterbox intercoms (not wireless) from http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=17986&Category_Code= Speedware shipped the harness direct to the place with my car so it will be ready Sunday, I can't wait.


Yes, my car has the Sparco racing harness for both passanger & driver.

I might have to look into that chatterbox communication set.

Have fun Sunday, I expect a full write up with puctures & video!!!

[pdisme]

You better believe it. I'm going to have the chasecam running, and the traqmate, so we'll get a bunch of lap video with data from my instructor driving and then me. :lol2: I got the chatterbox in today, I have to wire the headset into my helmet and then we're good to go.

[zzzzdoc]

damn, I'm jealous guys. That Radical is gorgeous

Cant wait to see it. Unfortunately, I'll be in Vegas during the festival of speed.