The Radical Eco Project targets Le Mans in 2009 – as it heads for Sebring - 05 March 2008

Ian Dawson and Simon Wright with driver Harry Toivonen
Ian Dawson and Simon Wright with driver Harry Toivonen
Late December, and pioneering race engineer Ian Dawson, businessman Simon Wright and Radical Sportscars agree to start the “Eco Project”.

Today, eight weeks later, at a cold and windy Snetterton, the SR10 shake-down took place hours before the car was flown to Sebring in Florida, to attempt the hardest sportscar race in the US – The 12 Hours of Sebring.

To undertake such an arduous race with so little preparation would be difficult for an established works team, let alone a two-month-old consortium.  Simon Wright explains, “Our plan is to race at Le Mans in 2009 with a pair of production-based V10 bio-diesel-powered Radicals!  We intend to prove our credentials by competing in the American Le Mans Series, and the sooner we start, the better!”

 
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Ian Dawson and Simon Wright with driver Harry Toivonen
Radical SR10
  • Ian Dawson and Simon Wright with driver Harry Toivonen
    Ian Dawson and Simon Wright with driver Harry Toivonen
  • SR10 turns a wheel for the first time
    SR10 turns a wheel for the first time
  • Simon Wright debates Le Mans with Calum Lockie of Gold Track
    Simon Wright debates Le Mans with Calum Lockie of Gold Track
  • No overtaking in the corners, number 31!
    No overtaking in the corners, number 31!
  • Radical co-founder Mick Hyde relaxes while Eco Racing team graft
    Radical co-founder Mick Hyde relaxes while Eco Racing team graft
  • 98db, that's fine sir
    98db, that's fine sir
  • Eco Project's green credentials as the car passes the track day noise test
    Eco Project's green credentials as the car passes the track day noise test
  • Simon Wright, readying himself for his turn at the wheel
    Simon Wright, readying himself for his turn at the wheel

Ian Dawson and Simon Wright with driver Harry Toivonen
 
 

Ian Dawson confirmed, “Eco Racing has climbed a mountain in the last eight weeks and we have another to climb at Sebring before we can run.”

In 2004 Ian raced the first ever bio-diesel sportscar at Le Mans, two years ahead of Audi’s diesel racer, and three years ahead of Peugeot.  One of the drivers in 2004 line-up was Calum Lockie, and by coincidence it was Calum who allowed Eco Racing the chance to shake-down the SR10 at Snetterton.  Calum, with his girlfriend, Melindi, were running one of their highly-successful ‘Gold Track’ trackdays at Snetterton circuit, and graciously allowed Eco Racing the opportunity to do a couple of installation laps.

To take on the sportscar establishment, with an eco-friendly Radical is going to be a long and arduous road!

Visit www.RadicalSportscars.com/ecoproject to follow every twist & turn.

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