Radical News - 2008 - 09 January 2008

Radical Launch New SR8 Supersport
Radical Launch New SR8 Supersport
In striving to produce ever-faster and safer sports racers, Radical has given birth to one of the best looking race cars of the modern era.

The new SR8 Supersport launched at Autosport International this week looks magnificent in its red and yellow livery reflecting the design of its sister, the SR9 Le Mans prototype, which was voted ‘Best Looking Sports Prototype’ at Le Mans in 2006.

An upgraded SR8 chassis and crash box resides beneath all-new bodywork and an upgraded aero pack which combine to increase downforce, reduce drag and improve cooling.

With 380bhp on tap from the phase 3 Powertec RPA V8, this awesome machine drives through a Powertec Ptec six-speed transaxle which has been designed in-house to operate with the Powertec PS1 paddle-operated pneumatic shift  system with auto-blipper.

The SR8’s blistering performance is matched by its driver-friendly handling characteristics and confidence-inspiring, finger-tip gear selection. Now in its fourth year of production the SR8 is not only the fastest club level sports prototype available (when fitted with the 455bhp Powertec RPB engine) it is also safe, reliable and great value for money.

Prices start at £59,000 + VAT ready to race and with trade-in values the best in the market, the cost of ownership of an SR8 has never been so good.

Two new Radical SR3’s ready to be flown out to China.
 Two new Radical SR3’s ready to be flown out to China.
Radical China Launch
The Zhuhai International Circuit in China is the location for Radical China’s official launch on 25th January 2008. Three SR3’s will be in attendance, with 2006 Radical Enduro Champion, Nigel Redwood attending the event to give hot-laps to the assembled journalists.

Paul Ip of Radical China plans to have fifteen cars on the grid by the end of the year, leading to a Radical China Cup Series in 2009.

Radical Racers to compete at Le Mans.
The new televised Radical European Masters Series is supporting the Le Mans Series at Barcelona, Monza, Spa, Nürburgring and Silverstone GP.

Discussions with the German Touring Car Organisation are also well advanced to add a round at the Le Mans Bugatti Circuit.

Radical co-founder, Mick Hyde commented, “A Radical series which visits all the best circuits in Europe with a finale at Le Mans provides our customers with the ultimate racing experience, at a fraction of the expense of the Le Mans Series itself

US News in brief - Radical US competitors race at top circuits
Radical SR9 heading down the Corkscrew at Laguna
Radical SR9 heading down
The Corkscrew at Laguna Seca
The delights of ‘the Corkscrew’ await Radical racers on the West Coast of the USA as the Radical Cup West race series heads for Laguna Seca in February, while racers on the East Coast are adding the steep banking at Daytona to their Radical Cup East racing schedule this year.

And with a new distributor recently appointed in Houston, it shouldn’t be long before a Radical Cup South race series will include the Texas World Speedway!

Best of British
‘The best racing in Britain’ is Radical’s bold claim for the new British Radical Cup. And with a calendar which includes Donington Park, Castle Combe, Silverstone GP and Spa Francorchamps who can disagree?

This fully televised series runs six rounds with Dunlop‘s “Great & British” package and two in support of the Le Mans Series.

Races are 2×50 minutes in duration with all Radical models eligible, as are single- or two-driver teams.

Radical looks to its Clubman roots
The new Radical Clubman Cup is aimed specifically at the ‘Gentleman Driver’ and drivers who are new to racing. Any of the Radical superbike-powered cars are eligible for this 2 x 20 minute sprint series, which is run during the Dunlop “Great & British” events at six top UK circuits. The twelve-race calendar does not clash with the European Masters events, allowing drivers to ‘dip their toe’ into the European racing scene.

Zia wins in 2003
Desert storm hits British Radical Cup
Radical welcomes the return of genial racer Ziad El Akabi from Basra. Ziad will be driving an SR8 in the British Radical Cup as a form of relaxation following his business trips to Iraq. Ziad was a Radical Enduro winner in his works-run Prosport in 2003.



Radical Clubmans Cup a success
The Radical Clubman Cup, for all superbike-engine powered Radical models, has struck a chord with competitors. Registrations are at their highest ever for this time of year. Contact Amanda Abbott at amanda@radicalsportscars.com , 01733 331717 ext 201 for full details.

Radical gets more hospitable
Professional catering and a double-deck hospitality unit will raise the standards of the British Radical Cup/Radical Clubman Cup hospitality in 2008. The top-deck of the unit will be available for Private Hire at each of the six “Great & British” events giving sponsors/guests a dedicated area to view the racing from within the paddock area.

Top fuel sponsor
Sunoco is to sponsor ‘Driver of the Day’ trophies for the British Radical Cup competitors and are to award free fuel and trophies to the Driver of the Day in the Radical Clubman Cup.

Sunoco boss Anders Hildebrand confirmed “We are extremely pleased to be involved with Radical’s new championships and applaud their initiative to get new drivers into Radicals via the Radical Clubmans Cup.”

New faces
Father and son, novice drivers, Richard and Stephen Lindsey are set to debut in the Radical Clubman’s Cup both driving SR4‘s. Championship Co-ordinator, Amanda Abbott welcomed the two saying “Richard and Stephen are just the type of driver we are looking to attract into Radical racing.”

SR8 return
Derek Johnston returns in his SR8 for 2008
Derek Johnston will compete in the British Radical Cup determined to go even better than in 2007. An ‘off’ at Thruxton last year brought his Radical Enduro title challenge to a premature end.

The New SR5 Supersport to compete in V de V
Ex-Radical and GT star, Shaun Balfe will partner ex-Caterham racers Nigel Taylor and Dominic Jackson in a new SR5 in the European V de V Endurance Series.

Although Shaun admits to being ‘blown away’ by the incredible calendar for the Radical European Masters Series, he said “Mick has done a first class job in putting together all of my ‘wish list’ circuits into one championship”.

Shaun Balfe‘s SR5 will be the first ‘new look’ SR5. The car is set to run in the same Radical red livery as the show car on the Dunlop “Great & British” stand.

Ben & Michael Jackson move up to SR8
Father and Son move up to SR8
After a successful second season in their Dent Wizard sponsored SR3, the father and son team of Michael and Ben Jackson are set to move into SR8 class of the British Radical Cup in 2008.





Everyone’s a winner
The pit stop duration varies from class to class in the Radical European Masters Series and the British Radical Cup, this allows class winners an equal chance of crossing the line first. Championship co-ordinator, Amanda Abbott elaborates, “We will set the pit stop length based on previous lap times, which will give everyone an equal chance and should result in some nailbiting finishes!”

Double PR6 attack
Jamie & Don Patterson's PR6's
Irish brothers Jamie and Don Patterson will be taking delivery of a PR6 each. Jamie will compete in the British Radical Cup and Don will compete in the Radical Clubman Cup. Both cars are powered by Powertec 1500 motors with the Powertec PS1 paddleshift/autoblipper system.



Enduro Champs for European Masters
2007 Enduro Champions Richard Ince and Austin Kinsella are planning to campaign their Tranzpower-run SR8 in the new Radical European Masters Series. Both drivers are looking forward to the new challenge of driving at Europe’s top circuits.

Helen Ray returns in Hardinge-Sponsored SR3
Helen in Hardinge-Sponsored SR3
Following on from her success in 2007 with co-driver Nigel Greensall, former Formula Woman driver, Helen Ray is set to compete in the British Radical Cup in her Hardinge-backed SR3.

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