Hi all,
I've been tracking a GT3 and M3 over the past few years and decided to go with a track focused lighter vehicle. I just bought the SR3 and will be taking it to the track (I go to Spring Mountain Motor Resorts near Las Vegas, NV).
The track has pretty good support for the SR3 and will be able to service it if needed. I'm planning to get track support for the first few times I'm there. I don't even know how to start the SR3 LOL.
I've never driven a track car without traction control or ABS. Heck I've always used automatic and never bothered to switch the gears myself in the GT3 and M3 too.
I'm obviously a complete newbie when it comes to the SR3, so I was wondering if there are any advice from you guys.
Anything would be greatly appreciated!
G’day Peter. Congrats on the SR3 purchase - hopefully it will be a great new platform to deliver a completely different experience to what the GT3 and M3 will have given. I made the switch to Radicals from a GT3 Cup car and a fast (500+hp) VW Golf R hillclimb car… but my real passion has always been sprint karts.
The Radical has’t disappointed and to be honest feels more like a big/fast kart than a step up from the GT3 and Golf R. I had no issue getting used to the much stiffer/less compliant platform, the aero and cornering speeds and the massive braking performance compared to other cars I’ve driven.
The SR3’s seem relatively easy to transition into, and don’t have any nasty traits where they feel like they want to hurl you not the scenery at every turn. You can ‘build up’ your confidence and corner speed, etc as the chassis has enough mechanical grip to perform at a fairly high level without needing to exploit every % of aero performance. That meant for me that I pretty quickly (on the first day I used my RSX) got my lap times to about 105% of what has ultimately been my best lap times at my local track… and that was on 4 year old tyres (although they were in pretty good condition)
Having someone with you that has experience with SR3’s, on the first few days you use the car will make an enormous difference. I didn’t have that luxury as I had the only SR3 in Tasmania at that stage that was being used (there was an older car here but it was ‘garaged’ at that time). Nevertheless, I had done a lot of reading/learning here on the Forum and had talked to a few people who have since become friends in the Radical community. It was a steep learning curve… and I learned a lot quickly… but the rewards were worth it.
I haven’t ever gone to the track without at least one other person to help as it’s hard to service the car on your own - lifting the bodywork off the later model SR3’s - RSX and later, isn’t as easy as the older cars with the rear wing and bodywork in one piece. It’s not hard/heavy… just clumsy.
The only other advice I would give at the outset is to get a good race seat fitted. Having a custom foam insert made (2 part foam or the ‘beaded’ seat type) makes an enormous difference to how ‘connected’ your arse feels to the chassis… and that’s important when you are trying to build a feel for the car and push the limits.
I hope this helps a little and you enjoy your new car!
Rod
@rjbender Great advice, thank you! I ended up using track support and it worked well, they adjusted the seat and the pedals and headrest to my liking and taught me the basics like how the car up and stuff. I plan on using them for the first few times before I get comfortable knowing what to do. I'm also planning on getting a coach for my next session this saturday, I don't want to develop any bad habits that are hard to get rid of. Do you recommend the molded seat to be done by the track ($3k), or get a custom one from Racetech for $312 and installing it myself? Does it make a huge difference?
@solarium G’day Peter,
Glad to hear your first day in the car went well. You must now have a much better idea yourself of what the Radical’s potential is… they are a pretty good thing really.
I’m maybe not the best to answer your question about getting a seat made. I’m sure there will be other people here who will chime in and give you some advice on their suggestions based on what’s available in the US where you will have a lot more options to chose from. If there was someone making the ‘beaded seats’ where I live then I would love to get on of those made…
I live in Tasmania (Australia) and we don’t have anyone here who runs a business making the seat inserts. I have had three made for my two cars. One was made when I purchased the new XX back in 2023 by the dealer in Western Australia when I picked up my car before I shipped it home to Tassie (4,000 km’s). The other two have been done by me and a couple of friends here in my garage. It will definitely pay to have someone involved who has done more than a few as it can be pretty tricky to get right. If the two part foam process is used you definitely don’t want to spill any of it into or onto the car (or you) It is nearly impossible to get off… There are some pretty good videos of the different seat types available on YouTube if you take a look.
@solarium Welcome! Get a spare starter. You’ll someday remember this post! 😎
@solarium Very good option. It should prevent any starter damage if it is properly adjusted and working as advertised.
sounds like you’re having a good time with your new car. 👍 Good for you!
p.s. I’ll still recommend a spare starter, even a used serviceable one.
@solarium Very good option. It should prevent any starter damage if it is properly adjusted and working as advertised.
sounds like you’re having a good time with your new car. 👍 Good for you!p.s. I’ll still recommend a spare starter, even a used serviceable one.
Thanks, sounds good.
I'm also debating whether to switch from my Hankook slicks to something more durable like Nankang AR1 or CRS. My coach was telling me that since they drive very differently it's better to stick with the Hankook slicks. Our track also races with Michelin slicks instead of hankook slicks, but they tell me that they have to swap out the front springs and both front and rear Nik bars in order to accommodate the Michelins. What do you think?
