Have found some information on the running costs for an SR3 but nothing on the SR8. Can anyone give specifics on, tire life/cost, brakes life/cost, drive train maintenance etc? Standard consumables and anything else that stands out.
I'm thinking about moving from SRF3 and it looks like an SR3 would take me to the next level performance wise for about the same cost. I'll probably race the car a few times a year but most of the time will be spent at track events with NASA, PCA and the like doing time attack or something similar. Part of the reason for making the move is to step back from the time/money commitment of racing all the time so I'm about 80% sold on the SR3 but the extra performance of the SR8 is hard to ignore.
Welcome to the Radical Forum! You will find that both the SR3 and the SR8 are a big jump in performance from the SRF3. Both are great cars and are excellent performance values. Consumable costs between the SR3 and the SR8 are fairly similar with the SR8 going through brakes and tires a bit quicker. Where the big difference comes in is the overhaul cost and support costs. The cost of engine overhauls is a bit more that twice as much as the SR3, so you can expect a typical engine overhaul to be in the ~$20K+ range every 40 hours. Also the transmission overhaul cost is typically in the $1ok range (vs. ~$1,200 for the Quaife in the SR3). Another thing to consider is that the SR8 engines are typically sent back to Radical in the UK for overhaul which adds a bit of cost / time compared to the SR3 engines that can be overhauled locally (if you are in the UK this isn't an issue, but since you mentioned running with NASA I assume you are in the US) . Also, it is worth looking through the owners manuals for both cars in the "Resource Library" to compare the operating requirements for each car. The preparation for the SR8 is more involved than the SR3.
Hopefully some of the SR8 owners will add to the conversation.
Charley
If cost is a factor, in my opinion, get a SR3. The added cost of gearbox and engine service wouldn’t equal the added performance of the SR8. I understand alternators can be an issue. All of this is 2nd hand information, so take it for what it’s worth. The SR3 can be easily the fastest car at a NASA event.
I have the baby SR1, and there are not many cars quicker then mine at a local event.
I think nasa equalizes cars through a power to weight ratio and factors. So you might not see the sr8 advantage if the 3 and 8 end up in same class. In SCCA I’m not sure there is a place for the 8. The 3 is classed in p2.
I don’t know about the way sports racers and open wheel cars are raced. Race with more care I hope. With doorslammers it is a blood bath. Lots of contact. So another question might be what does a radical front clip cost to replace and how long does it take to get one?
I can add in that a new set of harnesses, which are good for four years, run US$1,500 a pair.
I guess this would be a cost that all the Radical models share.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW-What a Ride!'"
Richard,
I sourced a set of harnesses from Schroth via HMS Motorsports for considerably less than that. Schroth is the OEM for Radical's harness, so the only difference is the name sewn on the label.
https://www.hmsmotorsport.com/products/Flexi
I'll add this information to the new "Alternate suppliers" forum.
Richard,
I sourced a set of harnesses from Schroth via HMS Motorsports for considerably less than that. Schroth is the OEM for Radical's harness, so the only difference is the name sewn on the label.
https://www.hmsmotorsport.com/products/Flexi
I'll add this information to the new "Alternate suppliers" forum.
Well poop. My new pair of harnesses are sitting in the car. I picked them up from Spring Mountain (so I knew I was going to get dinged a tad).
I'm afraid to look at that link and realize just how much I've burned my wallet.
I looked....
ouch.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW-What a Ride!'"
Spring Mountain pricing on a few parts (it was an expensive off/weekend).
Not necessarily wear items but prices (US$), none the less:
Black Side Pod - SR8 - LH $2,305.55
LH SIDE SKIRT $401.00
RH SIDE SKIRT $401.00
SR8 - L/H 700mm Radiator $1,169.53
OIL COOLER SR8 D3 $359.89
REAR DIFFUSER $898.90
REAR DIFFUSER VANE 2@ $47.55 ea - $95.10
18/58-15 Pilot Sport GT S9L (Front) 2@ $296.00 - $592.00
23/61-16 Pilot Sport Gt S9L (Rear) 2@ $332.00 - $664.00
Main Carbon Wing Bracket 2@30.71 - $61.42
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW-What a Ride!'"
Ouch... that was an expensive off. What happened?
Why are you going with a black side pod? Will it take too long to get a blue one?
Charley
Ouch... that was an expensive off. What happened?
Why are you going with a black side pod? Will it take too long to get a blue one?
Charley
I threw it away on my opening lap, being what I thought was very careful with cold slicks.
The little rise out of the bowl corner on the Andretti course caught me complete off guard and it looks like I wasn't square to it. The car snapped clockwise and off I went with the front end pointing 90 degrees to my travels. Had enough speed to go up and over the berm and a few creosote trees and took out the pod and radiators with all the big rocks.
They only had black in stock. I'd been planning on a new color scheme anyhow so... (crap, crap, crap)
The guys at Spring Mountain absolutely busted butt to get me back on the track by lunch on Saturday. Can't thank them enough.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW-What a Ride!'"
Sorry to hear about that. It is amazing how hard the guys at Spring Mountain work to get cars back on track. The can really work some magic. I have been surprised on cold tires also. One cold morning at Willow Springs when I came over the crest of turn 4 on my warm up lap I spun around. I thought I was driving rally slow, but cool mornings can be like ice before the tires are warm.
Charley
