Hi All,
I am an open wheel guy with over 10 years in Formula Mazdas but decided to try my hand at a prototype. I know CharleyH from Rennlist where I am a long time contributor. His enthusiasm for the brand is well known to me.
I was driving at MMC when a pair of well driven SR3XXR came up on me (Jack Yang and Bobby something - both Radical Cup drivers). Later in the day I lost my truck key. As it turns out I left it on the wing of my FM and it fell off on an access road. Jack found my key which later on led to a conversation about Radicals over a drink. He put me in touch with Jonathan at Group A. I bought their demo car which has about 8 hours on it. In fact it is in the video at Thunderbolt where he recently set a track record.
So, if you are thinking about a new race car, simply lose your keys and let fate do the rest.
My wife and I both drive the FMs and we are so excited to get into the Radical. We are heading to Group A in a few weeks for a seat fitting and to take the car home so I can 'explore' it over the winter. These days we mainly drive at MMC, VIR and WGI.
My two biggest concerns with the Radical are:
1) Not clutching in time in a spin to avoid the starter munching thing I've read about
2) Learning to work on the car. I'm very proficient with our FMs including rebuilding the gearbox 1-2x/year.
What are the maintenance items I need to learn? Are there write-ups on the following items?
- Oil change
- Gearbox fluid
- GDU Service
- Fuel filter
- Brakes - I'm assuming these are like most other cars
- Nut and Bolt post session - what tends to loosen up on these cars
I'm looking forward to getting to know peeps here!
Here are some sale pics of my car:
Welcome! Jonathan is good peoples and will be great to work with!
Where are you located? I'm in North NJ and picked up an older SR3 that I do the work on myself (former F-car, BMW, and USF2000 mechanic).
Your car will have a rekluse clutch in it, so no need to worry about the starter engaging as in theory the motor should disengage from the output via the rekluse clutch if you spin it - with no input from your left foot.
These cars come with a decent owner's manual listing recommended fluid changes; This is from my car's (an RS) manual:
As far as doing the changes, the only 'write-ups' I have found have been whatever is posted on this forum. For anything else I just knuckle up and do what is needed to to get the job done.
@pmak26, I don't believe the rekluse "Spin Safe" clutch is available for the XXR cars. It is my understanding that they don't make a Spin safe for the new engines.
@coochas, with your level of experience you likely won't have an issue not having a Spin safe clutch. As soon as you feel the car start to spin get your clutch foot to the floor and all will be well. 🙂 The Radical community is really a great bunch of people and I am sure you will fit in really well.
Welcome to this wonderful group and fantastic cars,
I bought my 2014 SR3 from the Eastern Canada dealer 2years ago, and it's been all smiles and grins ever since.
I had very similar concerns to yours, going in and immediately considered the Spinsafe clutch but never got around to it and after a half dozen spins around Road Atlanta, AMP and Barber, nothing's broken or needed replacement or repair. Most of the spins were on cold tires and if I may provide a couple of pieces of advice, it would be:
1. Always give yourself a couple of laps to really build up temperature in the tires before you start leaning on them
2. Trust the aero package which was the most difficult for me, coming from vintage racing various British cars, which are all as aerodynamically efficient as Buckingham Palace!
I run the car in track days only and the car has been fantastically easy on tires (on my second set after a year and a half) and generally very economical to run as I do my own maintenance.
And as a bonus, I get to take friends and family along for a few laps and share my passion for this new toy.
Have fun!
@pmak26, I don't believe the rekluse "Spin Safe" clutch is available for the XXR cars. It is my understanding that they don't make a Spin safe for the new engines.
@coochas, with your level of experience you likely won't have an issue not having a Spin safe clutch. As soon as you feel the car start to spin get your clutch foot to the floor and all will be well. 🙂 The Radical community is really a great bunch of people and I am sure you will fit in really well.
Thank you Charley. I've been moving 3 pedals for decades. I'll probably have more trouble just adapting to paddle shifters!
Welcome to this wonderful group and fantastic cars,
I bought my 2014 SR3 from the Eastern Canada dealer 2years ago, and it's been all smiles and grins ever since.
I had very similar concerns to yours, going in and immediately considered the Spinsafe clutch but never got around to it and after a half dozen spins around Road Atlanta, AMP and Barber, nothing's broken or needed replacement or repair. Most of the spins were on cold tires and if I may provide a couple of pieces of advice, it would be:
1. Always give yourself a couple of laps to really build up temperature in the tires before you start leaning on them
2. Trust the aero package which was the most difficult for me, coming from vintage racing various British cars, which are all as aerodynamically efficient as Buckingham Palace!
I run the car in track days only and the car has been fantastically easy on tires (on my second set after a year and a half) and generally very economical to run as I do my own maintenance.
And as a bonus, I get to take friends and family along for a few laps and share my passion for this new toy.
Have fun!
Thank you Chris. I do have aero on our formula cars which is evident at some of the higher speed corners like S Bend at VIR and the carousel at WG. I've always heard (perhaps anecdotally) that most aero starts to work around 70 mph.
I'm really excited to get going in the car but will likely have to wait until March as my wife and I no longer chase the Southern sun in the 'off' season.
Ah I thought all of the modern cars have some version of a "spin safe" clutch. I guess not then, bummer.
Ah I thought all of the modern cars have some version of a "spin safe" clutch. I guess not then, bummer.
Mine has the "new XXR clutch pack" but I don't know what that implies.
