SR5 & SR8 – Estoril Test Success – 14th February 2008

SR5 & SR8 – Estoril Test Success
Two identical-liveried cars – one an SR5 and the other an SR8 Supersport made the trip to Estoril in Portugal on 10th & 11th of February for a two-day test, courtesy of Dunlop.

The weather was warm and dry, the cars ran faultlessly for two days, and with an open pit lane, a lot of miles were covered by both cars.

A team of test drivers were lined up, comprising Radical SR9 driver, Stuart Moseley, Intrax shock absorber test pilot, Jap van Laagen and sportscar and single-seater ace, Nigel Greensall.

Dunlop were very understanding and let the SR5 run on the control tyres that are used in the V de V series.

In addition to the new bodywork and aero pack, the SR5 was run with new low-friction dampers and a new torque-biasing differential.

Straight away, the SR5 was two seconds a lap quicker than when the car raced at Estoril in December.  The best lap, of 1:40.8 seconds, was achieved when the circuit was at its slowest on the second day, but more importantly all drivers reported that the new SR5 was very well-balanced and easy-to-drive – as was proven by the consistent lapping in the 1:41’s

SR5 & SR8 – Estoril Test Success
The only negative comment from the drivers was that the power of the engine was down.  Nigel Greensall commented, “when I raced and won at Estoril in a Norma last year, the fastest race lap was 1:41.3, slower than the new SR5 that’s down on power.  Yet, when I tested an early SR5 prototype, the power was better than any other car on the V de V grid.  Get the early engine into the new chassis and you have got a winner!” Needless to say, Powertec are on the case as we speak.

The SR8 Supersport had its first outing at Estoril on new Dunlop tyres.  Dunlop have made new moulds, introduced a new construction and used a more durable compound.  Back-to-back testing with a 2007-spec SR8 was conclusive.  The new chassis was quicker  and easier to drive.

Stuart Moseley put in a blistering 1:34.8 lap.  The new aero produced more downforce and top speed was up by five miles per hour – confirming the wind tunnel prediction.

SR5 & SR8 – Estoril Test Success
Radical co-founder, Phil Abbott was supervising the test.  “We were able to do back-to-back testing with new tyres, differentials, suspension parts, and bespoke designed dampers incorporating new low-friction technology.  It was a lot of work, but the results were very positive.  The SR8 Supersport lived up to the expectations predicted in the wind tunnel, but from my ‘gentleman driver’ perspective, it was the ease at which the car could be driven quickly that was the most impressive.

Regarding the SR5, we have got the chassis and aero where we want it.  I am convinced that we would have broken the CN lap record by a margin if we had had our earlier, high-torque engine in the car.  The power band of the current spec is too narrow.
SR5 & SR8 – Estoril Test Success
The SR5 didn’t miss a beat for the whole two days.  So with reliability, market-leading pace and drivability, the SR5 is now a race-winner.”

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