Radical redesigns flagship models for speed boost

Radical has overhauled its three best-selling models for 2017, and expects significant lap time hikes from its flagship SR8 racer.

The Peterborough firm, which has been under new ownership since May following the installation of Joseph Anwyll as CEO to replace Phil Abbott, pulled the covers off the overhauled range at ASI last week.

The SR1, SR3 and SR8 have all been heavily face-lifted to give the cars a ‘family’ look, with the SR8 getting the biggest modifications.

The car now features much heavier frontal aero, with underbody airflow a particular area of development and venturi tunnels added for the first time. It has also had an electrics overhaul and a wider rev range.

“We’ve done all of the design and development in-house and we’re very pleased with the relaunch,” said Radical’s sales head Duncan Johnson.

“We wanted to invest in the business to reenergise it and update the cars, but in doing so we’ve had the chance to find more performance. We’ve not done track testing yet, but our [design and CFD] numbers suggest the SR8 could be up to a second per lap faster in this configuration at certain tracks.”