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Radical Look To Lower Nordschleife Lap Record Again With SR8LM
10th August 2009
Pictured is Radical’s new challenger for the demanding Nürburgring production car lap record. Held by Radical since 2005, the firm is returning to the 12.9-mile (20.8km) Nordschleife course to try and beat the current 6m 56s lap time.
A fully road legal SR8LM will be used for the attempt, complying with the new, more comprehensive IVA test. It is completely standard, built to a specification identical to that of customer cars, and running on road-legal tyres. Not only will the car take to the track, but will also be driven to the German circuit from the Peterborough factory, a 500-mile (800km) journey across four countries.
Dutch sportscar ace Michael Vergers will once again pilot the car, having broken the lap record with a Radical SR8 Supersport in 2005. Radical has been setting records at the 'Ring since 2003, when former BTCC driver Phil Bennett lapped in 7m 19s with an SR3 Turbo. So far, no other manufacturer has got close to the time set by Vergers four years ago.
“It’s several years since we last went for the record, and we’ve carried out a huge amount of development work on the SR8 in the meantime,” said Radical’s Mick Hyde. “The aerodynamics have been considerably improved, now creating more downforce and less drag. The new-for-2009 chassis is much safer having passed the FIA production sportscar crash tests, and the engine is also improved, producing 460bhp and driving through our in-house designed six-speed transmission.
“Radical recognises that the Nürburgring lap record is the ultimate test by which a sportscar is judged, and we’ve worked closely with Dunlop in using their Direzza tyres, ideal for track use but completely safe and legal. Michael Vergers was the obvious choice for the attempt, having achieved the last record, so we have a very good chance of lowering the record if the weather holds out. The Radical SR8LM is the ultimate production sportscar for customers whose primary aim is driving to, on, and from the racetrack.”
Regular updates on the factory’s progress on the way to, and at, the Nürburgring, will be posted in due course.
