Rave Reviews for New Radicals Slate

Brands Hatch is always a popular stop on the Radical schedule.

Despite a car that has been improved season on season by iRacing and a car that regularly has sim-racing being positive about it when they try it, this season has seen the series struggling for participation.

As a road series the competition for drivers is fierce and many series saw a dip as drivers looked elsewhere for their drives; however one thing that effected the season was the track selection.

On paper the Radical season 1 schedule didn’t look bad.  It certainly didn’t get the same reaction as some series, but drivers quickly decided they disliked the first few tracks and voted with their feet.

The drivers who have remained loyal to this classic little V8 prototype style sports car are reacting positively to a new schedule, released last Tuesday, which has been assembled with reference to participation levels historically.

“The best schedule for the Radical since I started driving the car.” — Larry Brodsky

The series opens at the classic Mosport Raceway, a perennial favourite of the drivers despite (or perhaps because of -Ed) the challenges of Turn Two and generally has strong participation.

Next up is the short version of the Road Atlanta circuit. Eyebrows were raised when this appeared on the schedule but last time it was used, this sub one minute circuit, was the third most popular in the season. It suits the Radical well and drivers, when they try it, generally react positively.

A new track to the series is next up in the form of a trip to Brazil and the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, also known as ‘Interlagos.’

Fourth in the series is another ‘fly away’ to the Phillip Island circuit whose sweeping curves are ideally-suited to the nimble SR8.

Phillip Island . . . perfectly suited to the Radical SR8.

Drivers will be pleased to see a return to the GP circuit at Suzuka after it strangely failed to ignite the season last year in a shortened form. Watkins Glen provides the end point of the first half of the season with a visit to the classic circuit.

A trip to the trio of English tracks forms the third quarter of the season with Oulton Park sandwiched by Brands Hatch in Week Seven and Silverstone in Week Nine. The latter provides the third ‘alternate’ circuit. After many years racing the Classic GP circuit, the racers are treated to the shorter, but still reasonably lengthy, International circuit.

The Silverstone International circuit retains much of the character of the full circuit, but provides a prime overtaking spot at what is Turn One on the current ‘wing circuit’, while Bridge Corner is approached at a slower speed and may provide more excitement as a result, as two abreast may be feasible.

Homestead Miami Speedway provides the seasons ‘oddball’ track but is a circuit that provides a relatively long ‘road circuit’ with corners that suit the Radical.

Sebring returns to the schedule next up.  This track generally polarises opinion but is generally well received before the season is ‘book ended’ by a trip to Belgium and Spa.

Overall the new schedule has been very well received with Larry Brodsky, on the official forums, saying “This schedule should chase away the I do not like the track selections comments. In my opinion, this is the best schedule for the Radical since I started driving the car. I am not feeling up to par with my poor performance in the UK&I League but I might have to dip my toe back into the official series.”

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