Le Mans Series

Rollcentere Racing to Move to Radical Chassis Powered by AER

Three of Radical’s initial four discounted LMP2 chassis have been snapped up prior to the cars official launch this week. Tim Greaves, a Radical shareholder and keen sportscar racer understandably bought the first, and local front-running Le Mans team, Rollcentre Racing signed up for two cars on July 25.

The SR9 has changed in concept during it’s design phase as Mick Hyde, Radical co-founder explains, “The original concept was for a “vaule for money? LMP2 car capable of being fitted with any of the current LMP2 engines, including our own Powertec RPD 3.0 litre V8. After speaking with several of the current Le Mans Endurance Series teams, including Rollcentre’s Martin Short, it has become apparent that the teams want a bespoke, integrated package. In other words a transmission / engine / electronics / data logging system that functions competitively and reliably as a turn-key package.”

Ricardo are Radical’s chosen transmission partner. Originally, the 450Nm transmission was specified, but Radical are now extremely pleased to announce that they have managed to do a deal on Ricardo’s 750 Nm sportscar box, with the same internals as in the LMP1 Audi. Transmissions do not come with a better pedigree. Add to this an integral pneumatic gear shift system and Radical can boast a Le Mans-winning drive system.

The most powerful LMP2 engine is currently the AER 2.0 litre turbo, which finished first and second in class at Monza recently. AER have agreed to work with Powertec, Radical’s engine building arm to provide a package which incorporates a 2 litre turbo, a combined ECU for engine and gearbox, and an integrated electrical system.

The chassis and aerodynamic package are well under way, under the watchful eye of designer Peter Elleray. The carbon tub is as good as the best in the class, but special care has been taken to minimise production and tooling costs.

The aerodynamic package is based on the experience that Elleray gained whilst producing the Le Mans-winning Bentley. The master buck and all tooling are being produced in-house at Radical.

Rollcentre had a choice for 2006 - either turn its Dallaras into hybrids, or look at an alternative prototype project. LMP2 with two Radical SR9s was the final decision, for reasons that Martin Short explains.

“Our Dallaras would have needed a lot of money spending on them to turn them into hybrids: we looked at that option, and coincidentally, discussed the whole idea with Peter Elleray. His involvement with the design of the Radical was a major factor that persuaded us to take the Radical LMP2 route.”

Other factors in the equation were an acknowledgement that the ACO prefers privateers to go into LMP2, and the sheer cost of racing in LMP1.

“I like the way Radical does things. The company’s name is very appropriate - they do things differently from others.” -Rollcentre Racing’s Martin Short “We’ve had a great time racing our Dallaras, but by choosing the Radical SR9, I’m sure we’ve found the most effective and cost-conscious way to stay with prototypes,” says Martin Short.

Radical are now inviting orders from teams who wish to run in the American Le Mans Series and the Le Mans Endurance Series during the second half of 2006, in preparation for a full assualt in 2007.

Mick Hyde continues, “we are particularly keen to get an American team on board who wish to take on the Porsche LMP2 cars. We are not naive enough to think that we can beat them straight out of the box, but we have assembled here at Radical something a bit special, and we won’t rest until we are on the top step of the podium.”