Not many people can say they’ve won in every Radical platform, and on two continents. Jim Booth can. The American has campaigned Radicals for the better part of a decade.
A long-time SR8 competitor, he’s driven both generations of Radical’s 2.7L V8 powered beast, finishing runner up in the MASTERS class championship of the 2019 Blue Marble Radical Cup North America and winning the 2017 Radical European Masters championship.
In fact Jim and his son Ryan gave the latest gen SR8 its maiden win at Portimao, Portugal back in 2017. Last year Jim was also responsible for handing the new SR3 XX a win in its global racing debut at Barber Motorsports Park, USA. Of course, he’s won in an older SR3 RSX too, and with the RXC platform as well while campaigning a Spyder V6 Twin Turbo across Europe.
So perhaps it was fitting that ‘Gentleman Jim’ – as Booth is known around the paddock – was the first American customer to take delivery of Radical’s latest creation, the 425 bhp Radical SR10.
Targeted at track-day enthusiasts, motorsport country club members and racers across the globe, the SR10 delivers more power and torque – a whopping 380lb-ft – than has ever been featured in Radical’s SR line-up, thanks to a new RPE-Ford EcoBoost engine.
Tuned by Radical Performance Engines (RPE) and mated to a new Hewland six-speed transaxle gearbox originally developed for FIA Formula 2, the new drivetrain package is optimized for performance, durability and lower running costs.
After sampling his new SR10 recently at the storied Sebring Raceway in Florida– home of the 12 Hour race that’s been won by the who’s who of motorsport, from Moss and Fangio to Kristensen and McNish – Booth immediately felt compelled to send his first impressions to Radical CEO, Joe Anwyll:
“You have an absolute mega success with the SR10. Just spent two days testing and racing this ‘torque monster’ at Sebring. The balance is vastly improved and virtually identical to the SR3.
“Reliability should be excellent with this new motor and gearbox. You told me two years ago that you were working diligently to bring reliability to the SR8 [platform]. Well done! This SR10 is a visceral dream to drive.”
“Additionally, Sebring is one of the roughest tracks in the world and the car performed flawlessly over eight 30-minute sessions. Congratulations to you and your team. You know I’ve been a Radical Sportscars fan since 2014. The first time I tested one I was hooked. No better racing value on planet Earth period! Hope to see you trackside or for dinner in the near future.”
Booth finished by saying, “Thanks for a mega race car. There was an SR8 here as well. We ran some laps together here at Sebring. The SR10 pulls away from the SR8 on straights and corners better.
Impressive praise from a man who is also a Ferrari Challenge regular, has raced 700hp Dodge Vipers and also recently purchased a 2018 Ligier Formula Regional (F3) for some additional fun.
Booth is testing in preparation for the 2021 Blue Marble Radical Cup, which commences at the opening round of the NTT IndyCar Series at Barber Motorsports Park, April 15-18, where he’ll find plenty of competition.
Reigning PRO 1500 class champion Indy Al Miller is just one of a number of current American SR3 drivers stepping up to the SR10.
Tony Bullock, Alain Derzie, Niko Karavites, Ryan Kelly, John Melsom, Louis Schriber, Ethan Stone and Scott Wanger are all awaiting delivery of their cars, as are series newcomers Shane Anderson, Jack Rambo and 2018 Masters class champion Judd Miller.
More than 30 new SR10s are already destined for the USA, and with scores more ‘torque monsters’ being shipped across the globe it’s clear the latest evolution of Radical’s most successful chassis has created a true revolution in racing.