Safety is Radical's primary concern when designing a sports racing car.  The carbon composite chassis of the Radical SR9 Le Mans prototypes have to pass a series of arduous squeeze and crash tests, supervised by the FIA, before they are permitted to race at Le Mans.

Radical's SR3, SR5 and SR8 2009-specification space frame chassis comply with the FIA Production Sports Car test outlined below.

Side Crush Test

The chassis is subject to three separate loads on the side of the chassis.  2000daN (2 tons) is applied for three minutes after which no more than 1mm of deformation is allowed.

Frontal Crash Test

The front crash structure is subjected to a push-off test of 2000daN (2 tons) for 30 seconds. No failure of the crash box or its fixings is allowe d.

The safety cell and crash structure is then mounted on a sled, weighted up to the dry weight of the car plus 75kg and ‘impacted’ into a solid object at 12 m/s.

During the test the maximum average deceleration of the chassis must not exceed 25g.  The crash structure deformation must be contained within a zone more than 100mm ahead of the driver’s feet.

Roll Over Structures Crush Test

The front roll over structures must withstand a 3500daN (3.5 tons) vertical load.

The rear anti roll over structures must withstand a 5250daN (5.25 tons) load vertically, 3850daN (3.85 tons) load longitudinally and 1.05daN (1 ton) transversely inwards.

Steering Column Crash Test

The steering wheel, steering column and steering rack assembly is subjected to an impact test along its axis. When hit by a solid 8kg mass travelling at 7 m/s the steering assembly must not exceed 80g for 3ms and the quick release mechanics must function properly after the test.

Track & Race Car Magazine joined Radical when the SR chassis was crash tested. To view the article, click here.