2003 Radical SR3 Supersport

Highlights

• Hayabusa-engined track car

• Road-legal

• Large file of invoices 

• 0-62mph in less than three seconds

• Incredible track day toy

Overview

Peterborough might not seem like the most exotic place in which to produce a two-seater sports car that’ll do 0-62mph in less than three seconds, but the Radical SR3 has been built in the Cambridgeshire city since 2002. 

The car was the brainchild of motorsport engineer Mike Pilbeam, who has been designing and building racing cars since he started working for BRM in 1964. Although examples like this are road-legal, the Radical was developed primarily for participation in international competitions in the C3 class of the FIA. 

It is built upon a trellis chassis, which gives the car a kerb-weight of less than 500kg, while early examples used the 1,340cc engine from the Suzuki Hayabusa superbike (later SR3s came with a Ford EcoBoost engine or a supercharged Mercedes-Benz V8, though the latter is only for the ultra-brave).

This example is a very early one – a 2003 SR3 with the Hayabusa engine, developing 202bhp. That makes it the least powerful of the Radicals, but in comparative terms that’s largely irrelevant, because with a kerbweight of just 495 kg, that’s still a power-to-weight ratio of over 400bhp per tonne. Make no mistake – it’s a ridiculously fast car, with contemporary road tests recording a 0-62mph time of between 2.7 and 3.2 seconds, depending on which review you read. 

This one is a street-legal example – ‘SL’ in Radical parlance – meaning it has such luxuries as proper lighting and a heater, but that’s about your lot. Prospective buyers should not expect this to be something you can pop to the shops in and use for the daily commute, as that would soon get tiresome. 

What will never get tiresome, though, is its breathtaking performance and incredible looks – it’ll turn heads everywhere it goes; and if you want to take it on a track day, which is where it will really come into its own, then the fact it’s perfectly road legal will save you having to trailer it. It’s a phenomenal thing. 

History and documentation

• First registered on 1 May, 2003

• UK V5C in the owner’s name; five previous owners

• Owned by the vendor for the past four years

• MOT to August 2025

• Large file of invoices from current and previous ownership

• Paperwork appears to document that the car had a substantial overhaul in 2014

Interior

• Basic track car interior

• Two-seater

• Five-point harnesses

• Alcantara racing steering wheel

• Digital speedometer and dash display

• Bare, lightweight and uncarpeted

• Triangular roll cage

Exterior

• A striking yellow paint livery

• There are a number of small marks and scuffs and some gravel rash, in line with the type of car and its usage

• The vendor reports that the underside and chassis are in good order

• No evidence of any accident damage

• Some notable scuffs on front lower bib spoiler

• Wheels are in excellent condition

• Dunlop Direzza semi-slick road-legal track tyres

• No roof or windscreen – this is a full-on racing car for the road

 Mechanical

• 1,340cc Suzuki Hayabusa engine

• 202bhp from the factory

• The vendor reports that the car starts, stops and goes well

• The vendor notes that the Weber carbs may require a tune-up as it idles unevenly when cold

• Spare set of track wheels and tyres included in sale

Summary

This certainly isn’t a car for shrinking violets – but then, if you read this far, that should be readily apparent.

What it is, though, is an absolutely thrilling machine that’s as close as you’ll get to having your own racing car. If you want to fulfil your Le Mans dreams but do so on the public highway (at road legal speeds, naturally…) then there’s nothing to stop you doing so in this remarkable machine. 

Or if you want to fulfil those dreams at less legal speeds, then it’s the perfect track day weapon – you can drive it there if you need to, and you’ll have an absolute blast. There are few cars that are quite as engaging or exciting – or downright ludicrous. And that’s the reason we love it!

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. The car is located in Hull, Humberside.