Rush SR vs Radical SR3: cost and running costs
The Radical SR3 1340 costs $120,000 new and $724 an hour to run. The Rush SR costs $49,995 new and $150 an hour. Here is the full cost table, with the arithmetic shown.
Side-by-Side: The Numbers
Every figure comes from our racing cost table, which lists purchase price, tires, rebuilds, fuel and brakes for Radical SR3 and the Rush SR. The Rush SR runs at $150 per hour. See race car running costs by class for every class.
| Rush SR | Radical SR3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price, new | $49,995 | $120,000 |
| Purchase price, used | $46,000 | $65,000 |
| Operating cost per hour | $150 | $724 |
| Operating cost per year | $4,013 | $19,304 |
| Tire set price | $896 | $1,500 |
| Tire life (hours) | 15 | 8 |
| Engine rebuild cost | $4,000 | $10,000 |
| Engine rebuild interval (hours) | 160 | 80 |
| Gearbox rebuild cost | $750 | $1,800 |
| Gearbox rebuild interval (hours) | 160 | 80 |
| Fuel price per gallon | $3.00 | $4.19 |
| Fuel burn (gallons per hour) | 8 | 10 |
| Brake pad set price | $164 | $600 |
| Brake pad life (hours) | 30 | 25 |
| Power (hp) | 145 | 195 |
| Weight with driver (lbs) | 1,350 | 1,544 |
*US market estimates for a typical competitive season, from racing-costs.csv. Per-hour figures include tires, fuel, brakes, and scheduled rebuilds, spread over hours.
The Radical SR3 1500 variant costs $131,590 new, $70,000 used, and $1,088 per hour ($28,989 per year), with 232 hp.
3-Year Total Cost
Purchase price new plus hours per year × cost per hour × 3 years. This excludes entry fees, travel, and incidents, which vary by series and driver.
| Rush SR | Radical SR3 | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 hours per year | $49,995 + (20 hrs × $150 × 3 yrs) = $58,995 | $120,000 + (20 hrs × $724 × 3 yrs) = $163,440 |
| 40 hours per year | $49,995 + (40 hrs × $150 × 3 yrs) = $67,995 | $120,000 + (40 hrs × $724 × 3 yrs) = $206,880 |
Who Races Radical SR3
- Radical Cup: Radical runs one-make Radical Cup championships, for example Radical Cup UK.
Where Radical SR3 Still Makes Sense
You want a prototype-style car with more power
The SR3 1340 makes more power than the Rush SR in our cost table, and the 1500 variant makes more again. If power and aero-car feel are what you are buying, the extra cost is the price of that.
You want Radical-only racing
Radical Cup is a one-make championship. If racing against other Radicals is the goal, a Radical is the car that gets you there.
The 1340 or the 1500
Within the SR3 range, the 1340 goes 80 hours between engine rebuilds in our table and the 1500 goes 40. The Rush SR goes 160. If you choose an SR3, the 1340 is the cheaper car to keep running.
Frequently Asked
How much does a Radical SR3 cost per hour to run?
Our cost table puts the Radical SR3 1340 at $724 per hour, or $19,304 per year. The 1500cc variant is higher. The Rush SR is $150 per hour.
How much does a new Radical SR3 cost compared with a Rush SR?
A new Radical SR3 1340 is $120,000 in our table and a used one $65,000. A new Rush SR is $49,995 and a used one $46,000.
What does three years of Radical SR3 racing cost?
At 20 hours a year, purchase plus running over three years is $163,440 for the SR3 1340, against $58,995 for the Rush SR. At 40 hours a year it is $206,880 against $67,995. Entry fees, travel and incidents are not included.
Where can a Radical SR3 race?
Radical runs one-make Radical Cup championships, for example Radical Cup UK. Club classes for the SR3 vary by sanctioning body and year, so check the current SCCA or NASA rulebook before you buy.
Ready to Race?
Configure your Rush SR, or price a season of your own.