Now built in the US.
 

I wonder what class the SCCA will put it into?

The Ariel Atom
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06...ariel_atom.jpg
Website
http://www.brammo.com/index.php?opti...=32&Itemid=110
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKBPONygGxI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaWoo82zNUA

I'm guessing B MOD! :)

Maybe not, if it's built and sold here, it may qualify for STOCK! :willy:

Looks like a good T1 car. ;-)

Am very curious about that as have one being delivered on Friday

:cool: post some pics :thumbs:

Great car! I've read a lot about it and watched several videos.
One of the best track-only cars for those that have the money, garage space and trailer :thumbs:

Ther are not just track only, they are street legal. There is one in our NASA region and he has plates for it... I don't think I would like to drive it on the street... Can't wait to get back to the track, he will be in my run group soon and it will be fun to see it on the track!

The Atom is an amazing little car. I got to sit in one at VIP a couple of weeks ago. They had the Atom driving experience there - trailers - 10 cars the whole works. It is a well engineered finely crafted automobile. Base engine is 245 HP with 300 optional. With 300Hp the p/w ratio is better than a Ferrari Enzo. They are extremely quick but the top end is only 145-150 with the factory gearset. With that light weight and sticky tires it will be a terror on a road course !!!

That's not true, Enzo has a better power/weight ratio:

____________________ Enzo Atom
Car Weight__________ 3230 1400
Driver weight_______ 0200 0200
Total weight________ 3430 1600
Power_______________ 0650 0300
Power/Weight (HP/lb) .190 .188

I have seen many calculating the power/weight ratio without driver. That won't work until cars will drive itself ;)
Of course if driver weights less than 183 lbs the Atom will win the comparison.

On a real race the Enzo will win every single time because of the superior aerodynamics and gearing. The Atom maxes out at 155 mph.

Yes, the comparison is more than silly :lol:
:cheers:

so if you're a skinny guy (me) and stick to tight, low speed courses where the aero doesn't really come into play and the small size helps, the atom is the hot ticket

mate you will not be disopointed! they are great cars and never stop getting great write ups here in the UK (where they came from! ;) lol). they aren't as radical as say a radical lol. but they still mix it wuith the best. have seen the Atom 300s race around tracks against modded a C6zo6 and the atom was the clear winner! you can just take soo much speed into the corners. no slow in fast out pants, its fast all the way! :)

also cos they are nice and light and use the Vetc motor they fast but easy on parts. also if the engine does go bang your not going to have to falk out MASSIVE $$$ to get a fresh one in there.

please keep us informed on your impressions. hope they dont dull them down for you guys as they are truly an ace motor!

thanks Chris.

PS did you know you can see all the suspension working away as you drive?? lol

Well, if you run it in its stock street form, then I'd expect it to be in the highest stock class, SS, right?

Maybe NASA rules make more sense, that weight to power ratio would put you in SuperUnlimited.

Yes, if it is considered a street legal car, which really is not.
If put in SS it would be totally killing any competition.

So far SCCA and NASA do not accept Ariel Atom, but there are efforts to classify it and approve it for racing.

I fully agree that classifying it as SS would be wrong from a competition perspective, just playing with the current rules. :rofl:

And, I have to say it *is* truly street legal, licensed under the small manufacturer regs, IIRC.

Sure would like to test drive one, though!

Have a good one,
Mike

Even for a big guy the Atom 300 HP is the hot ticket.
The only car I can think of beating it is the Radical SR3 Turbo and of course the Radical SR8.

IF it were produced in sufficient numbers to be considered for solo competition, it would end up on the stock class exclusion list. That's where the Vipers were for years, it would totally screw up the classing, so it won't happen. They might go ahead and class it in DMod or Emod so that if you have one you can come play with it, but it most likely won't end up in SS.


I was about to say "never" up above where I said "most likely", but I have learned to never say never with the current SEB. They have the unique ability to screw up a wet dream, so you can never totally rule out them doing something stupid... :smash: so "most likey" is where we ought to leave it for now...

did you guys know you can get areo parts for the atom??? might bring it closer to the Radicals.

Chris.

It will bring it closer, but the Radical SR3 Turbo stays ahead. The Radical is designed from the start for aerodynamics and downforce.
The Atom is too high and too open. Of course that with lots of money aero parts can be obtained, but even then it won't beat the Radical.

The Radical comes with the aero parts included in price. The cars have pretty similar weight and power. Also the Radical is race proven for many years.
:cheers: