j_jza80 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Just been scouring the ads for Ariel Atoms, and the cheapest 2nd hand ones are just under £30k I'm sure it's a very capable track car, but could you justify spending that on something so impractical? And would it really be much quicker than a second hand Caterham, which could be had for circa £10k less? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Don't know what they are like to drive but someone near here has one and it goes like facal matter off a digging implement. It seems like any chance to overtake can be taken and very quickly too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aman00123 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 They are supposed to be much much quicker than Caterham's, but as I have never driven one I can't really say if it's justified or not, I guess it depends on how much you track and how serious about it you are.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I have driven one in anger and they are cracking bits of kit, the Atom 300 SC is a real beast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Nice clip from BrandsHatch showing how much of a handful they can be Bq58m4IZvQE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 The only Caterham you can really compare it too is the R500 6tN6_xUL8j4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Two quality clips there, Wez. I'd take either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 It would be a tough choice but I wouldn't be unhappy with either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazama76 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Nice clip from BrandsHatch showing how much of a handful they can be Bq58m4IZvQE Not sure who the driver was, but the way he was snapping his foot on and off the accelerator in the corner didnt really help justify the true capabilities of this machine. IMO anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Not sure who the driver was, but the way he was snapping his foot on and off the accelerator in the corner didnt really help justify the true capabilities of this machine. IMO anyway I take it you didnt read the comments trcmagazine Interesting mix of comments, thanks guys. Just for the record; a Supercharged Atom isn't the easiest of cars to drive at great speed (the power delivery is like a light switch). Driving a race car smoothly is the quickest way although this was a track day in a road legal car with a road setup (hence the lively attitude)... With an excited passenger who wanted to be flung around! As with most videos the actual speed is never fully appreciated but remember, this car develops over 500bhp-per-ton... Highest Rated Comments andybg40 I'm laughing at you right now. You should do some research before putting a person down. The guy driving this car is ONLY the official race driver for Atom. In every race he competed in during the Ariel program run in 2006 he completely destroyed every competitor and won everything. When the car was taken to Top Gear he was faster than the Stig by aboyt 4 seconds. This car requires an unusual driving technique. The fact that you are calling his driving style poor shows me that you have no idea. Dementor0007 no traction control no abs no esp no whatever would only be too much weight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 If you just want to do track days or race series there are cars for far less that are a lot faster. For a road / track car a Caterfield is a lot more practical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adnanshah247 Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 the atom is an awesome bit of kit, ridiculous power! engineering master piece. put a 2jz on the back, lets see if it can destory the nurburgh ring record! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 If you just want to do track days or race series there are cars for far less that are a lot faster. You got an example Chris? I have always liked these and factory built they are £17k, if you want to build it yourself then its only £14k. http://www.tigerracing.com/wallpaper/images/english-racing-automobiles-front-800.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 put a 2jz on the back, lets see if it can destory the nurburgh ring record! Oh please. Too big and too heavy. It's all about power to weight with an Atom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Oh please. Too big and too heavy. It's all about power to weight with an Atom. And handling. You wouldn't want a large Iron block weighting down the rear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 You'll need a garage to keep it in too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 You got an example Chris? this perhaps? : http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/31947/RADICAL_SR3.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KamaSupra Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 My mate used to have a Caterham which he built from scratch, he didn't bother fitting the sparewheel and windscreen or anything which would make it heavy or slow it down. I was taken out in it a few times and the performance was amazing, but he got bored of it and bought himself a Lotus Elise. But he always says he misses the Caterham The Caterham is s great car but the Atom is definitely more the daddy of the two. I've always liked the Atom, it's raw and fast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Problem with the Atom is it has the aerodynamics of a brick and no real downforce, so it's not very good in fast corners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Does anyone do proper aero stuff for caterfields? Wedge nose, rear wings etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Yes, there was a famous Lotus 7 called the Black Brick that had some reasonable downforce for its day, and I know of a Caterham with a proper wing and front splitter set up that's devastatingly quick with a turbo Hart F1 1500 cc engine in it. Black Brick: http://rides.webshots.com/album/354242006MIvJEj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 I have a video of me racing an Atom in my Supra. It's got comedy effect (little 'n' large syndrome) but unfortunately it's not suitable for public viewing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Just been scouring the ads for Ariel Atoms, and the cheapest 2nd hand ones are just under £30k I'm sure it's a very capable track car, but could you justify spending that on something so impractical? And would it really be much quicker than a second hand Caterham, which could be had for circa £10k less? These cars are great when its not raining Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 I have a video of me racing an Atom in my Supra. It's got comedy effect (little 'n' large syndrome) but unfortunately it's not suitable for public viewing You naked in it then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 You naked in it then? and also my passenger was a well-known midget arm-wrestling champion with Mafia connections who doesn't want to be found. Don't worry though. He's fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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