Ariel Atom 2 video!

[discord]

Quote:

Originally Posted by adhoc /img/forum/go_quote.gif Grow up?

And how about the elderly that wish they were young again?

 

[Wmcmanus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by discord /img/forum/go_quote.gif I rather have a Porsche 911 or a Corvette Z06 instead of that Go-Cart.

No problem, man... they both look good in the rear view mirror!

Even a 140hp Atom (i.e., an Atom with half of its brains tied behind its back, beats a Porsche 911 Turbo with ease). But I really love the looks of the 911, so I don't blame you at all. Don't really know much about the Z06. The other one I like a lot is the Cayman S. Sweet car!

 

[discord]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyline889 /img/forum/go_quote.gif So you're a dentist with a mid-life crisis then?

The Ariel Atom seems more like a car that Bill Nye would drive. I need the sweet looks too!

 

[Sleestack]

Awesome choice Wmcmanus. I toyed with the idea of getting one of those as a track car ever since I saw it on Top Gear last year. I ended up giving up the idea because I had heard that a street legal "F1" car was in the works, but god knows how long it will be before those become readily available. I am a bit of a speed junky although a bad accident and suspect license status has tempered that a bit. I'm supposed to pick up my 700 hp Mercedes project car within weeks, but it isn't a carver as much as a bruiser for the highways.

3 months ago I saw an Atom locally and couldn't believe it was street legal. It literally looks like a frame with wheels. Proceed with caution if you are going to use it on the road because visibility to other cars is an issue. On the track it should be more fun than anyone can handle. Not much room for audio, but the screech of the engine and rumble of the road should be music to your ears anyway.

OE MORE THING: If you aren't the most experienced performance driver, take some performance driving lessons. There should be plenty of schools in Florida. It will make your ownership experience much more fun and could potentially save your life... or get you into more trouble.

 

[Wmcmanus]

Thanks, Richard. Seems like I heard something about your Mercedes project, but I can't remember from whom. Maybe Mikhail, or perhaps I read about it here?

The visibility factor on the roads is a big issue to me. The roll bar (which most people don't get) will help in this regard. I'm looking into various ways of adding an additional brake light and turn signal 'strip' across the back of the roll bar. They make these for pick up trucks. Something like this:

http://www.stylinconcepts.com/parts..../categoryid/26

I'm sure I'll be able to find something more tasteful, but the idea is to add a second brake light (for sure) and maybe turn signals as well up at a height that will be easier for the country bumpkins in their F150s and the soccer moms in their SUVs to see!

As for performance driving, I'm planning to get some track time in at the Jim Hall Karting School (I kid you not) in Ventura CA, when I'm out for the national meet in April. The Atom really is very kart-like in it's design and I like that about it. But more importantly, there are some general driving skills that cross over. In fact, a number of F1 drivers got their start in karting.

I'm also intending to take a 2-3 day track course once I get the Atom (and before I go too far with it on the roads). There will certainly be a lot to learn, and no, I don't really have any real experience with true performance cars (notwithstanding 3 years of driving my 5.7 TranAm... although not the same thing at all, I think it will help a little).

 

[Sleestack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wmcmanus /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks, Richard. Seems like I heard something about your Mercedes project, but I can't remember from whom. Maybe Mikhail, or perhaps I read about it here? The visibility factor on the roads is a big issue to me. The roll bar (which most people don't get) will help in this regard. I'm looking into various ways of adding an additional brake light and turn signal 'strip' across the back of the roll bar. They make these for pick up trucks. Something like this: http://www.stylinconcepts.com/parts..../categoryid/26 I'm sure I'll be able to find something more tasteful, but the idea is to add a second brake light (for sure) and maybe turn signals as well up at a height that will be easier for the country bumpkins in their F150s and the soccer moms in their SUVs to see! As for performance driving, I'm planning to get some track time in at the Jim Hall Karting School (I kid you not) in Ventura CA, when I'm out for the national meet in April. The Atom really is very kart-like in it's design and I like that about it. But more importantly, there are some general driving skills that cross over. In fact, a number of F1 drivers got their start in karting. I'm also intending to take a 2-3 day track course once I get the Atom (and before I go too far with it on the roads). There will certainly be a lot to learn, and no, I don't really have any real experience with true performance cars (notwithstanding 3 years of driving my 5.7 TranAm... although not the same thing at all, I think it will help a little).

Mikhail used to be a car freak too. I never would have guessed and was surprised when he told me about his crazy modded car.

I'm glad to hear that you have already thought about driving school. I was actually going to recommend an open wheel racing school b/c as far as I'm concerned, the Atom is esentially an open wheel race car. There is nothing funny about those professional high performance karts. They can achieve scary performance and do produce some great drivers.

I've always loved motorcycles and cars, but a wife and child has made the former a distant memory. You'll get the best of both worlds with the Atom and I certainly envy you there.

Looking forward to seeing you in April. Even though the meet will be at one of our properties, I don't know how much time I will actually spend at the meet. Nevertheless, I'll certainly make the time to meet some of my favorite head-fiers.

 

[Wmcmanus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleestack /img/forum/go_quote.gif Mikhail used to be a car freak too. I never would have guessed and was surprised when he told me about his crazy modded car.

You must be referring to those 3am loops that he and his pals used to do around the Houston interstate circuit.

Surprised me too! But we all must have our fun at one time or another.

Quote:

Looking forward to seeing you in April. Even though the meet will be at one of our properties, I don't know how much time I will actually spend at the meet. Nevertheless, I'll certainly make the time to meet some of my favorite head-fiers.

Same here! I'm sure you'll be able to break away for at least a short listening session or two. But if you're like me, you'll spend the majority of your time chatting.

 

[pne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleestack /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm glad to hear that you have already thought about driving school. I was actually going to recommend an open wheel racing school b/c as far as I'm concerned, the Atom is esentially an open wheel race car. There is nothing funny about those professional high performance karts. They can achieve scary performance and do produce some great drivers.

I was going to say the same. The atoms weight and handling characteristics make it closer to an OW class rather than a kart class where your own body weight plays a role in handling.

 

[bhd812]

Like sleeks said those things are low and not in peoples common eye sight.
I would attach some kind of pole to the back and wave a flag or something, then again in chicago i would need to wear full orange hunting gear and wave a 10 foot high by 10 foot wide blinking sign to get noticed..well that wouldnt work well either here.

congrast man, your the first i heard of actually buying one of these.

 

[bozebuttons]

Congrates Wayne,
Thats a wild looking car.I agree with Sleestack definitely more like a open wheel racer.Should be a hell of a ride.
I have always been into cars & bikes,& recently getting the bug back after being in submission for a while.
This threads giviing me the bug to drag out my Dads 1958 Indy car out of the shed & get it back into racing shape(been sitting Idle after my Dad past away 2 years ago).
The driving school is also a great Idea,I have always wanted to go to one but never did. But I did Race stock cars in the bomber class for 2 years at freeport staduim years back,A lot of fun.

 

[Sleestack]

Make sure you get us a picture of your face flapping away when those Gs hit. That shot on Top Gear is classic.

 

[Jasper994]

WOW! Awesome!

Congrats Wayne!

 

[JahJahBinks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleestack /img/forum/go_quote.gif Make sure you get us a picture of your face flapping away when those Gs hit. That shot on Top Gear is classic.

X2