My last drive of the day is the Ariel Atom 3. As you can see, there is not much to this car and it was made with track days in mind.
The Ariel Atom first appeared in 1996 as a university project. This prototype was called Lightweight Sports Car (LSC). In 2000 the first Ariel Atom appeared 24 years later the Ariel Atom is still in production and has gone from strength to strength. This car is basically a chassis, engine, gearbox, suspension, steering and 4 wheels
This car weighs 462 kg's and has the 2 litre Honda i-VTEC 6MT engine that produces 245 bhp, has a top speed of 140 mph and will go from 0-60 in around 2.7 seconds. It also comes with a 6 speed manual gearbox and is rear wheel drive.
This car is a climb in and lower yourself into the seat. I also took a change of shoes for this car as I have size 13 feet so my usual walking trainers would have far too big so I opted for smart shoes as they are a bit narrower overall. This car also requires a crash helmet with the visor down as there is no windscreen.
Me prior to getting in.
As you can see the dash is very compact but has everything you need for this car to be road legal.
To start this, a key goes into the outside to activate the electrics, you push a toggle switch upwards to activate the fuel pumps, shake the gear stick to make sure you're in neutral, press the clutch down and then press the start button. The engine fires into life and settles into a quiet idle.
I put the car into first, bring the clutch up gently and the accelerator down and make my way out of the pits.
Once on track at Paddock Hill Bend the acceleration becomes apparent as my stomach disappeared as I drove up Hailwoods Hill going up through the gears and caught up with me at Druids as you break and change down. On through the lap and gaining in confidence as this car is much quicker than the 250 TR I had just driven.
On the second lap coming out of Druids, I come a little unstuck as I have trouble locating the correct gear although after a couple of attempts the correct gear is selected and I'm back on my way around the lap.
This car is quick to accelerate and handles beautifully in the corners, its easy to see how this is a popular track day car.
Given there is no windscreen you soon find out how strong your neck is when met with the wind and air coming towards you.
I found out post drive the best way to change gears in this car is with two fingertips, its much less clumsy than using my ham fists.
This is another car that you need to fully focus on what you are doing as it is very rewarding when you get it right.
All to soon my time was up but this story has a slightly different ending as I got out of one Ariel Atom, I jumped into another one as a passenger.
My driver was Gemma, she has a brother who is currently driving in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Gemma is a professional race driver who is also aiming for the WEC and I was about to find out how huge a gap there was between the enthusiast (me) and the pro (Gemma).
I was strapped in and told no matter what to keep my feet crossed and my arms crossed and to hold onto the seatbelts.
As we left the pit lane it became apparent that Gemma was all business, as we hit the full speed white line my senses were scrambled.
We arrived into Druids for the first time it felt like my balls were in my neck and that my head was going to explode, Gemma threw me and the Ariel around like a rag doll.
The speed and skill she has is extraordinary, overtaking everything in her path, be it a Ferrari, a Lamborghini everything looked like it was sat still.
With the speed Gemma was driving at when you try and focus on something it is constantly shaking due to the nature of the car.
I'd been around Brands Hatch in 3 different cars and I thought I was getting better and quicker until Gemma demonstrated the true reality. Yes I had improved on my knowledge of the track and gotten quicker but Gemma is leagues ahead.
Just as I was getting used to being thrown around Gemma pulled into the pits. I wished her the best of luck on getting to the WEC and went to find a quiet area and a drink of water to settle down after what had been the ride of my life.
With 3 cars driven and a passenger ride I need to talk about the track itself. Brands Hatch, what a track. It's become my favourite track to watch motorsport at due to the trackside views and the racing that is hosted there, now having driven it I feel enlightened. Now I understand better the 30 meter elevation having walked it as a spectator and driven up it. I appreciate tight corners and how rewarding it is to have a good lap there. I also now understand what the drivers go through on a lap of Brands Hatch and how they feel when they complete a race. Hopefully one day I will drive the full circuit. Only time will tell.
Now, if you have read this far, Car Chase Heroes need your help.
5 of their cars have been stolen from the Norfolk area, below is a photo of their Facebook post from September. So far only the Volkswagen Golf has been recovered. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of these cars, please contact Car Chase Heroes or the police.
For further information about Car Chase Heroes, please visit
For further information about Brands Hatch, please visit
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