Ariel Atom 3 or Radical SR3
08-27-2010, 02:03 AM
#17
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I have an atom and as DP35 points out, the stock wheels and tires are bogus for track. I fitted wider wheels and hoosier A6's for a night and day difference. The radical and especially the Stohr are faster on my home track but, in two seasons I have done nothing but change oil and add gas. My A6 Hoosiers lasted 20 track days. My pals with the Stohrs and Radical seen to spend 30 minutes drving and 3 hours wrenching. Engines and gearboxes appear fragile. So, for hammer reliability the Atom wins hands down. For ***** to the wall performance the Stohr wins easily but be prepared to sit out a lot of sessions with a broken something or other.
08-27-2010, 02:04 AM
#18
Radical
I beleive you could choose to race the Radical w/SCCA. Don't think there's anywhere to race the Atom. I've driven a very modified Atom and found it to be great fun. Even if racing was not the ultimate goal, I'd rather drive the Radical.
I beleive you could choose to race the Radical w/SCCA. Don't think there's anywhere to race the Atom. I've driven a very modified Atom and found it to be great fun. Even if racing was not the ultimate goal, I'd rather drive the Radical.
08-27-2010, 02:06 AM
#19
GT3 player par excellence
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i dont like open track days.
i like to have cars to dice with, more or less at similar speeds.
DP's arieal atom time of 1:33 at LS is 4 seconds faster than i have ever gone in my GT3. he's probably cussing and spitting if i dont move out of his way pronto.
08-27-2010, 12:26 PM
#21
With all due respect, its hard not to think that your friend lacks skill in driving and/or car & tire setup. With some of these skills, an Atom can go faster than any other stock street car that I've seen. But we all have our own definition of "fast". If you come from Champ cars you might not consider 1:33 at Laguna Seca or 1:42 at Infineon fast.
I've never had the pleasure of driving a Radical, but I'm sure they're great fun, and potentially faster than an Atom. However I've been faster than Radicals at the track more often than not.
The Atom's advantage vs a Radical is durability & low maintenance cost. Simply put, a light weight car is much easier to push with an engine/drivetrain from a Honda Civic than from a Suzuki motorcycle.
Atoms don't handle great on the stock tires. Plan to spend $4,000 on bigger rear wheels/tires, and upgraded rear uprights & wheel bearings, and it'll be on rails.
If your top priority is speed and you don't mind the maintenance, go for the Radical, or maybe a Stohr, or .....
I've never had the pleasure of driving a Radical, but I'm sure they're great fun, and potentially faster than an Atom. However I've been faster than Radicals at the track more often than not.
The Atom's advantage vs a Radical is durability & low maintenance cost. Simply put, a light weight car is much easier to push with an engine/drivetrain from a Honda Civic than from a Suzuki motorcycle.
Atoms don't handle great on the stock tires. Plan to spend $4,000 on bigger rear wheels/tires, and upgraded rear uprights & wheel bearings, and it'll be on rails.
If your top priority is speed and you don't mind the maintenance, go for the Radical, or maybe a Stohr, or .....
I have an atom and as DP35 points out, the stock wheels and tires are bogus for track. I fitted wider wheels and hoosier A6's for a night and day difference. The radical and especially the Stohr are faster on my home track but, in two seasons I have done nothing but change oil and add gas. My A6 Hoosiers lasted 20 track days. My pals with the Stohrs and Radical seen to spend 30 minutes drving and 3 hours wrenching. Engines and gearboxes appear fragile. So, for hammer reliability the Atom wins hands down. For ***** to the wall performance the Stohr wins easily but be prepared to sit out a lot of sessions with a broken something or other.
08-27-2010, 02:55 PM
#24
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08-27-2010, 03:10 PM
#25
Three Wheelin'
Atom - streetable, doesn't necessarily require a toy vehicle, gas and go
Radical - tow vehicle needed, not very competitive in SCCA if you do decide to race it
Stohr/West - two vehicle required, maintenance intensive, very competitive in SCCA (Stohr), legal for IMSA Lites (West)
Radical - tow vehicle needed, not very competitive in SCCA if you do decide to race it
Stohr/West - two vehicle required, maintenance intensive, very competitive in SCCA (Stohr), legal for IMSA Lites (West)
08-27-2010, 03:44 PM
#26
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08-27-2010, 09:59 PM
#28
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Thanks for all the input guys! Already have the F350 and enclosed trailer, so not an issue there.
I'm still debating between the two. The Atom can be titled, so it makes for a nice "Sunday driver" as well. The Radical would be a strict track toy.
I have the opportunity to buy a very nice 2002 Radical SR3 with spares, for a decent price.
Still undecided, but will keep you posted. Keep it coming!
I'm still debating between the two. The Atom can be titled, so it makes for a nice "Sunday driver" as well. The Radical would be a strict track toy.
I have the opportunity to buy a very nice 2002 Radical SR3 with spares, for a decent price.
Still undecided, but will keep you posted. Keep it coming!
08-27-2010, 10:46 PM
#30
Still plays with cars.
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On my home track a 2009 GT3 Cup driven by a Daytona 24 winner turns 1:40. The same car driven by a talented amateur 1:43. Atom 1:47 driven by an amateur, Stohr 1300 cc driven by an amateur 1:34. A 1000 cc Stohr 1:35. They are very fast. On the other hand, look at the construction and the tiny tubing and where your feet are. The Atom is built like a tank compared to the Stohr. For track he Atom needs wider wheels, the OEM setup is awful, over steers like mad. Change wheels and it drives like a 911. No aero however and it runs into a wall at about 135 MPH which is when the Cup cars blow by you on a long straight. A properly sorted Atom drives like a Formula Ford and is tossable. The high down force Stohr not so much but it sticks like superglue.