Anyone know formula atlantic and swift cars..
03-05-2011, 10:11 PM
#31
I''ve never experienced anything close to as fun as racing in a big field of open wheeled cars. Anything else feels like an unresponsive pig after driving a well set up open wheeler (or sports racer.)
03-06-2011, 02:28 AM
#32
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03-06-2011, 11:37 PM
#34
Burning Brakes
Ok... Here goes
an Atlantic is the REAL deal....
I raced pro in 96-97-98
So to answer ur question.... Don't touch it with a 10 ft pole
1 it takes a crew to run and maintain
2 maint hours r double than hours run
3 hellu expensive... About $25 per mile that's 75 per lap at mid Ohio just in wear and consumables
4 if u get the 1.6l your rebuilding at 500-600 mi if it doesn't blow up first due to a missed shift or over rev etc
6 ways to many adjustments setups gear ratios aero
I had a full on engineering team figuring that **** out
Now per the swift 8a
Not a great car... All tubs had to go back to the factory for some reinforcements and tub flex issues
14 way better
16 that car is amazing I hear never owned or drove one
Now if u have the $$$ it's the most fun u can have with your clothes on!
I raced pro in 96-97-98
So to answer ur question.... Don't touch it with a 10 ft pole
1 it takes a crew to run and maintain
2 maint hours r double than hours run
3 hellu expensive... About $25 per mile that's 75 per lap at mid Ohio just in wear and consumables
4 if u get the 1.6l your rebuilding at 500-600 mi if it doesn't blow up first due to a missed shift or over rev etc
6 ways to many adjustments setups gear ratios aero
I had a full on engineering team figuring that **** out
Now per the swift 8a
Not a great car... All tubs had to go back to the factory for some reinforcements and tub flex issues
14 way better
16 that car is amazing I hear never owned or drove one
Now if u have the $$$ it's the most fun u can have with your clothes on!
[/IMG]
03-07-2011, 10:29 AM
#37
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03-07-2011, 11:08 AM
#38
Burning Brakes
Do u remember the rear spindle issue?
They wer machined wrong and didn't have a beveled relief in one area making them snap
Lazzaro went airborne backwards into turn 1 at Nazareth at 140 mph
We were given one right rear replacement properly made
Talk about doubts driving an oval flat out
They wer machined wrong and didn't have a beveled relief in one area making them snap
Lazzaro went airborne backwards into turn 1 at Nazareth at 140 mph
We were given one right rear replacement properly made
Talk about doubts driving an oval flat out
03-07-2011, 11:21 PM
#39
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Do u remember the rear spindle issue?
They wer machined wrong and didn't have a beveled relief in one area making them snap
Lazzaro went airborne backwards into turn 1 at Nazareth at 140 mph
We were given one right rear replacement properly made
Talk about doubts driving an oval flat out
They wer machined wrong and didn't have a beveled relief in one area making them snap
Lazzaro went airborne backwards into turn 1 at Nazareth at 140 mph
We were given one right rear replacement properly made
Talk about doubts driving an oval flat out
03-08-2011, 11:04 AM
#40
Burning Brakes
Yeah the 8a sucked.... I LOVED my Ralt RT-41... got it down to a 1:18 at mid Ohio indycar w/e finishing 8th if i recall
Its out there still racing
My 8a is no more.... Don't know what oval did it but it got written off...
Its out there still racing
My 8a is no more.... Don't know what oval did it but it got written off...
03-08-2011, 06:42 PM
#42
Quit Smokin'
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Choosing an atlantic for a first track car is the equivalent of learning to fly in a F-16. The $50k buy in is just the tip of the financial iceberg on an atlantic. The care and feeding is where the real cost is. I'd disagree with the above posts about your safety. An atlantic is a very safe car to crash. They have excellent driver protection with a full carbon fiber tub. Unfortunately, you are likely to learn about the crashworthiness of your new atlantic the hard way.
I would agree with most of the above advice. Try a race school in an open wheel car to see if it's for you before you buy one. I've owned a standard formula mazda and currently race a pro formula mazda. Standard FM's, formula fords, and formula continentals would make a better choice choice of first race car than an atlantic, F1000, or pro FM. The FE cars have been plagued by gearbox issues. The Radical is a reasonable choice if you know you don't want to race, but is uncompetitive with other sports racers in anything except the radical only race series. If you live where there is a radical series it's worth considering, otherwise I'd probably choose something else.
Driving a sports racer or openwheeler in a trackday environment is like riding secretariat with a bunch of clydesdales. You'll be held up all the time and have to putt putt around the corners. If you have access to a country club track with an open wheel run group, you may love it even if you choose not to race. If you do purchase an openwheeler or sportsracer don't be surprised if you're racing it pretty soon after purchase.
I would agree with most of the above advice. Try a race school in an open wheel car to see if it's for you before you buy one. I've owned a standard formula mazda and currently race a pro formula mazda. Standard FM's, formula fords, and formula continentals would make a better choice choice of first race car than an atlantic, F1000, or pro FM. The FE cars have been plagued by gearbox issues. The Radical is a reasonable choice if you know you don't want to race, but is uncompetitive with other sports racers in anything except the radical only race series. If you live where there is a radical series it's worth considering, otherwise I'd probably choose something else.
Driving a sports racer or openwheeler in a trackday environment is like riding secretariat with a bunch of clydesdales. You'll be held up all the time and have to putt putt around the corners. If you have access to a country club track with an open wheel run group, you may love it even if you choose not to race. If you do purchase an openwheeler or sportsracer don't be surprised if you're racing it pretty soon after purchase.
I really think that a spec Miata or Spec Racer Ford would be WAY better than starting with an atlantic car. If you had to go to a formula car, I would try to find a Formula F car that is running a Honda Fit engine. I really believe you could have some low maintenance fun in one of those if you don't bang it up too bad while you are learning.
As for me, I decided to go with a shifter kart. This will be my first season, so I don't have much to reflect so far. I can say that it is wicked fun based on some parking lot testing.
Lastly, be sure to get logbooks and HOMOLOGATION PAPERS if you're buying an open wheel car, especially if it is older than 10 years. I deal with this paperwork for a living, and the older cars can sometimes be really be tough to get into compliance.
Last edited by Auto_Werks 3.6; 07-10-2013 at 11:22 AM.
