2007 Ariel Atom First Impressions

Mention the Ariel Atom to most car fans, and chances are they'll immediately think of Jeremy Clarkson, pompous but charismatic host of BBC's Top Gear, face distorted like Silly Putty by the buffeting wind, screaming "I am an Alien!". That video clip of Clarkson test-driving the Atom on a racetrack (which ranked second only to the million-dollar Ferrari Enzo in their testing) was plastered across the Internet airwaves--helping to propel the English-built open-wheeler to legendary status amongst driving enthusiasts.

The Atom is an intriguing vehicle.

Yet to North American fans, it has remained tantalizingly unobtainable.
Until now.

Oregon-based company Brammo Motorsports obtained the U.S. licensing for the Atom , building it to designer Simon Saunder's specs--to the extent of trading parts back and forth with the British company.

It will be distributed in Canada by Trak Motosports of King City, Ontario and Surrey B.C.

Dave Gaudby, President of Trak Motorsports who has a self-professed "penchant for unorthodox vehicles", recently introduced the unique vehicle to a small group of auto journalists assembled at Shannonville Motorsports Park.

The Atom will become accessible to a wider circle of fans, thanks to the "Ariel Atom Experience" a driving event held at various Canadian Tracks throughout the summer. The "Experience" (or as the brochure charmingly puts it "welcome to your midlife crisis") is offered as a full or half-day event, ranging from $495 to $1,750 depending on how deep you want to reach in your pocket). For this, particpants receive on-track instruction, supplied helmets and racing suits, monogrammed driving gloves and in-car video.

Gaudby answered a question frequently asked by motorsports fans: why the Honda engine used in the British version of the Atom was replaced by the GM Ecotec powering the North American Atom 2.

The Honda mill was in short supply, at production time for one. The other reason Gaudby explained with an amusing anecdote starring one of the worlds's most famous car guys--Jay Leno. Apparently Leno wanted a U.S. Atom to add to his enormous collection, his only stipulation being that it be powered by the U.S.-made Ecotec. Leno placed the call to General Motors and set the wheels in motion for Brammo to obtain the engine supply.

This particular model is powered by a GM Ecotec engine.