Ultima Evolution
Discussion
BogBeast said:
Well, some of the speed bumps/humps in Oxfordshire present me somewhat of a challenge. they seem to be of many different dimensions and I can touch (cloth..) when going of many of them. Either way, the approach to any of them is typically at walking pace.. Note that one of the most recent popular topics on the forum here is lift kits 
I have raised the ride height of my Ultima by 20mm front and rear so that speed humps are less of an issue. My splitter probably protrudes a little more than the standard car and I found it an issue, especially in France where most towns and villages have numerous speed humps.My splitter is timber, mounted to the chassis and not the front clip, and still grounds quite often, but it is more of a scuff really. Important not to be 'on the brakes' when 'mounting' though.
Hmm, my comments on Atoms.
On the right track they are very quick - a power circuit will always suit an Ultima better, a shorter, tighter one will suit an Atom - they have far less weight so are much more nimble in the tighter stuff.
Atoms, especially the 3.5s are incredibly capable cars on track, I’d suggest an average ultima would struggle to keep up with one.
Comments based on a few fun track days with people who can actually drive the things.
Edit to say - I’d love an Atom but just don’t like the engines they have, good power plants as they obviously are.
On the right track they are very quick - a power circuit will always suit an Ultima better, a shorter, tighter one will suit an Atom - they have far less weight so are much more nimble in the tighter stuff.
Atoms, especially the 3.5s are incredibly capable cars on track, I’d suggest an average ultima would struggle to keep up with one.
Comments based on a few fun track days with people who can actually drive the things.
Edit to say - I’d love an Atom but just don’t like the engines they have, good power plants as they obviously are.
Edited by deadscoob on Thursday 6th September 09:41
Storer said:
BogBeast said:
Well, some of the speed bumps/humps in Oxfordshire present me somewhat of a challenge. they seem to be of many different dimensions and I can touch (cloth..) when going of many of them. Either way, the approach to any of them is typically at walking pace.. Note that one of the most recent popular topics on the forum here is lift kits
I have raised the ride height of my Ultima by 20mm front and rear so that speed humps are less of an issue. My splitter probably protrudes a little more than the standard car and I found it an issue, especially in France where most towns and villages have numerous speed humps.My splitter is timber, mounted to the chassis and not the front clip, and still grounds quite often, but it is more of a scuff really. Important not to be 'on the brakes' when 'mounting' though.
My shocks are a good few years old and starting to feel a bit soggy. Replacement shocks and springs (Nitron, probably, as they are quite close to me,) are creeping onto the agenda and may well feature the stance lift from the other thread..
deadscoob said:
Hmm, my comments on Atoms.
On the right track they are very quick - a power circuit will always suit an Ultima better, a shorter, tighter one will suit an Atom - they have far less weight so are much more nimble in the tighter stuff.
Atoms, especially the 3.5s are incredibly capable cars on track, I’d suggest an average ultima would struggle to keep up with one.
Yes the Atom is very agile, very responsive. I do plan to go over to the Ultima factory this week to take a look at one in the flesh and get a ride in one so I can see how it compares.On the right track they are very quick - a power circuit will always suit an Ultima better, a shorter, tighter one will suit an Atom - they have far less weight so are much more nimble in the tighter stuff.
Atoms, especially the 3.5s are incredibly capable cars on track, I’d suggest an average ultima would struggle to keep up with one.
Edited by deadscoob on Thursday 6th September 09:41
wannabe-racer said:
Yes the Atom is very agile, very responsive. I do plan to go over to the Ultima factory this week to take a look at one in the flesh and get a ride in one so I can see how it compares.
You will need to call first to book the test drive. Check the forecast as they don't do them in the wet.P
So, did a few laps on an Atom this afternoon. Can't say it impressed me greatly.
The biggest issue I had was the chassis frame beside my right arm. It prevented me using my right arm properly for steering and I now have a bruise where it kept hitting.
It is similar in handling to an Ultima but without the grunt. The track was small and more akin to a go cart track so the Atom should have been in it's element, but a well driven Ferrari 430 could pull away gradually. That would not have been the case with the Ultima on a fast circuit!
What did impress was the grip that proper slicks give in both the M3 and Atom.
I really must sort some wheels and modern track rubber for my GTR as I think it will transform the dry weather handling. The wet, maybe less so!!!
The biggest issue I had was the chassis frame beside my right arm. It prevented me using my right arm properly for steering and I now have a bruise where it kept hitting.
It is similar in handling to an Ultima but without the grunt. The track was small and more akin to a go cart track so the Atom should have been in it's element, but a well driven Ferrari 430 could pull away gradually. That would not have been the case with the Ultima on a fast circuit!
What did impress was the grip that proper slicks give in both the M3 and Atom.
I really must sort some wheels and modern track rubber for my GTR as I think it will transform the dry weather handling. The wet, maybe less so!!!
Paul,
What Atom was it?
As I’ve said before, I had a great time at Bedford with a 3.5R and it was very quick. The quickest road car I’ve come across after a 675LT on track. The one I played with would quite easily pull away from a 430 imo
I suspect they are similar in ways to Ultimas - they need to be a certain spec.
I think some people are fairly dismissive of Atoms, incorrectly imo especially for the later ones. Just like some people may be dismissive of an Ultima with an old engine and road based suspension I guess.
What Atom was it?
As I’ve said before, I had a great time at Bedford with a 3.5R and it was very quick. The quickest road car I’ve come across after a 675LT on track. The one I played with would quite easily pull away from a 430 imo
I suspect they are similar in ways to Ultimas - they need to be a certain spec.
I think some people are fairly dismissive of Atoms, incorrectly imo especially for the later ones. Just like some people may be dismissive of an Ultima with an old engine and road based suspension I guess.
This really depends on the Atom and it's setup as to whether or not it's as quick as an Ultima, as with the Ultima they vary greatly. A basic 245bhp Atom is vastly different from the supercharged Atom with Alcon's all round better suspension. Also the version of the Atom. The latest 3.5 is way better than the 2 for example.
The Atom should have easily been way faster than a 430.
The Atom should have easily been way faster than a 430.
I am not an Atomic expert but it was a 4 cyl supercharged one......
I had a nanny in the car with me who panicked when I started to get to oversteer levels of grip He grabbed the wheel and dumped the clutch - so we spun. Following a warning (don't be a bad boy again) I was basically running at 7/10 ths for the rest of the session.
Their nannies are all weekend junior racers but they are under orders to keep the cars on track, not in the fields. The fastest part of the track will see their fastest car hit 80mph, briefly. The Atom does the whole circuit in 4th. Gear changes make no difference to your time. My Ultima would be in second all the way.
They do have a McLaren MC12 GT3 that costs £99 for 10 laps - just a shame the track isn't Silverstone or Bedford!!!
They used to have an Ultima GTR with an LS3 but they had too many issues with reliability. The McLaren is it's replacement.
They thought I was nuts for driving one on the road.....
I had a nanny in the car with me who panicked when I started to get to oversteer levels of grip
He grabbed the wheel and dumped the clutch - so we spun. Following a warning (don't be a bad boy again) I was basically running at 7/10 ths for the rest of the session. Their nannies are all weekend junior racers but they are under orders to keep the cars on track, not in the fields. The fastest part of the track will see their fastest car hit 80mph, briefly. The Atom does the whole circuit in 4th. Gear changes make no difference to your time. My Ultima would be in second all the way.
They do have a McLaren MC12 GT3 that costs £99 for 10 laps - just a shame the track isn't Silverstone or Bedford!!!
They used to have an Ultima GTR with an LS3 but they had too many issues with reliability. The McLaren is it's replacement.
They thought I was nuts for driving one on the road.....
Agreed Wannabe.
The ls3 ultima was prob a Kyle rushall special lol.
So Paul what you’re saying is your appraisal of an atom vs ultima is based on being nannied and given it 7/10ths
I wish you were at the trackday with me, you would’ve been mighty impressed at how capable they can be, I’m pretty sure of that
The ls3 ultima was prob a Kyle rushall special lol.
So Paul what you’re saying is your appraisal of an atom vs ultima is based on being nannied and given it 7/10ths
I wish you were at the trackday with me, you would’ve been mighty impressed at how capable they can be, I’m pretty sure of that
It's pretty dangerous just grabbing the wheel like that and ruins the experience. It's a shame these types of "rent per lap" track day events end up like this. They might as well use a Clio cup car or Civic or something instead than supercars.
I do have the opinion you need the sequential gear box in the Atom as well, the problem with the manual on track is you have to take your hands off the wheel! I am hoping the new 4 car will have more options than just the Sadev.
I do have the opinion you need the sequential gear box in the Atom as well, the problem with the manual on track is you have to take your hands off the wheel! I am hoping the new 4 car will have more options than just the Sadev.
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/ariel-a...
Sounds good to me though the doubters here will still doubt
Sounds good to me though the doubters here will still doubt
Gassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff