Ariel Atom gets new Cup Racer series in UK

The Ariel Atom is about the purest street-legal sports car you can buy. Known for its radical tube frame, minimalist bodywork and insane power-to-weight ratio, it is one of the quickest cars on pavement. Owners have also found them to be a natural on a racing circuit.

So it comes as little surprise to hear of the Atom Cup. In a nutshell, the Atom Cup is a new spec racing series starting in the UK next year (think along the lines of the Ferrari Challenge and Porsche Cup series) with races held at circuits such as Brands Hatch and Silverstone.

While the Ariel Atom doesn't need much in the go-fast department (the Honda 2.0-liter four-cylinder, rated at 245 horsepower, remains mostly unchanged), the 'Cup Spec' vehicles will be upgraded with a rollover cage, twin master cylinders (to adjust brake bias), six-point harness, Race Technology LCD dash display, additional protecitve bodywork, race-tuned suspension and Yokohama slicks.

The Ariel Atom Cup Racer weighs just 1,125 pounds - about 800 pounds lighter than a Lotus Exige - and it will sprint from 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. Sounds like fun.