BMW White Mountain says no Atom,no solo.

[CalypsoBean]

What can I say...I'm not big on biased rules,regulations and restrictions. Respect is something that is earned,not dictated. Next thing you know,they WILL have speed limits at HPDE outings...unless people vote with their feet. I'd rather walk than attend another BMW event at this point.

how many have you been to, and with which chapters?

[breakaway500]

One..a hundred..what's the difference? I can't use my Atom at any BMW event,so as far as I am concerned they can kiss my ass!

On a side note...a new Atom3 owner in N.H. (yea!) JUST emailed me about the same BMW white mountain event at NHMS,and I had to tell him that the "EVIL" Atom is banished from ALL BMW events.
He will be joining us at COM,though... Nice car..has the windshield option,Honda power with supercharger, and is street legal and registered in NH.

[CalypsoBean]

One..a hundred..what's the difference? I can't use my Atom at any BMW event,so as far as I am concerned they can kiss my ass!

On a side note...a new Atom3 owner in N.H. (yea!) JUST emailed me about the same BMW white mountain event at NHMS,and I had to tell him that the "EVIL" Atom is banished from ALL BMW events.
He will be joining us at COM,though... Nice car..has the windshield option,Honda power with supercharger, and is street legal and registered in NH.

Have you actually tried to run your Atom at a BMW Boston chapter event? By the tone of your post, I am going to guess that you haven't.

I think it's been well established in this thread that the Boston chapter welcomes convertibles. I think you misinformed your new friend. If I can run my Miata at their events - which I have done - you can certainly run your Atom, and so can he.

Why would you tell someone that Atoms are banned from all BMW events when this isn't true? How many times in this thread has it been stated that the White Mountain and Boston BMWCCA chapters have radically different rules concerning convertibles? I also posted a link to the BMWCCA Boston chapter convertible rules.

In any case, I hope the new Atom owner does some research on his own regarding what clubs he can run with, instead of just taking your word for it. I can't understand why someone would discourage another person when they have no actual experience with what they are talking about.

[breakaway500]

Ok..for the sake of argument,I emailed the BOSTON chapter of BMW on any restrictions they may have regarding the Ariel Atom and "open wheel cars",which I don't consider the Atom,but many do. Earlier on in this thread,several people stated that the main chapter, BMWCCA has said NO to open wheel cars.That is why I am assuming the Boston BMW chapter will not allow them.
I also asked them about their pre event safety inspection requirements, and if I can perform my own,seeing that I am a professional mechanic,or does it have to be inspected by one of their "approved" individuals.
I also asked who "approves" the type of rollbar allowed in convertibles,seeing as this is also not spelled out at all. There are no specifications and no guidelines that I could find.
....and here is a deal breaker for me; their fear of lap timers.They are not allowed,period. Those evil lap timers! I use mine to help me to learn the fast way around a track,because sometime what feels fast is actually slower.I consider it a valuable learning tool for track use.They could limit it's use to advanced students..but no..they are banned.
They also state that you are not expected to shift at redline or go through corners with the tires squealing.Hmm.....I better ask about their spin rule while I am at it.
I am beginning to see a pattern forming...

Yes..I understand this is a "school"..but surely their advanced solo students should be allowed off the leash? After all,we are on a race track.
Just because they allow Miatas to run with "approved" rollbars does NOT indicate they will allow an Atom to participate in one of their events.The cars are very different.
We shall see what their response is to my questions. Would you like to wager on the outcome?

[betelgeuse]

[quote="breakaway500"]
Just because they allow Miatas to run with "approved" rollbars does NOT indicate they will allow an Atom to participate in one of their events.The cars are very different.
[quote="breakaway500"]

Well, you're right about this statement. The atom is a purpose built race/track car.

I ran with the WMC last year when they started requiring a instructor to ride with every student. I didn't wait for him. When it was my turn to be on the track I went. He caught up with me the 3rd session.
I also had my traqmate (gps lap timer) in the car. The instructor saw it and didn't say anything. I drive the same at the BMW events as I do at the COM events and never had a problem.
The only thing I didn't like about running with the WMC is they required all the students to flag for 2 hours. This year they are going to have professional flaggers.

Greg

[CalypsoBean]

Ok..for the sake of argument,I emailed the BOSTON chapter of BMW on any restrictions they may have regarding the Ariel Atom and "open wheel cars",which I don't consider the Atom,but many do. Earlier on in this thread,several people stated that the main chapter, BMWCCA has said NO to open wheel cars.That is why I am assuming the Boston BMW chapter will not allow them.
I also asked them about their pre event safety inspection requirements, and if I can perform my own,seeing that I am a professional mechanic,or does it have to be inspected by one of their "approved" individuals.
I also asked who "approves" the type of rollbar allowed in convertibles,seeing as this is also not spelled out at all. There are no specifications and no guidelines that I could find.
....and here is a deal breaker for me; their fear of lap timers.They are not allowed,period. Those evil lap timers! I use mine to help me to learn the fast way around a track,because sometime what feels fast is actually slower.I consider it a valuable learning tool for track use.They could limit it's use to advanced students..but no..they are banned.
They also state that you are not expected to shift at redline or go through corners with the tires squealing.Hmm.....I better ask about their spin rule while I am at it.
I am beginning to see a pattern forming...

Yes..I understand this is a "school"..but surely their advanced solo students should be allowed off the leash? After all,we are on a race track.
Just because they allow Miatas to run with "approved" rollbars does NOT indicate they will allow an Atom to participate in one of their events.The cars are very different.
We shall see what their response is to my questions. Would you like to wager on the outcome?

no, i would not like to wager on anything. but I am happy to see that you are actually informing yourself on the topic before turning other people off from a club. an email may not get the answers you are looking for, I found the phone to be far more useful when getting my car approved.

many people benefit from running with both COM and Boston BMWCCA. Whether you do or not is none of my business, but at least you will know the answers instead of making assumptions.

[breakaway500]

"Well, you're right about this statement. The atom is a purpose built race/track car."

You obviously know nothing about the Atom.It is NOT a purpose built race/track car,to the contrary...it is intended for public road use in most states in the USA (and other countries). It can be titled,inspected and driven on 100% of the public roads in the USA. I am one of a few Atom owners who have modified their Atoms more toward track use than street use. As far as you being able to run without your instructor,or the use of your "evil" lap timer, I am very happy you got away with breaking their rules. However,I don't wish to attend one of their events hoping not to be caught. Some one on this very thread mentioned respecting a clubs rules,and that is always my intention.

As far as me running with the Boston BMW club or any other BMW organiaztion at this point,given their current posted regulations,rules and restrictions about event policies,they are already too restrictive for my needs.

Thank God there are clubs like COM,SCDA,NASA etc that allow participants to enjoy time on track, by the rules, without handcuffs or jumping through hoops.

[betelgeuse]

You obviously know nothing about the Atom.It is NOT a purpose built race/trackcar,to the contrary...it is intended for public road use in most states in the USA....

Still trying to convince everybody that its something that it isn't. You're a funny guy.
What is the v8 atom they are coming out with? Ariel's version of a SUV.

Greg

[breakaway500]

I think you are possibly irritated that a street car like the Atom exists,and you just can't understand it. That is basically your shortcoming.

[betelgeuse]

I think you are possibly irritated that a street car like the Atom exists,and you just can't understand it. That is basically your shortcoming.

I have many shortcomings. But knowing what your car REALLY was built for isn't one of them.

Greg

[breakaway500]

If the Atom is a purpose built race car..as you say,please tell everyone where do they all race? What series? Is there some secret society of "racing" Atoms that I am not familiar with?

Not everyone needs or wants an enclosed box to drive around in.

I am happy you have chosen such a box..but please...try to think..outside the box....

Think of the Atom as....a naked car.

[ATOM-NH]

Hi - This is my first post here. My thoughts on the Atom's purpose:

I'm the guy with the Atom 3 in NH. I bought the Atom with no intention of racing the car but got interested after Mark recommended the COM events.

Previous to buying the Atom I had purchased a Can-Am Spyder. I wanted the exhilaration of open-air riding and acceleration that I experienced some years ago on motorcycles but with the added stability that the three-wheeled Spyder afforded (I am 63).

On my first rides on the Spyder I almost crashed three times. Fortunately no harm done to me or the Spyder. My right hand would suddenly twist the throttle and I could barely return it to the closed position. After the third near-miss I realized what was going on. Last year I was diagnosed by a motor disorder specialist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital as having "Essential Tremor". It's a shaking of the hands that occurs when trying to execute fine motor skills. It happens to me constantly when using the mouse on the computer and most often while eating with a fork or spoon. With effort and concentration I can control it - a sure sign that it isn't Parkinson's. However on a motor vehicle I don't have the luxury of time when it happens. I decided that I needed to stick to a vehicle with a steering wheel and foot pedals. I have absolutely no trouble handling a steering wheel. After considering a number of vehicles including the Campagna T-Rex, Thoroughbred Stallion, and numerous Kit cars, I decided on the Atom.

The Atom is certainly the most exhilarating vehicle I have driven (including racing boats). It's highly visceral and its acceleration is thrilling on the open road. Its handling qualities and build qualities are superb. Plus there's the added bonus of people sticking their camera phones out their car windows to snap pictures as they pass on the highway.

If I never raced the Atom that would be fine. And from what I've read and heard, the majority of Atom owners use their Atoms as road vehicles. Mark Swain of TMI (the manufacturer of the Atom) tells me that 60% of all Atoms sold are delivered with windshields.

My interest in the COM events is mainly for the camaraderie and the chance to improve my driving skills. And of course as my skills improve, to kick Mark Stellato's ass -

John T.

[paultg]

Welcome to the club. It's clear you are going to fit right in!
That's one of the best first post I've read!

Paul G.

[ATOM-NH]

Thanks Paul for the kind words.

[breakaway500]

Hi John.Glad to see you on the COM forum,and welcome to the club! The Atom is not very mainstream,and there will always be people who don't understand the car for whatever reason. Personally,I like all cars and motorcycles. Some more than others. I have found COM to be filled with like minded people for the most part.As a whole, you will not find a better group of people to enjoy your Atom with.(or any car..)
I have come to prefer the handling characteristics of light,agile cars and the personal safety they offer over motorcycles,especially on track.The Atom is a car with all unessential weight removed in the interest of building the the lightest 4 wheel, 2 seater road legal vehicle possible. No matter what you add to a car for whatever convenience,it is adding weight. The Atom is a sports car built with the best suspension design possible fitted with premium brakes,and a chassis to tie it all together.It has minimal equipment for anything but driving. Less weight means you need less power to propel it to speed.It also means you stress every component less.Your tires do not have to work as hard.The brakes as well.
I really don't understand the resentment toward the Atom other than having to compete against one.
I look foreward to having you and other Atoms on track, and I sincerely hope you try your best to kick my ass! This will only make me faster.

I see Marcus has signed up for Monticello with his Atom3 and am also hoping to see Mark Swain from TMI (USA Ariel Atom builders)and possibly Fran Hall in his new single seat Nemesis:

Looking foreward to seeing you,and again,welcome!