Some track cars are built up to be do-it-all machines that are equally adept at autocross, time trials and more. This Elan NP01 is not one of those cars.
Instead, Tom Hahn’s NP01 is a purpose-built track car designed to compete in the NASA Prototype racing series.
Weighing in at only 2366 p…
I saw that on the accepted entries and was like.. Oh an NP01 wonder how stock it is, that will be interesting to see it's times..
None stock.. That thing is going to be RAPID.
That's the power/weight ratio of my track Miata, but the aero is a whole lot better. That sounds like a whole lot of fun.
Stock engine is a 2.0 MZR, aka NC Miata engine. NASA claims 1500 lbs stock weight, and I suspect that 2366 lbs is with a driver because I found a bit more on the car that says it's 2068 "dry".
https://www.tapouttuning.com/walking-away-from-full-race-prepped-vipers-and-more/
I'd love to know more about what was done to harden it. I did find a video. Looks sporty.
From those YouTube comments:
"I actually rebuilt the whole chassis to fit the V6 and I replaced the Sadev with a Holinger transaxle"
"I also upped the tubing size one size to accommodate the added weight"
Cannot wait for an article on this thing.
I hope these changes included fixing the horrible angle of the drive axles on the original design. 
Not unusual in WRL to see these cars having to change axles during the races because the CVs destroy themselves.
Keith Tanner said:That's the power/weight ratio of my track Miata, but the aero is a whole lot better. That sounds like a whole lot of fun.
A buddy got a chance to drive an Ariel Atom and BMW M7 on the same track on the same day. The Atom had superior power-to-weight, but the M7 had superior aero and got the faster lap time. Having both qualities is a serious track weapon.
In reply to kb58 :
Having driven an Atom on track, they're not as impressive as their Top Gear appearances would have you think.
I've been on track at the same time as a fast formula car - I have it as a Formula B in my notes, but I don't think that's correct. I don't think his power/weight was all that far off mine but holy cow I could only keep it in sight for about 30 seconds.
Seeing an NP01 go pretty cheap on BAT a while back I got interested... it's a really interesting package. Ultimately decided it wasn't the right fit for us, but I do think it offers a lot of performance/cost.
This thing looks nuts! Can't wait to read more about it.
Keith Tanner said:In reply to kb58 :
Having driven an Atom on track, they're not as impressive as their Top Gear appearances would have you think.
I've kinda noted the same thing over the years. Why do you think that is? I've always figured it was the extra crappy aero, but I've sometimes wondered if there were more to it. Maybe some less than stellar suspension or chassis design?
Not that they're not fast or cool, and admittedly I've never driven one. Just that I've noticed they're not FTD setting when you might think they could/should be.
Very flexy chassis, falling rate suspension, bad aero and a very short wheelbase for the track width are the biggest problems I think. The one I drove wouldn't take a set in a corner, it was always twitching around. Also, atrocious gear change but that may have been the implementation on the one I drove. Check out Dennis Palatov's Atom build at DPcars, it's a good read.
My theory is that every UK car designer has to design "the modern Lotus Seven" and the Atom is a show car that was dramatic enough to get produced. If you read old Evo tests of them, they weren't all that kind to the car until Ariel jammed enough power into the back to overwhelm everything - and then the Top Gear test happened and it became an icon. They're an amazingly cool looking car but they're a little more show than go.
You'll need to log in to post.
