I haven't driven a manual in months

"Leon711" (leon711)
10/19/2015 at 06:09 • Filed to: Tea, Ariel Atom, Brands Hatch

Since I got my GTI (which is DSG) I haven’t driven a manual, today that changes for I am to drive an Ariel Atom at Brands Hatch. I’m excited and way too early so I’m sat a service station with some Tea.

UPDATE. Disappointment strikes! A sudden deluge means they cancelled my slot to reduce risks of crashing, then because they didnt have all the cars present (some were in service) we couldn’t get out when it cleared so I rebooked. On the bright side I did get a new record for MPG in the GTI, 43.3

DISCUSSION (22)

pip bip - choose Corrour > Leon711
10/19/2015 at 06:16

English breakfast tea?

Green tea with peppermint?

earl grey?

Svend > Leon711
10/19/2015 at 06:16

Good luck my friend, go forth with lead foot.

Love me some Costa coffee (latte).

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Leon711
10/19/2015 at 06:17

The Ariel Atom is without a doubt the most incredible thing I’ve ever driven. Enjoy it man.

PS, the gearbox pattern is super close together, I accidentally went from 2nd to 5th instead of 2nd to 3rd because of it.

Leon711 > pip bip - choose Corrour
10/19/2015 at 06:19

Breakfast, but I am about to have an early lunch.

Leon711 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
10/19/2015 at 06:21

Noted, hopefully I don’t embarrass myself but it is cloudy and cold today.

Leon711 > Svend
10/19/2015 at 06:23

The foot will probably not be that heavy, I dunno about opp norf but daaaaannn saaaff it’s cold and cloudy, so little grip I imagine

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Leon711
10/19/2015 at 06:25

I was 19 and didn’t even own a car when I drove one, yet my only cock up was that one shift, I’m sure you’ll be fine. It does like to break loose as you’d expect though, I caught a bit of oppo on one corner.

Wheelerguy > Leon711
10/19/2015 at 06:28

Holy shit you’re driving an Atom.

Leon711 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
10/19/2015 at 06:41

Should be a jolly old time, if it’s anything like the last time I did one of these in an Aston I won’t be the slowest.

Leon711 > Wheelerguy
10/19/2015 at 06:42

On a legendary ex-F1 circuit too!

Cé hé sin > pip bip - choose Corrour
10/19/2015 at 06:42

If Costa did those, I’d be a bit surprised.

Cé hé sin > Leon711
10/19/2015 at 06:43

Remember to keep it on the island.

Leon711 > Cé hé sin
10/19/2015 at 06:44

As in Great Britain? I’ll try to keep it on that but I can’t promise that. I might make it to Ireland.

Cé hé sin > Leon711
10/19/2015 at 06:49

As in http://johnscabin.com/slang/O.html

Svend > Leon711
10/19/2015 at 06:55

Oop north it’s a tad chilly, cloudy but dry.

Have a fun time today.

Tareim - V8 powered > Leon711
10/19/2015 at 07:08

remember to use the clutch when coming to a stop lol after driving my semi-auto for quite some time when I got back in a manual I forgot about using the clutch when coming to a stop lol

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Leon711
10/19/2015 at 12:53

Have you ever been go-karting? I’d imagine the Atom is like that but so much faster. Is it the full circuit you get to drive, or is it a shorter configuration? Also, make sure to let us know how the experience was and upload any video (if you do take any).

Leon711 > gin-san - shitpost specialist
10/19/2015 at 12:56

Sadly due to an administration error, I didn’t get to do it today, in fact the racing school weren’t there today it was another. I have a new booking at a greatly reduced rate when it’s a bit warmer. It’ll be the Indy Circuit and I won’t be so intimidated in nice weather.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Leon711
10/19/2015 at 13:10

That’s not too bad - the Atom being what it is a bit warmer weather is nice, hopefully it should help with tire temps and grip as well. A bit of inconvenience for a "greatly reduced rate" seems well worth it. Same thing applies: let us know how it went afterwards! Brands Hatch indy looks like a lot of fun (from my extensive video game experience).

Leon711 > gin-san - shitpost specialist
10/19/2015 at 13:49

I’ve driven it in an Aston Martin V8 Vantage on a similar thing, it was great and the Aston was a friendly car to drive. I’ve never driven anything with the engine behind me, except a kart so the Atom should be a new experience.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Leon711
10/22/2015 at 12:27

I starred this, and then realized it was cancelled... Anyway, very jealous that you’ll have time in an Atom soon.

Leon711 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/22/2015 at 12:28

Was cold and raining, not ideal but will be warmer and drier when I go again in April.