My Computer Ninja

k24ArielAtom

Ariel and TMI Autotech today announced a new 2.4L K-series Honda powered Ariel Atom. This engine upgrade will likely give the base Atom 200hp and likely around 160 lb/ft of torque, if they use the k24 found in the TSX. These numbers might come in slightly lower if they choose the k24 found in the more common Accord, but that would make no sense.

The base model K20 powered Atom is still a rocket ship, so the new powerplant upgrade is a welcome surprise for anyone in the market for an Atom with their eye more on the base model. No word yet on whether Ariel and TMI will be offering the supercharged K24 as an option yet. Here is to hoping!

икониПравославни икониI spent some time at Unser Racing, an indoor Karting venue, in Denver, Colorado this weekend, and it was a great time. It was my friend Tom’s 30th birthday, so for a present I bought him a 5 race package to complement a 5 race deal for myself. I have been Karting before in Arizona at F1 Race Factory and had a great time, and Unser Racing is no different.

Unser Racing has 1 speed Honda powered racing karts that can probably hit 50 MPH, running Hoosier racing tires. They can hold more g force in a corner than most road cars and are a real kick to drive. In order to drive one, each racer has to go through safety briefing to familiarize themselves with the flagging system and the kart controls. Then you don your racing gear and helmet and hit the track.

Unser Racing’s course is pretty technical, with several lower speed hairpins and front and back sweepers that really test your physical conditioning and driving ability. The average lap time is around the 20-21 second mark, with younger drivers running in separate heats in slightly underpowered karts from the older drivers. The fastest time I was able to put in was a 20.5 second lap, and with 7 minutes of track time per session, 18-20 laps is more than enough to wear you out.

Their system is pretty cool to keep track of races paid for and run, as I bought a 5 race package but was able to do only 3 races before feeling totally wiped out. They kept the other 2 races in my name and I was able to come in and race again the next day.

I gathered from talking to some workers that there are big plans for more and longer tracks in the future, with indoor and outdoor tracks in the same complex coming in the near future. This may shape up to be the premiere spot in Colorado to go Karting. They also do corporate events and parties and things like that, so I may have to have a chat with my companies owner about where to have our next team-building event..

All together, I had a great experience, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to test their chops in a serious racing environment.

Unser Racing
7300 N. Broadway
Denver CO

The Honda k-series is proving a force to behold, as the Prayoonto Racing Supertech Integra posts a blazing 8.65 @175 mph pass with Jonathan Reynolds at the wheel at Maryland International Raceway. This is the fastest time yet set using the new generation K-series engine from Honda. Look forward to this weekend, as the third annual Airwerks Borg Warner $10,000 Outlaw Shootout goes down at Englishtown Raceway Park, Oct 9th and 10, as part of the 12th annual Sport Compact Fall Nationals. Smart money may be on B-series power, but will Reynolds be the first to turn up the wick and capture the $10k prize from the tried and true B-monsters? It’s going to be an interesting weekend…

Thanks to GreasyBlocks.com for breaking the story.