Yokohama supports Formula Four and Atom Cup in 2013

The new Ariel Atom Cup car

Following a hugely successful year of motorsport in 2012, the Japanese brand of high performance and motorsport tyres, Yokohama, is looking forward to another noteworthy season this year. Continuations of existing relationships and new race series will see even greater penetration for the brand in motorsport, in the UK throughout 2013. 

The brand has been selected as control tyre for two of the newest and potentially most exciting formulae for the 2013 season. Formula 4 is a new series, run by the British Racing Drivers' Club, the BRDC. Based on identical cars owned and run by teams or individual drivers, the series is based on three races per weekend at some of the UK's most prominent circuits. Identical engines, transmissions and chassis but with huge set-up options mean that the emphasis will be on drivers feel and ability, generating what promises to be exceptional racing. 

Another new series to feature Yokohama as control tyres is the Atom Cup, the first race series created for race-prepared versions of the legendary high-performance Ariel Atom road cars. The series will feature two races over each race weekend and visit eight circuits around the UK. The series will be run under three packages, catering for drivers with a wide range of budgets and based on the success of similar series run in America, should provide excellent, cost effective racing for experienced, as well as novice, drivers. 

Yokohama will continue with its numerous relationships with race and rally series in the UK, including Formula 1000, which allows young drivers to start in rallying before they turn 17, the Caterham Academy and of course, Sports 2000. It will also continue as tyre supplier to the Irish Touring Car Championship, which sees exciting racing in a two-class structure in Ireland, for Touring and Super Touring-specification cars. 

The UK distributor, Yokohama HPT Ltd, will also introduce the new radial tyres for sidecar racing, an area it has enjoyed notable success in recent years, particularly in the world-famous Isle of Man TT races. Tyres are already in production for F2 specification outfits and testing on F1 class machinery will begin in the New Year. 

Commenting, Head of Motorsport at Yokohama HPT Ltd, Mark Evans, said; "2012 was a fantastic year for Yokohama in all forms of motorsport and it looks as if 2013 will go one step further... In the UK, we're very excited to be involved in both Formula 4 and the Atom Cup. F4 looks to be a fantastic start in single seat racing for up and coming drivers looking for a series that will allow their talent to shine through. And the Atom Cup has given racers something they have been looking for for some time - a genuine race series for the Ariel Atom."
For more information on Yokohama and its motorsport involvement, go towww.yokohama.co.uk. 

Check out our interview with Atom Cup series director, Mark Harrison here

Autosport International 2013 : Ariel Atom Cup - Video Interview

Our presenter, Chris Lucas, meets Atom Cup organiser Mark Harrison to talk about the first one make racing series for the Ariel Atom at the Autosport International Show 2013

Autosport International 2013 on Overdrive-uk.com

Autosport International 2013 is set to be just as popular as last year's show

It's that time of year again - our annual trip to Birmingham's glittering National Exhibition Centre for the now traditional kick off to the new motorsport year. As usual, we'll be taking our cameras along to bring you the best video features from the world of British Club and National motorsports. Whilst our regular presenter Rosemary John takes some time off due to injury, Chris Lucas takes over the reins and the microphone and will be catching up with some familiar faces and new innovations alike.

Highlights this year will include

• Ariel's new Atom Cup car and championship
• Karting action from the Johnny Herbert Celebrity Karting Challenge featuring Kart Force and Ben Collins
• BARC and BRSCC's plans for the new season
• Highlights from the Live Action Arena
• And some familiar faces from years gone by.

To keep up with our latest videos, keep watching this website - you may like to google+ or bookmark it - follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. You can also subscribe to our Youtube Channel, or just hit the link marked Overdrive-TV up there on the top.

This is Overdrive!

Here are our videos from the 2013 show so far

Ariel takes the Atom racing in new championship

Ariel Motor Company’s latest offering, the Ariel Atom 3.5, will make its UK public debut at The Performance Car Show on 12-13 January 2012, held at Birmingham’s NEC.

One of the fastest cars money can buy, the new Atom 3.5 features a host of updates, including a boost to 310bhp with the supercharged version of its 2.0-litre Honda iVTEC K20Z4 engine. British designed and built, it accelerates from 0-60mph in just 2.7 seconds and boasts a top speed of 155mph.
The Atom’s iconic look remains, but with a stiffer chassis, improved balance and traction, it’s even more fun behind the wheel!

Debuting alongside the new road-going mean machine is the race-ready Ariel Cup, which has been specially designed to compete in Ariel’s new one-make race series, launching in 2013 and visiting tracks such as Silverstone and Brands Hatch. The Ariel Cup is powered by a 2.0-litre Honda Type R iVTEC engine and features more enclosed bodywork, a modified chassis, rollover protection, race instrumentation and Ohlins suspension.

One of the world's most recognisable cars!

“The Atom is one of the most unique cars in the world and we’re delighted to debut these new editions to the UK public at The Performance Car Show,” said Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel. “Moving from road to racing is something that we’ve long talked about. We’ve worked hard to make sure the Ariel Cup is right for on-track competition and we’re looking forward to the public’s feedback at the show.”

“The Atom is one of the most exciting cars around, and it’s great to host the first public showing of these fantastic models,” said Paul Garlick, PistonHeads.com Brand Manager. “Renowned for its looks and even more so for its performance, both the new road-going Atom and its racing counterpart are set to be outstanding to drive.”

Ariel’s new offerings will be on show at The Performance Car Show alongside a host of the most coveted supercars and sports cars from top manufacturers, including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Audi, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

Tickets for The Performance Car Show are on sale now, priced at £31 for an adult and £20 for children (under fives are free). Tickets also include entrance to sister show Autosport International, which features some of motorsports finest cars and top racing stars.
For more information call 0800 581 1419 or visit www.pistonheads.com/show.