Matthew Ellis took on a new challenge last season, racing in Ariel Atoms finishing on the podium and racing on tracks he had never raced on.

It was a season that was definitely one of development for Matthew but one that will stand him in good stead for the 2016 season.

Speaking to Kent Sports News about the season and what it is like racing an Aerial Atom, Matthew said: “The Ariel Atom Cup race car is a very raw and unique experience; the cars now iconic layout really does make it different to drive, especially on the limit.

“I love giving people an experience of this car; usual first responses cannot be written here however, brilliant and physical will make do. It’s such a concoction of stimuli to take in, being able to see so much of the car working and functioning around you, having the huge throttle body screaming away inches from your left ear and having to hold on tight and drive the car manually all whilst you get thrown around within.

“I cannot recommend the experience enough, proper old school manual fun, nothing is taken care off for you, no abs, no traction control, no power steering, no stability management and no automatic gears, it’s a beautiful 6 speed H pattern and all the better for it.”

We asked Matthew whether it was a difficult car to get used to racing and whether set-up is totally different to anything else that he has driven.

He added: “Its mid/rear engine biased, that then sends the power to the rear wheels provides a huge amount of traction, allowing the car to launch of the line with figures like sub 3 seconds to 60mph.

“It’s weight balance is very much rear biased, this provides a fun challenge when driving, set up obviously plays a huge amount in the handling characteristics, however on turn in to a fast bend you tend to lose a bit of entry speed to pick the throttle up earlier than in most race cars to help rotate and drive the car through the apex and out of the bend as quickly as possible, this is often referred to as a “four wheel drift”.

“Ironically the faster you drive these cars the easier it becomes, they float around and move under you more gradually, carrying more speed and being more forgiving, it’s at slow speed and applying more throttle do they become snappy and hard work.

“Set up again is slightly different for the atom car due to its layout; all race cars require careful tracking work, corner weighting and playing with toe/toeout, in addition to these the atoms absolutely adore negative camber, the more the better especially in qualifying, however to aggressive and with the weight out over the rears they will soon over heat fade and wear out. Tyre pressures are typically lower than you would see in most race cars, 16/17psi depending whether it is a 15/20 minute race, far lower than a ball park figure of 20-24psi that you will find a large number of other race cars and series float around.

“The car creates all its traction mechanically, to be in proper “cup” race spec they should have none of the aesthetic wings that you may see on an Ariel Atom road car. This means all is mechanical grip and when car decides it’s had enough of gripping and staying inline it’s slightly less aggressive than if it was to run on slicks and have aero, however many have been caught out badly and I am sure more will do in future, you certainly need to be awake when driving one at 100%.”

Looking back on his first season racing these cars, it was clear that Matthew was pleased with the progress that he has made.

“I’ve had a promising first season racing these cars, almost every race weekend has been at a new circuit to me, so it has been a steep learning curve but one I have very much enjoyed. I may not have taken any poles or race wins… just.

“I have been priding myself on being only a few tenths here and there of the very best lap times, despite minimal testing if not none before qualifying due to a non-existent budget this year, which can only bring promise and high expectations, goals and I hope achievements next season.”

A highlight for Matthew was the race at Castle Combe Race circuit in September and he explains why the race was so good.

He said: “A good race day to talk about was at Castle Combe on the 5th of September running in the 750mc sports specials series, this was a last minute decision to do this one day event, I turned up at 7:30am having never previously been there before, and within two hours did my first laps round there in qualifying, just what you want. I believe I qualified 4th out of a 28 car grid, and 2 of the cars in front being eclipse SM1’s having a considerable bhp per ton advantage in the class I was running, I was fairly happy with that.

“Race 1 arrives, form up, I get a great start and take the lead into the first corner, this race was an action packed affair with a brief safety car and back markers to contend with. I led the race from the lights in a fierce battle with not one but 3 off Eclipse’s behind me in a 15 minute nose to tail side by side battle. Last few laps I was struggling more and more with the rear tyres going off, a too stiff a suspension set up was causing me all kinds of troubles through the bumpy chicanes and putting these two issues together made defending a very hard uphill battle.

“Last lap comes I manage to eek about a 1 second gap across the line, this was the most comfortable lap yet, but no a huge unexpected slide through old paddock bend cost me loads of time along the back straight and cooked the surface of the rear tyres, into tower bend I can see 2 eclipse’s in one mirror and another in my right mirror. I manage the tyre, slides, moves and block them into bobbies chicane, the softer kinder eclipse fire out of here so well, unfortunately in the run to last corner I left 101% width of an eclipse on the inside and credit to Paul he slotted it directly there, we slide and fight absolutely side by side through the last bend and across the line where I was deemed to have lost by a circuit record of just 0.003 of a second. Gutting to say the least, but a race I learnt an awful lot from and wouldn’t change the outcome off, I just look forward to next time now.

“Race 2 was a similar affair a close 3 way battle for the lead with me chasing the two eclipse’s from the word go, a great race, attacking and having to gain time through back marker traffic to stick with the lighter and faster eclipse’s. So a 2nd and 3rd place in my first day ever at Castle Combe, I suppose it could have gone far worse!”

With the debut season not bringing wins it did bring podiums for Matthew and they aren’t taken for granted that is for sure.

He added: “What do the podiums mean to me? Certainly not just a trophy, that’s the extrinsic reward, that and the congratulations you receive. I am not arrogant nor ignorant in my thoughts but confident, I know I can go on to win races and championships dominantly in the future, just like I did in karting at a younger age, and this year winning the British 24 hour race in Teeside; given the opportunity, team and members around me I believe I can do it; I am only just getting started and have been learning and throwing myself in at the deep end, so far I’ve proved to be very capable and dealt according and naturally to every challenge placed in front of me. “

With 2015 now firmly over, it is time to look forward to the 2016 season which is just around the corner for Matthew.

“I hope to carry on, coaching in the atom, racing at every opportunity available in the Atom as I just adore driving them and continue to improve myself as driver, you never stop learning. Like every young driver I want to progress up the ladder, I have looked into a few series for next season; Mini Challenge, Michelin Clio Cup, Ginetta GT5 championship and a number of others, but again like most young drivers I am governed by money and how many partners and sponsors I can get on board this journey with me.

“It really has been a great year for me, met a lot of new people, been fortunate to coach, race, sprint and test a huge variety of cars with positivity and success coming from all of the above; my real highlight would have to be winning the British 24 hour karting race, it was such an exhausting full on ordeal, 4 drivers, 2 hour stints and 110% flat out the entire way with such stiff competition, never has the win felt so good. Just a mega experience, and one I am in no rush to forget. Also it only strengthens my desire to make it into the endurance race circle with the ultimate goal of Le Mans one day.”