It's Alive! Hayabusa-Derived V8 Tested in Ariel Atom

We received the following note from Dennis Palatov of dp Cars. If you're not familiar with Dennis's exploits building his own track-day sled, the DP1, from scratch, you should get so. He's in the process of testing a 2.8-liter, 32-valve Hartley H1 V8, essentially two Suzuki Hayabusa engines made to occupy the same space, in an Ariel Atom before using it in his own creation.

I just drove the 'busa v8 equipped atom for the first time yesterday. That's the motor which is going into the production version of the dp1. Just putt-putting around for now but the motor sounds and feels awesome. the video doesn't really do it justice because of the electrical interference noise but with a decent set of speakers and a sub on a computer it gives you an idea. On laptop speakers all you hear is the noise :(

Sure, it's only an around-the block test, but the dramatic tension is palpable. Can you feel it? Can you? Say you can so we can move on. [dp cars]

Update on the DP1: Track Tested, New V8 on the Way

If you were skeptical Dennis Palatov could to get his DP1 street-legal track sled completed and into the hands of enthusiasts within this geological epoch, you've suffered a major setback. Since we last left Mr. Palatov and his team, they've completed track testing of the prototype, and will spend the winter cleaning up details like interior body panels, headlights and turn signals and getting a VIN and license plates (ugh, see you next epoch at the DMV). Then there's a matter making the brakes, chassis and drivetrain production-ready — and that means swapping in a new V8 to replace the Hayabusa powerplant. Oh, and the warranty will be one year. If you want one, let him know. – Mike Spinelli More »

DP Cars Update: We Have Chassis

Dennis Palatov and his cadre of motorsports engineers have been working feverishly on their DB1 adult go-kart since it was a mere cocktail-napkin sketch back in 2002. If you'll recall, Palatov dreamed up an all-wheel-drive, single seat track car, powered by a Suzuki Hayabusa engine and weighing in the sack-of-flour range. The team hit a milestone earlier this week, the exciting "driving the chassis in the parking-lot" stage. Palatov waxes philosophical:

A birth is an end of one process and a beginning of another. I have a lot of work ahead of me but I'm looking forward to it. Sometimes it's nice to have confirmaion that there just might be a method to my madness. For now the dp1 sits in the shop, resting. It was pointed out to me that it's a used car now. It's a good feeling.

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