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Its featherlight frame and single-seat cabin make the BAC Mono one of the most unique supercar experiences on the market.

While there are many sports and supercars which claim to offer a raw and engaging driving experience, few can compare to the BAC Mono. First released back in 2011, the original car was fitted out with a Ford 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. Having been tuned by Cosworth, the unit put out 284 hp—enough to propel the car to a 170 mph top speed.

The brand behind the car "BAC" or Briggs Automotive Company to give it its full name, was founded by two brothers in Liverpool, England. Coming from obscurity, the company now sells the Mono to markets across the world. Arguably the best single-seater sports car available, let's explore 10 reasons why you need to get behind the wheel of a BAC Mono.

Related: BAC Mono Breaks Goodwood Hillclimb Record

Unlike many sports cars, the BAC Mono has been designed specifically for the enjoyment of one person, the driver. There is simply no option to bring along a passenger, and arguably this is no bad thing.

Drivers are free to indulge their passion for speed, without any of the frustrations associated with a backseat driver.

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It is no secret that the less a car weighs, the faster it will go at a given power output. The Mono weighs in at just 570 kg, making it a seriously light car. When compared to other sports cars, even if they are not direct competitors, the Mono blows them out of the water.

The car's construction utilizes lightweight materials, and obviously, the open cockpit design cuts a lot of weight compared to a conventional enclosed vehicle.

The interior of the Mono has very little to offer, there is literally nothing in the way of creature comforts or infotainment. Instead, the pure focus is on providing the driver with the most involving drive possible.

BAC prides itself on supplying a vehicle specifically designed to meet the needs of the owner, stating "The Mono is yours – and only yours”. To this extent, BAC tailors the car to you, helping you achieve a perfect driving position. Buyers attend a fitting session, in which they must sit on a mixture of beads and resin, to get an outline of their body. The finished article should fit perfectly, and provide a driving position suitable for maximum performance extraction.

Just like the seats, the steering wheel of the Mono is specifically engineered to fit the driver like a glove. To achieve this, a clay model is heated, and the impression is used to work out where the driver grips hold of the wheel.

A strong and comfortable grip is essential, especially when it comes to extracting the power developed by the mighty engine. In the style of a Formula One car, the wheel is removable and must be taken off to enable both entry and exit from the cabin. Owners really feel like they own a racecar, it is a very special experience.

One of the car's biggest strengths is its handling ability. Possessing such a compact body form and being extremely lightweight, the car will go exactly where the driver wants, with little to no under or oversteer.

A low center of gravity is one of the major contributors to this fly-like agility. The excellent suspension system is another, pushrod-activated wishbones found on the front and rear help ensure a highly engaging driving experience is achieved.

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The centerpiece of any high-performance vehicle is its engine. Under the bodywork of the Mono lies a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The unit puts out a generous 309 hp and considering the Mono only weighs 570 kg, this is some serious power.

All this energy means the Mono can catapult from 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds, before continuing on to a frankly scary 170 mph. The engine has been developed in collaboration with Mountune, a brand synonymous with extremely high-performance race and road engines. It is a seriously exciting partnership.

The Mono is most comfortable in its natural habitat, the track. While the car can make use of the roads, a car with this much performance is just aching for some track usage.

When on the track, what quickly becomes evident is just how much more of a weapon the Mono is than other track-focused cars enthusiasts may have experienced. Even when compared to cars like the incredible Porsche 911 GT3, braking can be made even later, and acceleration is even more rapid. The Mono is pretty much unrivaled in a circuit environment.

Helping the car achieve that all-important low weight, is the widespread use of carbon fiber. While the car has a relatively limited number of body panels, ensuring they are constructed using this lightweight material improves the performance figures greatly.

Carbon fiber was no doubt also chosen for some of its other properties. The material is physically strong, and also good at absorbing vibrations, providing stability. Given the car's high top speed, it is exposed to significant aerodynamic forces, and therefore a highly technical material was required. The carbon fiber used is an advanced form, having been impregnated with graphene, increasing strength and weight.

Decent stopping power is in many ways as important as rapid acceleration. Throughout a circuit lap, a lot of time can be gained by getting the car slowed down quickly. Great brakes inspire confidence, drivers then feel far more comfortable braking late, just as the greatest racing drivers do and lap times tumble.

British brand AP Racing is the chosen supplier for the Mono's brakes. PRO 5000 R, Two-piece forged aluminum calipers are fitted, allowing the discs to be forcibly grabbed. AP Racing has been producing quality components for many years, and they even supply brakes for Bugatti and Lotus.

It is almost slightly unbelievable that a car as raw and track focussed as the Mono, could possibly be road legal. Surprisingly, this is even the case in the US, which has very strict rules and regulations related to the types of cars permitted to drive on its roads.

A single-seater race car, for the road? It just doesn't sound plausible. Thankfully for us gearheads, it is. The Mono offers one of the most unique road driving experiences anyone is likely to have, both now and probably going forward.

Benjamin has always had an interest in all things automotive. He is a keen follower of Formula One, and is particularly enjoying watching the rise of George Russell and Lando Norris. He is most knowledgeable about modern cars, but is learning more and more about classics. Currently based just North of London.