Suzuka Circuit FF Challenge Race - Tetsu's Tales

Straight Outta J-Pan. Engrish From Our Man In Japan. Read If You Dare.

 

One of Japan's famous race tracks, Suzuka Circuit organized FF Challenge race. The race included Honda Civic SiR (EG6/EK4) and Civic Type R (EK9). I think many people think EK9 is faster than EG6 but EG6 was the winner at the last race. The regulation of FF Challenge race says engine is stock. EG6's motor, B16A, can make 170ps; EK9's B16B can make 185ps. Why does the EG6 race with EK9? The answer: weight. The regulation says the minimum weight for EG6 is 890kg (1,962lbs) and EK9 is 920kg (2,028lbs)-weight is important for racing, tuning and fuel mileage. But lightweight isn't the always the correct answer. Some people put steel rims for FF drag racing; others put carbon hood for driving on closed race track. Good tuners and mechanics think about car's performance, its situation and balance for building/customizing cars. High powered cars aren't always the fastest cars. Japan's famous tuners and racing engineers say a car needs total balance so parts must be chosen carefully when they are building a race car. Some Americans buy Japanese coilovers in Japan and ship to USA but Japan-spec coilover setup is hard for US streets. Japanese streets are flat and mostly perfect. Japanese coilover companies test coilovers in USA and build US-spec coilovers, that's why they are more expensive than they are in Japan. They spend much money and time for developing coilovers for US market. If you would build your car for time attack or racing, choosing rims is very important. One Japanese race car engineer says rims is just one part of a suspension system; they absorb impact from the road along with tires, suspension and chassis. At one race, a team wanted to go one second faster on time attack; even changing tires, brakes, engine and making good time, they still could not do it. After changing new rims and exact same setup, they made one second faster easily. Racing teams with money change new wheels every race. I would recommend buying tuning parts carefully, especially if you want to save your money.

-Tetsu



-contribution is copied from SS magazine