VIDEO: Ayrton Senna laps Suzuka in an NSX
With superfast Imprezas and Skylines galore, Japan has produced some impressive performance cars, but only one bonafide supercar: the NSX. Honda developed the groundbreaking all-aluminum exotic with input from the legendary (and tragically short-lived) three-time F1 champ Ayrton Senna, who drove several Honda-powered grand prix cars throughout his career.
In this phenomenal video, Senna drives the NSX-R around Japan's Suzuka grand prix track (which is owned, of course, by Honda). The real treat is that inside the cockpit were mounted three cameras: one showing the steering wheel, shifter and road ahead, another on the pedals and a third on the gauges.
Regrettably, like the champ's life and career, the video is too short at less than three minutes, so savor the moment.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mike 3:38PM (12/07/2006)
The whites socks are a riot .......
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Mike 3:08PM (12/07/2006)
The white socks are a riot .......
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MCS05 3:11PM (12/07/2006)
That sure made my day. Senna was my first and only racing hero. Still makes me sad to think back to Imola, May of 1994...
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Paul 3:12PM (12/07/2006)
What is the suzuki?
Is it china or india company?
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emor8t 3:14PM (12/07/2006)
the white socks and black dress shoes rock!
(Ok, so the guy could drive, but he couldn't dress?)
BTW Guys, the last line = tackiest ever.
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Gooch 3:31PM (12/07/2006)
If I could drive like Senna, I wouldn't give a damn what a bunch of goobers said about my shoes and socks.
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TheOne442 3:33PM (12/07/2006)
Yeah this guys really smart, no safety equipment, no helmet. sucks he's gone and I know he was good but c'mon don't drive with sandals on. There is a difference between being a good driver and a safe driver.
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sean c 8:53PM (12/10/2006)
Japans only super car? What about the Supra?
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Bradica 3:46PM (12/07/2006)
This test was taken in early 90s (or even earlier), so before you make any comments about Senna's shoes and socks - check out your family albums, find your own photos taken sixteen years ago and have a nice laugh.
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Quills R. Optional 2:29AM (12/08/2006)
About the socks: If he was wearing dark socks, as well as dark shoes and the dark pants, the camera wouldn't be able to show any of his foot-work. They're white so that we can see them!
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chlorine 4:13PM (12/07/2006)
@#9, you on crack comparing a Supra to an NSX?
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epp_b 4:29PM (12/07/2006)
I had to chuckle at all the little Japanese men sweating in their boots hopeful that Senna emerges from the car with a big grin on his face and a hop in his step. Then he just gets out of the car as if he just went for a country drive and basically says, "um...sporty, safe, torquey...yeah, whatever".
I suppose nothing really seems all that exciting when you're accustomed to 200+ MPH in a Formula 1 car ;)
["What is the suzuki?
Is it china or india company?"]
Suzuka (
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epp_b 4:43PM (12/07/2006)
["What is the suzuki?
Is it china or india company?"]
Suzuka is a Japanese Grand Prix Circuit. It hosted the second last race in 2006's Formula 1 season.
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Alex V. 4:36PM (12/07/2006)
Hmmm I seem to remember that Senna actually took part in the development of the NSX (same way Schumi did for the Ferrari Enzo).
Given that, I would have been suprised if he didn't like it.
Senna looks just like I remember him - emotional, loud, can't stop smiling. Yup.
A loss to the sport and the world.
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Japan 4:56PM (12/07/2006)
NSX-R is a super sport? Give me a break. I may be the fastest car Japan has produced, but it’s not nearly is a true super car league. Corvette for ½ the price is faster and better equipped. M5 is as fast, but it has a lot more than Civic’s interior. NSX will always remain an overproiced “Ferrari” wanna-be, with Ferrari “inspired” design (just a rip-off), cheap plastic and fast looking, but not driving abilities.
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Jake 7:54PM (12/07/2006)
flip flops & socks! pimpish!! just needed to rock some sweat pants
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Matt Dell 5:31PM (12/07/2006)
"Yeah this guys really smart, no safety equipment, no helmet. sucks he's gone and I know he was good but c'mon don't drive with sandals on. There is a difference between being a good driver and a safe driver."
It's not uncommon to not wear a helmet in a street car on a closed circuit. It's when you have an exposed roll cage that you NEED a helmet. People drive the Nurburgring all the time without a helmet.
And, he's not wearing sandals, he's wearing loafers. Honestly I'd rather be wearing loafers than sneakers since they're thinner.
In short, I don't see him being unsafe at all. Plus he had more talent in his little finger than any of us have in our entire bodies. I don't see how anyone could criticize him for this... especially those of you who don't even know who Ayrton Senna was.
-Matt
PS - to Japan, a supercar isn't defined solely by its performance. It's that performance along with its rarity and impracticality to only be a racing machine.
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alex hofstetter 5:49PM (12/07/2006)
Senna was a racing God. Yes, he drove Honda powered cars for a long time and was involved at some level with the development of the NSX.
By 1993, he was driving a ford powered Mclaren, so this video was from 1992 or earlier. I've actually seen it before.
in 1993 Ron Dennis was paying him $1 million per race. He would show up on Friday, qualify and race, and then go home. I think he won 5 or 6 races that year in a customer Ford battling Alain Prost who was driving the unbeatable (for that time) Williams Renault. Senna might as well ahve been driving a tractor. Michael Andretti was his team mate in 93 and managed one podium and a handful of finishes before he quit in disgrace.
Senna was THE MAN and always will be.
RIP Ayrton. You are still my hero.
Hey Matt Dell #15 - we hang at the same car places - Grandpa Rex
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Hey idiot... 5:55PM (12/07/2006)
>> Corvette for ½ the price is faster and better equipped. M5 is as fast, but it has a lot more than Civic’s interior. NSX will always remain an overproiced “Ferrari” wanna-be
Yeah the Corvette of today compared to the NSX, which was designed in the mid/late 80's. You could throw 80's Vettes, or anything else the "big 3" had to offer in the 80's or at any time before that and the NSX all day and it would eat them alive on any track that wasn't straight.
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Chris 6:23PM (12/07/2006)
The 2002 (or 2003, can't remember exactly what year it was made) NSX-R is faster than a 360 Modena and 996 GT3.
It isn't supposed to be well equipped either. It's a true sports car; mid-engined, no traction control, no ABS, no power steering. Just a pure driving machine, something that a cruiser like a Corvette could never be (note I'm not talking about the Z06 here, it's ridiculous to compare a new 500hp car with an old 300hp one).
But on another note, Japan's real supercar is the Nissan R390 GT1 road car. While the NSX/NSX-R might be a Ferrari of Japan, the R390 is the McLaren F1 LM of Japan.
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