Filed under: Motorsports, Convertibles, Honda
Honda S2000 CR campaigning in 25 Hours of Thunderhill
Click the image above for more high-res shots of the Honda S2000 CR.
Honda has remained a formidable force at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, an annual event held at the Thunderhill circuit between Sacramento and Redding, California. The automaker has campaigned a number of vehicles at the 25-hour enduro over the years, including a duo of Civic Sis and a handful of Acuras. This year, Honda's bringing out its newest track slut, the S2000 CR, to compete in the Performance Touring C segment. Not only is this a chance for the automaker to show how competitive the new lightweight variant of the S2000 can be on the track, it's also rolling proof of how it can be adapted for serious competition. Two S2000 CRs have been outfitted with a McMahen Autosports cage, BF Goodrich g-Force R1 racing tires, a single outlet exhaust sourced from AEM, Cobalt Friction XR racing brake pads and Goodridge stainless steel brake lines.
We're in the midst of contemplating coverage of the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, and if we do make it up there to live blog the event, we'll be keeping a close eye on the Honda boys.
[Source: Honda]
Gallery: Honda S2000 Club Racer
PRESS RELEASE
Seeking to highlight the on-track potential of the new 2008 S2000 CR, Honda announced today that two S2000 CRs will race in the annual "25 Hours of Thunderhill" endurance race on December 1 and 2. Billed as the "most severe endurance race on the planet," the 25 Hours of Thunderhill will mark the first time the 2008 S2000 CR will compete in a sanctioned motorsports event.
Cars in the race will be driven by two teams of four drivers comprised of Honda associates from its various North American operations, and two members of the automotive media.
Engineers from Honda R&D Americas built the cars to National Auto Sport Association (NASA) Performance Touring C (PTC) specs in an effort to demonstrate the on-track performance capability of the S2000 CR. The modifications were kept simple to show how easily track-day or amateur racing enthusiasts can convert their own CRs, and take them to the track. Each vehicle will be outfitted with a McMahen Autosports Roll Cage, BF Goodrich g-Force R1 DOT racing tires, custom single-outlet race exhaust by AEM, Goodridge stainless steel brake hoses and Cobalt Friction XR series racing brake pads.
Honda has already established a successful track record at the Thunderhill competition. In 2005, Honda associates campaigned two identically prepared 2006 Civic Si racecars which placed first and second in class and fourth and sixth overall in a field of 58 cars.
Building on the already great qualities of the S2000, the S2000 CR introduces more track-oriented suspension settings, aerodynamic-enhancing bodywork, a removable hardtop, higher rigidity and reduced weight to the S2000 formula. The added features are designed to appeal to enthusiasts who enjoy open track-day events and to provide a more ideal starting point for racers who modify the S2000 for competition in club racing events.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Richard 6:39PM (11/07/2007)
it will be interesting to watch and see if the can better the effort from the BMW team last year.
it would also be interesting to see AutoBlog coverage of an event I'm actually participating in (crew member). hint hint. it's a blast!
Reply
Damon Lavrinc 6:57PM (11/07/2007)
Which team?
Richard 8:49PM (11/07/2007)
C-Note Racing/Highlander Motorsports
Datsun 280Z
Oldest car last year, finished 5th OA, 4th in class.
Darrell 7:24PM (11/07/2007)
Excuse me, it's track whore! Get it right!
Reply
914RSR 7:46PM (11/07/2007)
If you do cover the event, I think you'll find that there is a member of the MSN Autos (http://autos.msn.com) driving on one of those factory Honda teams.
mike 12:28AM (11/08/2007)
Why doesn't honda give us a hybrid or high mileage diesel version of this car? That would be interesting.
Reply
Leaf 10:00AM (11/08/2007)
Because Honda knows that most people who want hybrids aren't interested in hybrid versions of a particular car. That would make a little too much sense. They want a special "green image" car, so that they can tell the world how "green" they are by driving a hybrid car.
As for diesel... keep dreaming. Perhaps one day.
Oh yeah, and then 2008 is probably the last year for the S2000. It's almost 10 years old.