The 2006 Civic Si factory competition version exhibited at
SEMA in November placed first and second in class in its
first competition event this weekend – the 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance
race.
The cars were prepared to National Auto Sport Association (NASA) Touring Car specs – a near-stock class selected by
Honda Americas to best showcase the performance capabilities of the Civic Si.
The cars were prepared by Honda R&D Americas, Inc., and driven by teams of automotive journalists and Honda
staffers. The winning car’s team included Kim Wolfkill of Road & Track magazine, while Tony Swan of Car and Driver
magazine joined the second-place team. Besides taking the top steps on the podium for the E1 Touring Car class, the two
Civics placed 4th and 6th overall.
Looks like Honda’s investment in the new Civic’s performance credentials is starting to pay off. Now let’s see if
Civic Si sales follow. Full press release after the jump.
[Source: Honda]
Torrance, Calif. 12/05/2005 ? Competing in its first sanctioned motorsports event, the all-new 2006 Honda Civic Si
placed first and second in class at the grueling ?25 Hours of Thunderhill? endurance race at Thunderhill Raceway Park
in Willows, California. Honda campaigned two identically prepared and nearly stock Civic Si racecars in the event,
which ran from 11 a.m. PST December 3 to noon on December 4 and is the self-billed ?most severe endurance race on the
planet.?
Driving the winning car were Kim Wolfkill of Road & Track magazine, and Honda associates Lee Niffenegger, Chad
Gilsinger and Matthew Staal. Piloting the second place car were Tony Swan of Car and Driver magazine, and Honda
associates Sage Marie, Rich Hays and John Sherk.
This year?s race featured 58 cars, and the 2006 Civics placed fourth and sixth overall, completing 645 and 641 laps,
respectively, on the 3.02-mile track. Finishing first overall with 665 laps was a Porsche 911 from Team Lost N Space
Racing.
?These results certainly validate the performance credentials of the new Civic Si,? said John Mendel, senior vice
president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. ?This effort is also an expression of the passion and racing spirit
existing within the many Honda associates involved in designing, and building the Civic.?
Engineers from Honda R&D Americas, Inc., in Ohio prepared the cars to National Auto Sport Association (NASA)
U.S. Touring Car Championship specifications in an effort to demonstrate the performance capabilities of the Si?s new
chassis architecture and powertrain. While the basic engine, transmission, and brake system remained stock, the Civic
Si?s 2.0-liter engine was enhanced by a custom intake from AEM and exhaust components from DC Sports.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup competition tires on lightweight Rays wheels, and custom H&R racing suspension
modifications completed the handling package. Enhancing the car?s aerodynamics were a carbon-fiber front splitter and
adjustable rear spoiler.
?We entered the cars in the E1 class because it features production-based cars, and we wanted to showcase the Civic
Si?s true capabilities under the most extreme conditions,? said Lee Niffenegger, team leader. ?We knew the cars would
be fast, so it was our goal to finish one and two, and we did just that.?
Honda has now established a successful track record at the Thunderhill competition. Last year, a nearly stock Acura
TL in race trim (built and driven by engineers from Honda R&D Americas) won its class and finished third
overall.
The Civic Si serves as the performance halo for the line of all-new 2006 Civics, offering a 197-horsepower, DOHC
2.0-liter i-VTEC(TM) engine connected to a 6-speed manual transmission and a limited slip differential. The 2006 Civic
was recently named Motor Trend Car of the Year, and the Civic Si went on sale at dealerships nationwide December 1.