On-Track Behavior/Lap Time
Buttonwillow Raceway's clockwise configuration #13CW course involves elevation changes, sweepers and tight esses. It's also home to the Super Lap Battle finals and a good balance between a power track and an autocross track. This would also ensure easy comparison to the times set by some dedicated time attack cars. Senior Editor Andy Hope put on his game face to test all 10 cars. Each would be prepared, handed over, and driven as fast as it could go. All entrants were given five consecutive laps, with no changes or adjustments made in between.
The Honda S2000 showed a definite improvement with aerodynamic aids and larger tires, with the top four spots going to cars with rear wings-the two fitted with 255-width front tires did exceptionally well. The top-spot Spoon Sports machine (which was more racecar than street car) came with monoblock brakes, solid engine mounts and some modifications not allowed by our rules, including wider fenders and other body work. Its almost three-second advantage over second place is impressive, but it really can't be compared with the others on equal ground.
Ride Quality
Along with frequent contributor Mike Kojima, Editor Joey Leh carried out an OEM-style ride quality evaluation.
Leh and Kojima were looking for comfort, suspension noise, driving stability and the ability to soak up bumps and undulations. All impressions were carried out on the same route from Buttonwillow Raceway, which included a freeway drive, a steep driveway ingress/egress and a circle around downtown Buttonwillow's war-zone-like city streets. Tuners were allowed to make adjustments before handing the car over for testing, but none were made during the drive route. Because there is no real standard for what is 'comfortable', each assessment is for a comfort level relative to the stock AP2-chassis S2000.
Damping Quality
Using all his experience as a suspension engineer and club racer, we let Kojima loose on Buttonwillow Raceway's West Loop for some on-track impressions of damping feel. Each S2000 was given two laps under Kojima's lead foot and judged on damping feel, style and behavior. As difficult as it was, Kojima had to leave out his impressions of braking ability, acceleration and balance. Because this was a suspension test only, Kojima had to focus solely on that aspect of each car.