In the new Civic Si's first sanctioned motorsports event (there has to have been at least a few, ahem, "unsanctioned" events before that) Honda campaigned two identically prepared near-stock machines and wound up first and second in their class. Driving the winning car was Kim Wolfkill of Road & Track (who, despite his employer, is pretty quick), and Honda employees Lee Niffenegger, Chad Gilsinger and Matthew Staal. The second place car had Tony Swan of Car and Driver, and Honda associates Sage Marie, Rich Hays and John Sherk behind the wheel. The Civics placed fourth and sixth overall in a total field of 58 cars, completing 645 and 641 laps, respectively, over the 25 hours.
The two cars, entered in the E1 class, were prepped by Engineers from Honda R&D Americas in Ohio and were essentially stock except for a custom AEM intake, DC Sports exhaust, H&R springs, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup competition tires on lightweight Rays wheels. A carbon fiber-front splitter and adjustable rear spoiler constituted the sole aerodynamic modifications. "These results certainly validate the performance credentials of the new Civic Si," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda. "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."
Sema JettaWe skipped over VW's display during last month's SEMA fiesta, so consider this a make up.
The company brought three "R GT" machines with them to the show in Las Vegas, and this is the Jetta R GT (we'll skip over the Touareg, and the Passat is below). Most of the pieces on it come straight from the Genuine Volkswagen Accessories catalog, including the body kit and lowering springs. The car looked good but the drivetrain was untouched 2.0T - turbocharged 2.0-liter.
Rumors & Lies* The city of Burlingame, California is considering a law that would make it illegal to be a spectator at "sideshows" where people gather to spin their cars and act generally goofy with them in otherwise empty parking lots and industrial areas. According to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle the proposed ordinance would target spectators within 200-feet of such an exhibition.
* According to a report by WOAI in San Antonio, Texas, teenager Robert Hernandez loves his 2001 Integra enough to withstand a beating for it. Hernandez had just gotten into his car at a local convenience store when would-be thieves wielding a pipe rushed up to grab it from him. Hernandez was beaten with the pipe but wouldn't give up his ride. They wound up doing about $2,000 damage to the car, including breaking the windshield, and Hernandez was left bruised and swollen. But he kept his car. By his standards, things could be worse. "Somebody else could be taking it apart," he told the TV station, "not me."
* According to reports, VW has established "Project Malibu" which has 23 employees living in or near Malibu, California in order to get a better feel for the lives and markets of America. Hey, a tanned and relaxed VW may be a better VW.
* DaimlerChrysler has sold its 12.4-percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors and resigned its seats on its corporate board. The companies will continue to collaborate on various vehicle projects.
* Audi will build a mid-engine street-going version of its R8 Le Mans racecar starting some time in 2007. The car is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo and is powered by the same V-10 as the Italian exotic. Oh yeah, Audi owns Lamborghini.