Super Lap Battle 2012 at Buttonwillow Raceway

Yesterday was the final Super Lap Battle (in conjunction with Global Time Attack) for the year. Taking place at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, CA., it has proven to become one of the most anticipated events on this side of the U.S.A.

We were in attendance assisting any of the driver’s on TEIN suspension. For us, it was a narrow group- Evasive Motorsports with their S2000 (using our Super Racing dampers), Sportcar Motion with their Integra Type R (also on Super Racing dampers) as well as an FA5 Civic and Canadian Acura CSX both using our Mono Flex dampers. Another entry we came across was Bobby Lane Racing in their Accord (their Mono Flex damper setup is from a CL7 Honda Accord Euro R).

We arrived really early (7:30a) to meet with the teams and see if they needed any assistance from us. As experienced as these teams are in setting up their cars, there was very little for us to do except take some setting measurements and click settings the teams are using for reference.

TEIN Engineer, Shuichiro, getting data from the Sportcar Motion team.

Working with the Evasive crew and their driver, Robert Walker, to get their car dialed in.

We stumbled upon the Bobby Lane Racing team and their Accord using our Mono Flex dampers.

With each practice session having at least one TEIN-equipped car, we kept close to the hot pits. Our engineer, Shuichiro made sure to get as much feedback from the driver to see if any adjustments needed to be made. Again, maybe only a few click setting changes were done to the suspension, while some of the teams adjusted tire pressures. Lucky for us, Evasive Motorsports uses EDFC for their S2000’s Super Racing dampers. I’m sure our engineer appreciated that! Rather than having to lie down on the ground or get under the hood or rear trunk to make any damping click setting changes manually, the driver can make real-time adjustments to the dampers and stay out on the track.

Robert Walker pulling into the hot pits with the Evasive team standing by.

The morning sessions gave some of the best lap times. In Sportcar Motion’s case, their Integra Type R laid down a 1:54.2 lap time on the #13 track configuration that has become the standard for this event. That was a really good pace, and it looked like the car could even do better than that. Driver, Dr. Tim Kuo, was in pursuit mode the whole time, having very little issue with the Limited FWD class car. A broken 4th gear prevented any chance of getting in a faster time, but their time held as fastest of the day in their class.

Sportcar Motion’s red FA5 Civic Si piloted by Ken Suen was also on pace to beat their personal best. Mechanical issues brought the car in and prevented any futher timed sessions out on the track. Final time was 2:04.3 which netted a second place finish in Street FWD.

The Acura CSX also under Sport Car Motion’s stable clocked in a 2:03.

The Sportcar Motion trio all on TEIN dampers.

As for Bobby Lane Racing, they were hoping to best their 2:05, and in the end a 2:02.2 for the Limited FWD class. It was a great event for this small team!

That’s a familiar face! Dampachi along for the ride with Bobby Lane Racing.

Evasive Motorsports’ revamped Honda S2000 (newly boosted with the HKS GTSupercharger) went all out. New record for the Street RWD class now sits at 1:53.9 thanks to the newfound power. This car has 7 years of development into it, which has paid big dividends for all that hardwork. We’ll be working with them closely to help and develop the car for even faster times. Until then, a 1:53 lap will be the new mark for teams to achieve.

Evasive’s S2000 into the hot pits for some driver feedback.

Bobby Lane Racing Accord into the hot pits to discuss any changes in handling.

The Integra Type R from SportcarMotion was relatively trouble-free, making our engineer’s job a bit easier!

All in all, it was a good event with very little in the way of mishaps on the track. As the day temperatures got higher and as more cars went out for timed sessions, it proved to be harder for the teams to try and get faster times. It was great to see many of the teams socializing amongst themselves. I found it hard to differentiate whether these people were competitors or best of friends. We were thankful for the hospitality of each team. Bobby Lane Racing was nice enough to provide the TEIN staff with lunch- they came with their own grill to make burgers and hot dogs! Thanks, guys!

We look forward to next year. If the saying “Records are made to be broken” holds true, we may very well be seeing these guys best their current times.

Bobby Lane Racing’s owner and driver with TEIN Staff.

Evasive Motorsports crew with both of their race cars.

Congratulations to each of these teams for all their hard work and efforts. We’re glad we can be a part of it!

2012 HONDA CIVIC / ACURA ILX COIL-OVERS SOON TO ARRIVE!!!!!

Hey all 2012 Honda Civic Owners,


We are [FINALLY!] receiving the anticipated Street Advance and Street Basis coil-overs for the 2012 Honda Civic, which  are also compatible with the new 2013 Acura ILX.

 

We appreciate your patience. To all those who have waited for the products release, it has been a product long in the making for this vehicle, but we will finally have them in stock by mid October. These fit on both the regular models and Si versions. For the ILX, we tested on the 6 speed Premium model.

 

Street Basis GSHC0-1UAS2 Retail $950

 

Street Advance GSHC0-2UAS2 Retail $1,150

 

Coilovers for 1st Gen Integra & CR-X / 3rd Gen Civic

TEIN Authorized dealer Heeltoe Automotive specializes in Honda/ Acura tuning and asked TEIN to produce a coilover kit for the ’84-87 Honda CRX/ Civic and ’86-89 Acura Integra. The result is called the Medieval Pro Coilover Kit exclusively sold by HeelToe.

All product development was performed in our HQ in Downey CA and the kit is manufactured in our Yokohama Japan factory.

The kit has features similar to our Super Street coilovers. 16-way damping force adjustability with a ride height adjustable rear. The front suspension retains the standard torsion beam from Honda. Heeltoe allows customers to pick the TEIN rear spring rate and also offers different diameter torsion beams for the front.


Additional stock of these limited edition coilovers is now available through HeelToe. Please visit Heeltoe’s website at, www.heeltoeauto.com for additional technical information or to place an order.

2010 V6 Acura TSX

Testing on the 2010 3.5L Acura TSX has been completed.

Basic Coilovers (Part # DSB90-LUSS2) and Super Street Coilovers (Part # DSB90-KUSS2) are Now Available.
These part numbers will fit both 3.5L V6 and 2.4L I4 models.

The ride height drop for the 3.5L V6: Front -36mm and Rear -35mm

The ride height drop for the 2.4L I4: Front -39mm and Rear -36mm

The actual drop may vary by models due to the weight of different components (ie Transmission, Technology Package, etc.)

You will notice the dampers have been installed without the Springs, Bump Rubbers, and Dust Boots.
During one of our testing phases we check for the best possible ride height and clearance issues with our products and any of the vehicle’s suspension components, by taking measurements at various conditions of damper rebound and compression.

Here the car sits at recommended height with the OEM wheels. The tires tuck nicely giving an aggressive look.

Thanks to Honda Tuning magazine for letting us borrow their latest project vehicle. Be sure to check their website and issues when they hit the newsstand.