My work is almost complete. I have been testing the bigger hp cars at Fuji Speedway '80's. This happens to be one of my favorite track because it is somewhat reminisant to courses I have run in a GTA car. I will give you my session notes for each of the following cars; Honda S2000, Toyota Celica SS-II, Honda Integra (DC5) Type R, Honda Civic (EP3) Type R, and the Honda Civic (EK4) Type R.
Honda S2000: A Plain-Jane type automobile. Off the shelf pretty good performance, the car seemed to be the quickest out of the box. When the mods were all over and done with, the S2000, in my mind, was once again the "pole sitter" among the cars. It produces the most horsepower, and conversly weighs the most. It is the easieset car to drive, for me, because it has nice weight distribution and as you race you can HEAR the motor and find your shifts and downshifts without keeping an eye on the tachometer. That allows you to concentrate on what is ahead and find the best line into upcoming corners. I happen to prefer the FR cars so this was a nice escape from the majority of cars I tested. Specifically on Fuji Speedway 1980's, I found a PERFECT set-up and was able to rip of stunning laps. I'm gonna give the car an A+, be on the lookout for set-up in the near future.
Toyota Celica SS-II: This was the car to set the pace at Fuji. I put in what I thought was an incredible lap, and felt quite good in a car I thought I wouldn't. The second car I took out was the one listed directly above. Apparently, the lap wasn't so great as I took it by FOUR SECONDS! I went back to the garage and made sure I had selected the right car, I had. Mulling over set-up for a good thirty minutes brought me a nice suspension set up that helped me in the ONE turn I had struggled in, the "tumor" I call it. It is the one on the bottom of the circuit, sending you right back on the 20-30 second run to the start finnish line. Generally it is an easy corner, brake late, attack later and you got it. BUT, the FF cars ALWAYS give me trouble there. So once I got the car dialed in it became more competitive, BUT on a course where power reigns supreme over ANYTHING else, the S2000 took the cake. Again, set-ups will be posted when they are confirmed by GN+, or when the official post for the use of these cars is created. The grade you ask? B.
Honda Integra (DC5) Type R: This car was a watered down, FF version of the S2000. As you may know, the S2000 sits atop the tables in my test sessions and I think, is the superior car overall no matter what. Because this car is a relation of the S2000, I feel I can only say the negatives for the car. In most ways, the way the car is set-up does not suit me. The Factory feel a stiffer suspension is out of the question and trying to get weight distribution in my favor, is a no-go. The car is underpowered, doesn't handle as well, doesn't have the top speed, doesn't brake as well, doesn't make the same noises so you cannot tell where you should be shifting. All-in-all this car is not it's older brother and certainly does not suit my tastes. On the bright-side, for all you FFers there, this car is very competitive with the SS-II, in a season series, the cars will be at a deadlock the entire way. I could see these cars potentially being superior to the S2000 at some tracks but, if there is a track where more than 70% of the time you are on the throttle, I think the S2000 will be defeated by it's stable mates Integra, and the two Civics. As far as a grade goes B, very similar to the Toyota, if I had to choose one car, it would come down to my alliances with the companies, I am not telling you which I would choose.
Honda Civic (EP3) Type R: Heavier than expected the car still performed brilliantly. Excellent weight distribution gave this FF an FR feel. Some FF purists and people that like to feel what they are driving while they are driving, will not like this. For me though, it was "good enough" to fit my tastes and therefore earns a good grade. Power was a factor and therefore the slightly under powered Civic was unable to catch it's big brother S2000. Grade: B+, I enjoyed this car, keep developing it and I may buy one Honda.
Honda Civic (EK4) Type R: The "ghetto" Civic. I always thought this would be a nice platform to tool around with. Some power boosters on top of a displacement up gave this car a nice feel. The EK4 is also the lightest car in the field at 987kg. Because of this I could see this car taking down it's...hmm... "fresher" brothers at some of the twisty tracks. Both FR lovers like me and FF purists will enjoy the feel of this car. A-, purely because of a fun to drive factor making it superior to it's twin Civic and the Integra-Celica sports cars.
I predict this class will be one filled with parody. Every dog WILL have it's day. Each car has as much chance to win as the next. I put a lot of emphasis on powertrain/drivetrain. I really think that FR cars are just better in every way to the FF cars. Though this field is a pretty stout one, MY nod goes to the FR S2000 because it would be easiest for me to adapt to. Cornering stability will be a factor and as the series wears on, the car may wear out, convertables are notorious for poor cornering rigidity and that will cost this car in later rounds. I myseld couldn't pick a winner in this championship, it will be entirely up to the drivers. Good luck to everyone.
Here is my little side note, I put so much opinion into this, one would imagine I was a member of the liberal media. JUST KIDDING, no harm done, eh? Anywho, the preceeding was entirely opinion with a good 25% fact. Any numbers or actual results posted are facts. Also, Fuji Speedway '80's will favor the big HP cars. The track is like 300000000000000% throttle so the big power of the S2000 was favored.
Thanks for reading.
Dave
!) ANYWHO! thanks, im sure some of our competitors will need it.
