Benoit Theetge interview

[Lud]

Benoit Theetge has agreed to an interview for a feature on this website. So, I am soliciting questions you guys would like to see in the interview.

For anyone who just got back to the planet Earth recently, Benoit and his team Theetge Motorsports campaign the red #73 NSX this year in the GSII class of the Grand Am Cup Street Stock Series. P.D. Cunningham (of RealTime Racing) has also been co-driving with Benoit some this season.

Benoit has been racing for over a decade and has been campaigning an NSX for the last couple years (it had a white paint scheme before).

More background at:
http://www.benoittheetge.com
http://www.grand-am.com

[This message has been edited by Lud (edited 03 October 2002).]

 

[nsxtasy]

What are the differences between the car he campaigns and a stock NSX?

Does he own a street NSX?

What is his daily driver?

How did things come about that he's racing an NSX?

Does he get support from Acura HQ?

Would he like to come to NSXPO 2002 in Texas next month?

 

[DONYMO]

What improvements(in order of importance/impact) to a stock NSX would have the greatest impact on lowering lap times at a course like Watkins Glen or Mid-Ohio or Road Atlanta?

 

[NetViper]

What is his opinion on going with a Super/Turbo Charger for the NSX. What would he do and why?

 

[cmb]

track driving tips?

teach us to drive like him!!!

------------------

NSX/S2K/WRX/CRX

[This message has been edited by cmb (edited 03 October 2002).]

 

[nsxtasy]

How does he pronounce his name?

 

[ScienceofSpeed]

Disadvantage/Advantage of the NSX as a racing platform?

Major hurdles in building the NSX as a race car?

-- Chris

------------------
Revolutionize your NSX with ScienceofSpeed
www.ScienceofSpeed.com | [email protected] | 877-863-4520

 

[matteni]

Where is the dumpster near his shop where he piches all his "go fast parts" that he doesn't want anymore?

 

[8000RPM]

Does he feel that the mid-engine layout of the NSX give him any type of unfair competitve adge?

Oh, and who is the better driver? PD or Benoit?

 

[POWERED by HONDA]

How much does it typically cost to run the NSX for one race weekend?

 

[len3.8]

How much of a race is mental preparation and how much is skill?
How does he get back to focus when/if he loses his nerve?
Len


[This message has been edited by len3.8 (edited 03 October 2002).]

 

[effer]

I would like very much to know his opinion and evaluation about track behavior of a stock and fully race modified NSX and also in comparison with other fine sports cars like the:

360 Modena
F355
Vipers
Z06
Diablo
911TT

if possible.

Considering his great racing experience he will be able to give us some interesting informations about our competition!

In a few words: what to know about our NSXes and what to know about the others...

 

[POWERED by HONDA]

What kind of rules have been set on the NSX that limits it's capabilities on the racetrack? (To keep good competition.)

What are some rules that the other cars get that gives them a good advantage?

What are some rules on the NSX that gives it a good advantage?

 

[nsxbadboy]

What is the average rainfall per year in Zimbabwe?

joe

------------------
97 NSX-T BBSC Spa Yellow
93 Supra TT T-61
97 Viper GTS w/Corsa,K/N

 

[BLACKL@BEL]

Originally posted by nsxbadboy:
What is the average rainfall per year in Zimbabwe?

joe

LOL, that would be a good question, but I think we have to keep it relevant to the nsx though, and I don't believe Zimbabwe has anything to do with the nsx

 

[erobbins]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
How does he pronounce his name?

I believe that Benoit is pronouced "Ben-wa", and Theetge is pronounced "Teeg" (long e, hard g).

EDR

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by nsxbadboy:
What is the average rainfall per year in Zimbabwe?

32.7 inches per year in Harare, according to http://www.worldclimate.com

 

[cojones]

car specs here --> http://www.benoittheetge.com/francais/voiture.html

3.2L motor
- increased redline (8200 rpm)
- front/rear coilovers, Comptech toelinks and rear swaybar, Realtime front swaybar
- Hawk brakepads, Eibach springs
- 17/17 wheel/tire setup -- Hoosiers
- OE 6-speed tranny and R&P
- lightened to about 2900 lbs

 

[Lud]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far! If anyone has more, speak up now! This is the last call for questions - I'm going to sort through them all and put together the interview this weekend.

 

[Markbert]

How'd he get into racing?

Favorite tracks?

Cars that he is passionate about aside from the NSX, and why?

...

 

[nsxbadboy]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
32.7 inches per year in Harare, according to http://www.worldclimate.com

Hahaha too funny.

Joe


------------------
97 NSX-T BBSC Spa Yellow
93 Supra TT T-61
97 Viper GTS w/Corsa,K/N

 

[POWERED by HONDA]

Does he need another co-driver?

ME! ME! ME!

 

[Lud]

The interview is posted. See the main page of the site http://www.nsxprime.com

 

[8000RPM]

Thanks Lud! Great interview!

Interesting insights presented regarding the 3.2L engine being able to handle heat better than the 3.0L...

 

[sjs]

Thanks Lud. I completely missed this thread the first time through. If he entertains follow-up questions I’m curious to know more about suspension, brakes and wheels/tires. He said the only suspension mods were toe links and such yet he later said they run a very stiff suspension, and that it tends to oversteer requiring a big front bar. He likes the brakes which might be stock but he didn’t really say. If not, then what do they use, if stock then what pads do they like? What fluid do they run? I’m also wondering which wheels/tires the use and in what sizes. Does the series have a tire sponsor or is that selection open? And lastly, how tall of a person will fit given the roll cage? Or more specifically how much room available from tailbone to top of helmet?

$7500/race for a seat. I wonder if he’d throw in a small space on the car for a sponsor?