Honda Challenge @ Sears Point

[Andrie Hartanto]

Over the weekend I was racing in Honda Challenge with a 1992 Civic Si powered by ITR motor.

This race is crowded with SoCal chapter came to visit us. The race is also ran with USTCC gridding in front of us, The Honda Challenge crowd, and then the SE-R cup guys from a standing start. The specmiata guys were behind us with second green flag with flying start.

This is my first standing start so I was a bit nervous. The SoCal boys came and lay down some smack down. They brought very fast cars, with great drivers. Most of them has power to weight ratio of 10.5lbs/HP with me trying to keep up at 12.5lbs/HP.

After winning the last race at Thunderhill, it doesn't seem to be possible this time. In the end, I end up with 3rd place.

For those who are interested, here is the in car camera from my car. Big file. And due to my bandwith limitation, it will only be up for a week. Please right click and save as.

http://www.sromagazine.com/movies/hondachallenge.wmv

 

[Kip Olson]

Hey Andrie, Watched the whole thing. Looked like lots of fun. Keep it up. Kip

 

[Hrant]

Awesome Andrie ...... you just need a little more hp and you would be really kicking some dirt, better talk to some of our friends in the foothills ...

Was surprised how the white Honda was able to stay and pull ahead on turn 2 and espeially 7 and the Ss when he was so much off line .... !! Did he blow an engine at turn 9? I saw him attempt blocking you at the insdide of 10 ....

H

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

Thanks Kip and Hrant. Yep, I need more HP.

I'm not sure what kind of engine and HP the white civic has. But he clearly has more power and utilize it good. He definitely pulls on me on the straight. Took me forever to try to pass him as he always protect his corner when I'm in striking distance.

I also tried to utilize faster car (2nd generation Integra) that I let by to try to tuck behind him when he passed the white civic. I let the Integra by, because he is not running for the points since he is using slicks, not spec tire.

My first ever standing start, and what a rush!

 

[Ponyboy]

Congrats Andrie! Great vid to boot. I'm very jealous of the standing start.

So when are you going to enter the NSX in H1?

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

We are waiting for the rules to finalize for 2004 season. Currently the rules for NSX is everything has to stay stock. The brakes is really not good under race condition.