The Motul Honda Cup is spreading its wings with a new production-based class for 2.4-litre cars and it’s getting the vtec ball rolling by building the first three cars itself.
The category has purchased four 2.4 litre, six-speed Honda CL9 Accord Euros which have been fitted with a Schedule A compliant roll cage. One is already sold, with two more for sale and the final one which will be used for a part-funded scholarship project. The cars only require a seat and harness to go racing.
The class will sit alongside the smaller capacity N1 class and will also introduce more contemporary racing Hondas to the championship which still has Civics and Integras as its bedrock.
“With the very popular, very impressive but very cost effective Honda 2.4 litre motor fitted, these cars represent a great way to get into racing,” explained Honda Cup’s Martin Dunn, who races a similar car in the series and is masterminding the project.
“For racing in the M1 category, there will only be minimum changes allowed to the specification of the car, but they represent a great starting point where a driver can gradually modify the car and develop it down known paths using well tried and tested parts and upgrades.
“There is no reason the cars could not be immediate class or race winners, and be developed into very fast Honda Cup cars. They will also be perfect for the winter two hour races in the North Island Endurance championship.”
The cars have been built by long-time Honda Cup racer and Honda mechanic Andrew Johnson and will be introduced for the 2022-2023 season where the Honda Cup will run all of its rounds within the Speed Works Motorsport Championship series.
Main image: Matt Smith
