What is the Honda VTEC Challenge?

The VTEC Challenge is a new and exciting Race series which is running in conjunction with BARC - the British Automobile Racing Club and with support from Yokohama Tyres. The series aims to provide an ideal setting for the newcomer to racing to feel welcome, safe and to quickly learn the ropes and come up to speed alongside a mixture of novices and more experienced drivers. With full tyre sponsorship, on-site spares and service support and with a race car available from as little as £5000, the series aims to be a very financially viable series that caters for all Honda enthusiasts.

Why a new series?

Until recently, there were only a handful of Hondas racing on the same grid in the UK, but the VTEC Challenge aims to change that with full grids, huge support from the Honda community and plenty of action at premier circuits across the UK. In addition to a group of people already racing Hondas in various race series already, a number of Honda owners had expressed an interest in taking the next step on from trackdays and sprints, and going racing. It was, however, important to keep the same core values that form the ethos behind the track day club, i.e. safety, sociability and value for money.

How does it work?

A normal race weekend will involve 15 minutes of qualifying, plus two races of at least 15 minutes each so 45 minutes track time in total. We plan to keep things simple running just 4 which will cater for all Honda models. No Forced induction will be allowed (unless fitted to that engine from factory), although engine swaps into different models and engine enhancing modifications are all free providing the engine is originally from a Honda production road car. The classes will be as follows

1600 Production - Up to 1600cc Production* 1600cc cars with limited modifications

Production - 1800cc - 2300cc Production* cars (1.8cc-2.3cc) with limited modifications

Tuner - Up to 1800cc Heavily Modified/Engine swapped cars* up to 1800cc

Super Tuner Over 1800cc Heavily Modified/Engine swapped cars* over 1800cc and minimum weight 1000kgs

*Production - Cars not exceeding engine capacity of the max engine size originally fitted to that chassis type (e.g. EK - 1.6, DC2 1.8, EP3 2.0). Engine modifications free but must retain OEM Honda pistons and run a single plenum throttle body (i.e no individual throttle bodies)

*Heavily Modified/Engine swapped cars Cars fitted with engines exceeding the capacity of max engine size originally fitted to that chassis type (e.g. EG B18, K20 EK, H22 DC2) OR cars with engine modifications not permitted in Production classes (e.g. forged engines).

The only permitted tyres for the 2012 VTEC Challenge will be the Yokohama A048, putting everyone on a level playing field. The tyres will be heavily discounted if purchased through the nominated Yokohama supplier, so costs are kept to a minimum.

What are the projected costs?

Apart from the obvious costs such as your Honda Race car, National B race licence and Safety gear, we expect the costs to be around £300 for each Race meeting (Qualifying and 2 races) with an additional one off registration and BARC membership fee of £250 at the beginning of the year which entitles you to entry to the series plus lots of additional benefits.

How do I express an Interest?

You can get on the VTEC Challenge forum where all the relevant information will be easily accessible.