If you read the title, and thought "hang on, there aren't any BTCC cars in GT4", you'd be right. As a fan of this race series, I thought it would be fun to try and create my own BTCC spec car - and you can see the result above.
Of course having created it, I needed somewhere to race it. I found myself in the Japan championship where I would up be against 400bhp plus tuner cars. In the first race at Fuji I got well and truly beaten, my car completely unable to compete on the long straights. However, the next race was at Tsukuba, and this tight, twisty circuit should suit the car better. It turned out to be the closest race I've had yet, so I thought I'd share the story.
Firstly the car. I started with a stock Honda Civic Type R '02, and then modified it to fit within the rules of the British Touring Car Championship. The resulting car kicks out 262bhp, weighs 1150kg, and has suspension and drivetrain mods that as far as I can tell fit within the BTCC regs. It's got 25 downforce, and normally runs R2's - however for this series race tyres are illegal, so it's sitting on the S2's it arrived with. Apart from dropping the ride height, I haven't made any attempt at tuning the suspension - to be honest, it's a lovely drive as it is so I haven't felt the need
So on to the race. Round 2 of the Japan Championship at Tsukuba Circuit, a short 10 lap run for glory.
The opposition (all tuned to around 400bhp) consists of:
Honda NSX Type R '02
Nissan 300ZX 2seater (Z32) '96
Toyota Supra RZ '97
Mazda RX-8 Type S(J) '03
Mitsubushi 3000GT VR-4 Turbo (J) '98
I qualified on pole, with the field behind me as above.
And they're off! From the start I manage to pull slightly away from the NSX through the twisty infield section - by T2 I've got around a second, and I'm starting to think this might be easier than I was expecting. Wrong! As soon as we hit the back straight, his 140 extra horses make their presence felt, and by the time we hit the final corner he's almost with me
At the end if lap 1, I have a slender 0.326 second lead.Lap 2 sees a similar story - I'm quicker through the twisty stuff, but he hauls me in on the straight. 0.4 seconds at T2 is down to 0.191 at the end of the lap. My tyres are coming in nicely, but I think the NSX's are too - he's getting quicker.
Lap 3, and things start to get interesting. Under pressure from the NSX I run wide coming out of the first hairpin, putting 3 wheels on the grass before dragging it back onto the black stuff.
Then under more pressure, I nearly lose the back end out of the second hairpin.
Unbelieveably, even with these problems, by T2 I've managed to get back up to 0.666 seconds (could this be an Omen
), and I've still got 0.239 come the end of the lap.Lap 4, and I'm trying to concentrate on hitting good lines, and keeping calm to avoid any more silly mistakes. The NSX is right up my tailpipe going into the first hairpin.
I keep it together this time though and manage to pull away a bit - 0.908 at T2, although it drops a bit to 0.262 come the end of the lap. Fastest lap so far - 1:05.842
Lap 5, and the NSX is definitely getting quicker. He's right behind me coming out of the first hairpin, and although I get the gap up to 0.771 seconds by T2, coming to the last corner he almost gets past
I manage to keep the inside and outbrake him this time, but I'm starting to wonder how long I can stay in front
Over the start/finish line he's closer than ever - just 0.182 seconds.Lap 6, and near disaster - I'm clean through the first hairpin and the esses, but I make a huge mistake at the second hairpin and run massively wide. I get it back on track still just ahead, but silly mistakes like that could cost me the race
After mowing the grass I calm down a little and try to concentrate harder - it pays off, even with the off I've still got 0.336 at T2, and it looks like I'm even getting the inside rear tyre to lift a little through the 3rd hairpin - just like a real BTCC Civic would
Come the end of the lap, I still have 0.263 seconds - I'm pleased with that considering I nearly threw it all into the crash barriers
Lap 7 is pretty uneventful - my tyres are now pretty much optimum, fronts light green and rears dark and I manage to keep the NSX at a reasonable distance. The start finish line sees a gap of 0.210, and a new best lap of 1:05.333
Lap 8 has much more going on! The NSX gets great drive out of the first hairpin, and before I know what's happened, he's past through the esses
👎 I get him under braking into the following hairpin, but it's a wake up call all right - I'm going to need to stay focussed if I want to win this.
Not satisfied with that, the NSX bumps me on the back straight (dumb AI
), and he nearly makes it round the outside of the final corner. Come the end of the lap there's only 0.158 in it Lap 9 sees the front tyres starting to go off - not really surprising for 260-odd bhp on a fwd car. I make it to the back straight without incident, but then on the final corner the NSX makes his move round the outside. For the first time in the race I cross the line behind, with 0.193 seconds to find
The final lap, and I need to get back in front sharpish. I make a lunge down the inside under braking for the first corner, and get the line
Yes! I get the place back, and push hard for the rest of the lap. The infield flashes past in a blur of concentration, the left front tyre is now orange but the car is still handling beautifully, and then I find myself on the back straight with a pause to catch my breath. I check the mirror, and as always the NSX is catching up - but I think the gap is too much. I squeeze the car through the final bend, and I know victory is mine
All that remains is to cross the line and pick a handy 156 A-spec points...
To cap it off, that final lap on worn tyres turns out to be the fastest of the race with a 1:05.033, and a winning margin of just 0.285 seconds
So there you have it - the Honda Civic Type R version BTCC (
) takes on and beats tuner cars with masses more power. It's a delightful car to drive, stable, solid and nimble. For a front driver it's simply stunning. The next challenge is to try and beat this whole championship in this car. I'm not sure if my driving will be up to it, but it should be a fun challenge This report turned out a little longer than I expected, but hopefully it's worth the effort - it's the first race I've had that I felt was worth writing about, so hopefully you've enjoyed reading it
Nice pics too, and the car looks great!
nice thread!!
