One Lap Honda CRX: Faster than a Corvette E-Ray?

David S.
By David S. Wallens
May 8, 2024 | One Lap of America

Photography Credit: Tom Suddard

Cars currently sitting behind our One Lap Honda CRX after five days of competition: a new Corvette E-Ray, turbo Porsches and all manner of factory-fast Camaros.

Did we mention that our CRX only makes about 300 horsepower?

Despite some quickly wearing tires and plenty of rain, as of this morning’s session at NCM Motorsports Park, we’re still sitting 11th out of nearly 80 entries in the Tire Rack One Lap of America presented by Grassroots Motorsports.

I did very well in the rain this morning,” notes Tom Suddard, one of our team’s drivers, as he finished 12th overall. Andy Hollis, his teammate, had a rough session, Tom continues, with unexpected drizzle on grid and then drying conditions on track.

The good news, Tom reports: “We are running away with the lead in Economy class.”

The less good news, he adds: “Car has minor issues but is holding together.”

First among those issues: fading brakes. The extra aero seems to be taxing the brakes more than expected. The rain, fortunately, has helped keep things cool.

The battery also likes to overheat when the engine is idling. Then the engine shuts off. The cure: simply cooling the battery with water.

One Lap teams aren’t allowed to swap tires during the event, and our front Yokohamas have been wearing faster than expected. Since the car runs staggered wheels–15x9s up front and 15x8s out back–swapping the fronts to the backs required time with the tire mounting machine. 

Current status: transitioning from NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to Pittsburgh International Race Complex. It’s only about a 500-mile drive.

And our friends from SCCA in their Club Spec Mustang? Currently 44th overall, but perhaps more importantly, having fun.

 

 


More to come tomorrow, and you can follow the chatter on the live thread.

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Comments
David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
5/9/24 9:24 a.m.

PS: This makes me miss my CRXs–a supercharged yellow Si and then a B16A-powered HF chassis. 

VolvoHeretic
VolvoHeretic GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
5/10/24 8:54 a.m.

Impressive. I haven't seen a photo yet with the rear inside tire lifted off of the ground. smiley

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