Exploring the High-Performance World of JAS Motorsport
Not far from the center of Milano, Italy, sits JAS Motorsport—a renowned racing entity that has produced successful race cars since its inception in 1995. Although it began by crafting Alfa Romeo 155 touring cars, by 1998, it became an official partner of Honda, creating Accords and Civics for esteemed championships such as the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC), British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), and World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). Today, it focuses on the Honda Civic Type R TCR race car, which impressively clinched 65 victories in 14 various series worldwide by 2019.
A Glimpse into JAS Motorsport’s Facility
Recently, a tour of JAS Motorsport’s facilities offered insights during the unveiling of the updated 2020 Honda Civic Type R and 2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition models. While there, the team’s meticulous efforts in constructing several 2020 Honda Civic Type R TCR race cars stood prominent, reflecting their dedication and craftsmanship.
Transformation of the Civic Type R for Racing
Each racing chassis, commonly referred to as bodies-in-white, is shipped from Honda’s Swindon, U.K. plant to JAS Motorsport. The team’s expertise comes into play as they modify these chassis for competitive racing, incorporating dynamic composite body panels and a plethora of aerodynamic enhancements. One notable feature includes a substantial adjustable carbon-fiber wing, complemented by a formidable front splitter. Indeed, JAS Motorsport prioritizes aerodynamics; during our tour, we encountered a nearly $200,000 quarter-scale wind tunnel model of the 2020 Civic Type R TCR, which allows them to test and refine their designs with remarkable accuracy.
The race engines originate from Honda’s Ohio facility and undergo significant upgrades, including a heavy-duty head gasket and performance-enhancing modifications, before they are installed into the race cars alongside a robust cooling system. Notably, while the road-going Civic Type R generates 306 hp, the racing variant boasts a powerful 340 hp and typically requires major servicing every 2,000 race miles—a substantial interval in competitive racing. Additionally, the gearbox features a six-speed sequential unit, and the fuel tank has been augmented from 12 gallons to a remarkable 26.4 gallons.
Advanced Suspension and Braking Systems
The suspension system retains the original design but employs more adjustable components such as HPD inverted coil-over dampers co-developed with Bilstein. Additional features like HPD front caster and camber plates, along with custom control arms and adjustable anti-roll bars, facilitate a tailored setup for diverse race venues. Consequently, the Civic Type R TCR possesses far greater potential for adjustment than its street counterpart. The braking system is equipped with six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear, coupled with two-piece brake rotors crafted by Girodisc for racing purposes, supported by an ABS circuit modified for motorsports.
Opportunities in U.S. Racing
Interested in racing a Civic Type R TCR? JAS Motorsport produces numerous vehicles for the U.S. market, specifically designed to compete in the SRO Motorsports TC America series. Priced at $172,238 (excluding taxes and import tariffs), acquiring a 2020 Honda Civic Type R TCR race car may seem like a significant investment; however, it represents a cost-effective alternative to building a car of similar specifications from scratch. Notably, JAS Motorsport estimates that each car requires approximately 390 man-hours from initial chassis construction to final testing, underscoring the dedication and expertise involved in producing these high-performance machines.
