1995 Honda Civic EX Coupe

ENGINE: 1.6L SOHC VTEC OPM/Sunbelt IT spec Stillen 4-1 header Racing Sports Akimoto intake Straight side exit exhaust B&M Oil Cooler Visteon Radiator INTERIOR: Rivergate Race & Rally Prep 8 point cage Sparco steering wheel Sparco Evo seat Sparco 5 point harness SUSPENSION: Eibach 700lb (f) and 900lb (r) springs Carerra threaded bodies Koni single adjustable shocks Stock sway bars BRAKES: Carbotech XP pads on stock front discs Hawk Blue compound shoes on rear drums Goodridge stainless braided lines WHEELS: 14x7 Panasports 14x7 Revolutions TIRES: Hoosier DOT Radials

Driver: Lyonel Kent

My infatuation with road-racing and motorsports began in the early '90s but it wasn't until I graduated from college in 1996 that I was in a position to do anything about the craving. I began autocrossing my daily-driven 1995 Honda Civic EX , campaigning in Stock Class on the regional, divisional, and national level for several years with many successes along the way. There was (and still is) rarely a weekend that I was not autocrossing somewhere, honing my car control skills. However, I knew that autocross was merely a stepping stone in preparation (or substitution) for what I really wanted to do-road racing.

So I began going to Porsche Club driving schools with my brother, Lee, who owns a Porsche 911, and shares my desire for road racing. Although I was usually the only Honda running out there with those guys, I still learned a lot in regards to the correct line to run on a particular track and how to drive fast while sharing the track with other cars. The most important thing I learned from running with the Porsches was how to pass a faster car by holding back and getting a run on them going into the straight. I often received praise from my instructors and they would always sign me off quickly to run by myself with the fastest cars and drivers at the events.

I began prepping the Civic to SCCA Improved Touring specs (as it was to be the race car). I even had to get the car classed. But once again the SCCA, scared of anything with the VTEC badge on it, threw me to the wolves, classing the car in ITS. I got my SCCA Club Racing license at Roebling Road in February of 2001, where I was lucky enough to have Tom Fowler of OPM Motorsports as my instructor. That same weekend, I also got my first win in door to door competition on the race track against all the other students that attended the school. I competed in a few more SCCA Club Races throughout 2001, but with limited success due to mechanical gremlins.

The NASA East Coast Honda Challenge is a series that I have been excited about since Fall of 2001 when I received a call from Scott Giles, inviting me to participate. After the first race, I was sold on the series. The competition is fierce, the racing is close, but I believe safety and respect are on everyone's minds on and off the track. The friendship and comeraderie that exists in the paddock is unrivaled by any other sport. The same person who, five minutes ago, you were battling for position on the track, is now helping you bleed your brakes or fix something on your car. It is great to be able to get together with so many people that all share at least one common interest--racing Hondas.

I would like to thank Scott, Karl, and everyone else who have made this series possible. Special props go out to my wife and crew chief, Danielle, who makes it possible for me to even race in the series.