What is the Honda One Make Race?

March 25, 2022

More than 40 years ago, Honda launched the popular "One Make Race". The idea was simple: get as many people as possible on the grid with a popular FF (front-wheel drive) car, and encourage locals to give motor racing a try. With the Civic cheap to buy and cheap to modify, the series was a hit. It drew plenty of interest from enthusiasts, performance shops and even well-known drivers of the era.

WHICH MODEL STARTED THIS TRADITION?

The Civics that kicked off this tradition in 1981 were the SR Civic, better known as the second-generation Civic. The top-spec version had a 1500cc engine making 69 hp.

THIRD-GENERATION CIVIC (WONDER CIVIC).

In 1985 the third-generation AT/AH Civic, known as the "Wonder Civic", joined the grid. It was the first chassis to get a DOHC engine, the ZC, known in Europe as the D16A9.

During those years, Mr. Satoru Nakayama founded the "Civic Driving School" (a possible inspiration for the TODO school in the Initial D series).

FOURTH-GENERATION CIVIC.

In the early 90s came the first Civic with the famous VTEC system, the EF9 (EE9 in Europe). It ran the B16A, shared with the EF8 CR-X (EE8 in Europe), which also raced in the "One Make Race".

TODAY.

Over the years, one generation after another joined the grid, along with other models like the Honda Beat, Fit/Jazz, Accord and more. The races also spread to other tracks beyond Suzuka Circuit.

Here’s the "Raytec Autoworks" Honda Fit racing in the compact class.

And in this photo, Ikegami-san’s CR-X Del Sol "EG2", wearing a WHARP RACING livery inspired by the JACCS fifth-gen Civic from the old JTCC (Japanese Touring Car Championship). It’s one of our favorites in today’s "One Make Race".