A speck of yellow quickly approaches as the sound of the Honda F20C engine gets progressively louder. The S2000 in J's Racing graphics screams by at over 100 MPH. By the time your eyes refocus, only a carbon-fiber wing and diffuser can be seen before the Honda disappears around the next turn.

J's Racing has been a Honda tuning shop since 1989. They've raced every competitive Honda chassis over the course of the last 20 years. In 2004, J's Racing (JR) built this 1999 API S2000 for road racing. That same year with Nobuteru Taniguchi at the wheel, that AP1went on to set a naturally-aspirated record at Okayama International Circuit (1:39.759). Later that year, it finished runner up to ASM at Tsukuba with a 1:00.210.

NEW TEAM, SAME DREAM

N1 Concepts (N1) in Hayward, CA, acquired this record-setting chassis from JR in late 2008. As enthusiasts, the crew at N1 have been Honda fanatics since the birth of the import tuning revolution in the 90s. Knowing the history and philosophy of J's Racing, they wanted to continue the Honda racing heritage of this S2000 and compete with it in the hotly contested DSPORT Magazine Super Modified Class of Redline Time Attack. Already a competitive build, the formula for victory would require just a little bit more.

LIGHT MAKES RIGHT

Preparing the AP1 chassis was the first step toward gaining a competitive edge. Since the S2000 weights in at 2,905 lbs. (with a 160-pound driver), reducing the vehicle weight was imperative. J's Racing removed the soft top (which weighs approximately 40 lbs.) and every interior component except for the dash. A Recardo SP-A seat replaced the driver's seat while a J's Racing roll cage was welded in to stiffen and reinforce the chassis. Outside, a complete JR Type -S wide body kit along with JR carbon-fiber hood, truck lid, diffuer, GT-wing and doors further lighten the S2000. The final exterior component was the Mugen carbon-fiber hardtop, which brought the overall weight (with driver) down to 2,500 lbs. Hence, 400 pounds were saved.

RACING, J'S STYLE

The AP1 was already equipped with a full complement of suspension components, including CRUX coilovers, reinforced sub frames and every adjustable suspension link JR offers. Beneath the wide fenders, Volk Racing RE30 wheels and Hankook C91 race rubber fill the wells. Behind the forged aluminum rollers are six-piston JR brake calipers that clamp-slotted two-piece rotors. The setup is colled through ducts routed from the front bumper. For improved handling at speed and through the turns, JR developed an aerodynamics package designed to add downforce at both the front and rear of the vehicle to keep the C91s planted.

NA - ALL THE WAY

For JDM, Honda and J’s Racing purists, it was a must that the S2000 remain naturally aspirated to honor heritage and tradition. The F20C received a 15-percent increase in displacement by way of a Toda Racing stroker kit. With new rods and pistons joining the 97mm crankshaft, the shortblock sports a new displacement of 2,307cc. Up top, a pair of Toda A2 camshafts actuate the fully-upgraded valvetrain in the cylinder head. Toda individual throttle bodies enclosed within a custom sheetmetal air box receive a rammed aircharge thanks to a custom JR induction funnel positioned neatly beside the JR radiator. On the other side of the block, a custom header and FX 70RR Titanium SPL exhaust channel spent gasses to the rear of the chassis. Now ready for tuning, the S2000 was placed in the care of Bay-Area tuner Andy Chen for tuning. With the chassis secured to GST Motorsports’ Mustang Dynamometer, Andy optimized the fuel and ignition tables of the MoTeC M400 engine management. Once finished, the S2000 put down 320 horsepower and 210 lb-ft torque to the wheels.