Honda VTEC Challenge [UK Race Series]

[jdm_b16a]

I've discovered there is another series in the UK devoted to Hondas. It's called the BARC Honda VTEC Challenge.

Unfortunately it looks like being canned for 2012 after it's inaugural year in 2011 saw very small fields, down to three cars at some events, which is a shame really as the Honda is a very popular tuning car in the UK.

The Challenge is divided into three classes -

Production 1600 - Up to 1600cc Production* 1600cc cars with limited modifications

Production 1800-2300 - Production* cars (1.8L-2.3L) with limited modifications

Tuner - Up to 1.8L Heavily Modified/Engine swapped cars* up to 1.8L

Super Tuner Over 1800cc Heavily Modified/Engine swapped cars* over 1800cc and minimum weight 1000kgs

*Production - Cars not exceeding engine capacity of the max engine size originally fitted to that chassis type (e.g. EK - 1.6, DC2 1.8, EP3 2.0). Engine modifications free but must retain OEM Honda pistons and run a single plenum throttle body (i.e no individual throttle bodies)

*Heavily Modified/Engine swapped cars Cars fitted with engines exceeding the capacity of max engine size originally fitted to that chassis type (e.g. EG B18, K20 EK, H22 DC2) OR cars with engine modifications not permitted in Production classes (e.g. forged engines).

All competitors use the Yokohama A048 which is the same tyre currently used in Improved Production here in Australia.

Here are a couple of YouTube videos used as promos for the Series:



The second video is an overview. The guy heading it up is Charlie, the brother of Vicki Butler-Henderson, a racing driver. In fact all but one of the family is involved in racing in one way or another. Vicki is also a TV personality in the UK.



The website if you want to read more about it is http://www.vtecchallenge.co.uk/

Check it out. There are also heaps of photos on their Facebook page. Click on the link on the website and ask to join.

Youtube: Most of the races look like there on YouTube.

Peter

[curtis265]

very interesting... watching these when i get home!

[Riced_Civic]

i followed the series since the beginning, they had a very good series going on, but it was a shame that the event is getting canned this year.

they had some very quick EX-BTTC cars very quick private cars.

i just wish we could have a series like that here

[jdm_b16a]

... but it was a shame that the event is getting canned this year.

I've been in touch with some of the organisers and they assure me that the series is going ahead this year, and that they have some genuine interest. Let's hope so.

Peter

[Riced_Civic]

ahh thats good to hear.

[Kris VTC]

Hi Guys,

Incase you havent guessed it already, I'm Kris and I run the Vtec Challenge here in the UK.

First off, its fantastic to see the Series is getting noticed all over the globe and we hope the support continues through this year and beyond.
Secondly, and more importantly, the series is definately running this year with double the numbers of entrants already signed up with 4 or 5 more drivers with Cars in Prep ready for the first race.

Theres no denying we struggled last year and to be honest, setting up a new race series with our porr economic climate was a big risk, but we knew given time it would succeed, and we are lucky enough to have another 12 months to prove we were right.

I hope you are all enjoying the coverage, and when I get 2 minutes spare, I will post up the season review and a few pics for you all to take a look at, aswell as a few pics of our past and current Race Civic's.

Website and Forum is at www.Vtecchallenge.co.uk and we are also on Facebook (Honda Vtec Challenge)

Cheers

Kris!

[jdm_b16a]

Hi Guys,

In case you haven't guessed it already, I'm Kris and I run the Vtec Challenge here in the UK.

First off, its fantastic to see the Series is getting noticed all over the globe and we hope the support continues through this year and beyond.
Secondly, and more importantly, the series is definitely running this year with double the numbers of entrants already signed up with 4 or 5 more drivers with Cars in Prep ready for the first race.

There's no denying we struggled last year and to be honest, setting up a new race series with our poor economic climate was a big risk, but we knew given time it would succeed, and we are lucky enough to have another 12 months to prove we were right.

I hope you are all enjoying the coverage, and when I get 2 minutes spare, I will post up the season review and a few pics for you all to take a look at, as well as a few pics of our past and current Race Civic's.

Website and Forum is at www.Vtecchallenge.co.uk and we are also on Facebook (Honda Vtec Challenge)

Cheers

Kris!

Thanks for the post Kris and we look forward to getting updates and info from you on the VTEC Challenge in 2012.

As Kris said, check out the website guys and especially the Facebook pages. I've been watching the in-car videos from some of the teams and I know how much you all love your "in-car experience" from our own Honda Nationals last year.

Let's get behind the VTEC Challenge and support them on Facebook.

Kris, we'd love to see a team and car spec page on the VTEC Challenge website, with details of all the cars, engines, and driver profiles.

Peter

[Kris VTC]

Peter,

Totaly agree and something we have talked about but not got around to doing . I'll get on to it and get some driver/car profiles up over the next few days for you all

And for anyone intertested, here is the 2011 Review..................


VTEC Challenge – 2011 Season Review

At the end of 2010, Mike Clarke and Kris Dunlop from Honda specialists “R-Motion”, set the ball rolling for an all new “All Honda” race series. The “VTC” would visit some of the UK’s premier circuits, giving Honda drivers a season they wouldn’t forget.

Seasoned and successful Honda racers in their own right, Mike and Kris had seen a gap in the market for a Honda only race series, and set about putting the wheels in motion for an exciting addition to the 2011 season calendar.

With an immense amount of work ahead of them, the pair began enlisting help from Honda specialists and bringing sponsors on board to help fund the series. With huge support from the established Honda forum community, news soon spread of the VTEC Challenge, and interest rapidly grew.

With backing from the “BARC” the VTEC Challenge was born and it promised to be an exciting one make series, following a similar format to the one used in the USA and Japan.

This is the story of the first year of the VTEC Challenge.

1 vision
2 countries
7 circuits
14 races
17 drivers
500+ miles on track


Silverstone: April 2nd/3rd 2011 (Rounds 1 & 2)

Following a winter of planning, establishing series regulations and defining class structures, the VTEC Challenge was about to be realised. The time had come to stop talking and get down to racing.

On a bright but cold April weekend the paddock at Silverstone was alive with the sound of music, (screaming VTEC’s to you and me!)

The atmosphere in the paddock was contagious, with a mix of nerves, excitement and high spirits as everyone was ready to put all their own preparation to the test.

A potential disaster became elation for novice racer Mark Chese. His Civic Type-R failed scrutineering due to a new regulation linked to his roll cage. With it looking like his race debut was over before it began, up stepped “RedBrick Racing” who offered their spare BTCC spec Civic as a replacement! The driver who had booked the car for the day had failed to arrive, so this was Mark’s lucky day.

It was a trouble free qualifying session and all cars came home in one piece in readiness for racing.

Richard Voaden in his H22 powered Integra set the fastest time for the number 1 grid slot, but it was series organiser Kris Dunlop in his lightweight Class D 1600cc Civic EG that capitalised when the lights went out and took an early lead.



However the more powerful class A Integra of Voaden, and the Tuner Class Civic driven by Charlie Butler-Henderson soon overhauled him, dropping Kris to 3rd place.



Stewart Hutchinson in his class C Integra then mounted an attack on Kris over the course of the next 2 or 3 laps. Dunlop clawed his way back up to 2nd place overall, putting the stricken Civic of CBH between himself and Hutchinson who ended the race in 4th.

1st: Rich Voaden
2nd: Kris Dunlop
3rd: Charlie Butler Henderson

Fastest lap: Rich Voaden 1:07.264 sec on lap 3 of 14


A better start for the number “24” car of Voaden saw him lead race 2 from lights to flag. Although repaired and running to its full potential, the Civic driven by CBH was still unable to match the pace of the Performance Autoworks prepared JDM Integra.



Hutchinson got a fantastic start and powered past the “Red Brick Racing” Civics of CBH and Robin Duxbury. However a motivated Butler-Henderson meant Stewart and his blue Integra found themselves being sandwiched between the pit wall and the day glow orange bodywork of the ex Halfords/Racing Dynamics BTCC Civic, resulting in Hutchinson backing out to avoid any unnecessary contact.

With Voaden taking the top step again, it was a pair of “RedBrick Racing” Civics driven by CBH and Duxbury who took 2nd and 3rd respectively.

1st: Rich Voaden
2nd: Charlie Butler Henderson
3rd: Robin Duxbury

Fastest lap: Rich Voaden 1:07.341 sec on lap 3 of 14


Mallory Park: May 1st 2011 (Rounds 3 & 4)

1st of May saw the VTEC Challenge arrive at a gloriously sunny Mallory Park.

The nature of the circuit at Mallory would hopefully allow the less powerful class C and class D cars to take the fight to the Tuner and class A machines.

Following on from his brace of wins at Silverstone, Rich Voaden and his Integra would be the one to watch.

Andy Smith and his class A “vtecdirect.com” ATR, Richard Chilton and his class C ITR and “Tin Top” racer Nigel Ainge and his class B DC5 ITR used Mallory to make their first appearance in the VTEC Challenge.



Nigel Ainge in his Integra secured pole, by over half a second from previous winner Voaden.

With two seriously quick Integra’s on the front row, it would be anyone’s guess who would arrive at “Gerrards” first, and the quick Civic of Kris Dunlop would also be looking for a way through to the front from his 3rd place position on the grid.

With lights out, it was Ainge who capitalised leaving the rest of the grid to give chase.

Following issues with a leaking sump in qualifying, the Civic of Dunlop began to suffer the same problem again putting an end to their days racing.

This now promoted Gareth Broadbent and his CRX to 3rd, with Stewart Hutchinson running to the flag in 4th.



Up front, Voaden had chipped away at the race leader, and around Gerrards, Ainge moved to the outside of the circuit, gifting Rich the racing line to exit the corner in front.

1st: Rich Voaden
2nd: Nigel Ainge
3rd: Gareth Broadbent

Fastest lap: Rich Voaden 52.583 sec on lap 9 of 23

Voaden and his DC2 Integra lead the charge on lap one and stayed there until the race finished, adding a 4th victory to his season.



Very quickly Richy extended his lead from Broadbent and Hutchinson, who in turn pulled out a lead over the rest of the field.

Andy Smith showed signs early on of closing in on 3rd place Hutchinson, but dropped back due to fuel issues (not having enough!) and was then passed by Mark Chese in his class B CTR, dropping him back to 5th.

1st: Rich Voaden
2nd: Gareth Broadbent
3rd: Stewart Hutchinson

Fastest lap: Rich Voaden 52.825 sec on lap 22 of 23


Oulton Park: May 28th 2011 (Rounds 5 & 6)

At the home circuit of Stewart Hutchinson and Andy Smith, both would be looking to capitalise on their local knowledge during the latest rounds of the VTEC Challenge.

With Smith and Hutchinson having more experience of the circuit than most, some of the other racers used this to their advantage, to help them learn the best lines.

Gareth was showing that his CRX was capable of setting quick times, but didn’t quite have the legs on the circuit’s long straights.



Following qualifying, the result showed that Voaden had secured his 3rd pole position of the season ahead of Gareth in 2nd and Stewart in 3rd.

With the race underway, Rich and Gareth were evenly matched alongside each other, but on changing up to 2nd gear Voaden suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure and lost all drive, coasting to a halt off track.

With Rich out, the CRX driver from Farnham took charge of the race and lead Stewart in 2nd place all the way to the flag.



Starting in 6th, Richard Chilton in his UK spec DC2 got a storming start and rocketed up to 4th place. 4th became 3rd for Chilton when Andy Smith left the circuit at “Island Bend” to avoid hitting Hutchinson, who was then unable to make up the lost ground before the chequered flag was dropped.

1st: Gareth Broadbent
2nd: Stewart Hutchinson
3rd: Richard Chilton

Fastest lap: Gareth Broadbent 1:40.027 sec on lap 8 of 9

Following a mammoth rebuild in-between race’s meant Rich and his Integra were back on the front row for race 2.

Voaden judged the lights to perfection and got clean away and past the first corner still in the lead and with everything still in one piece!



Gareth came from the second row to squeeze inside Hutchinson and by the exit of “Old Hall” bend he was in 2nd place and chasing Voaden hard.

Hutchinson was now holding 3rd comfortably with Smith in 4th place.

Mark Chese had a comfortable 5th ahead of the battling “Rowles” and “Chilton”. Both drivers had a great race, with honest clean driving, showing that you don’t have to “Rub” to race!

1st: Rich Voaden
2nd: Gareth Broadbent
3rd: Stewart Hutchinson

Fastest lap: Rich Voaden 1:39.808 sec on lap 8 of 9


Anglesey: July 2nd/3rd (Rounds 7 & 8)

Midway through the season saw the VTEC Challenge head into North Wales, and the picturesque circuit of Anglesey.

For the weekend’s events, the “VTEC Challenge” had been joined up with the “CNC Heads Sports Saloon Championship” which put the “VTC” guys up against some of the quickest sports and saloon cars in the UK.

Following qualifying, Chilton had done enough to secure his 1st VTEC Challenge pole position of the season ahead of Andy Smith and Mark Chese.



Although Chilton got a clean start, Smith in the “vtecdirect.com” Accord Type R hooked up to get a flyer and came through from two row’s back to get up alongside the Integra and took an early lead by the end of lap 1.

Smith and Chilton battled for a further 5 laps until the Integra re-took the lead of the VTEC race and held off Smith until the chequered flag dropped.



Mark in his black and green EP3 CTR battled with the rest of the pack and came home unscathed in 3rd.

1st: Richard Chilton
2nd: Andy Smith
3rd: Mark Chese

Fastest lap: Richard Chilton 1:20.967 sec on lap 13

With a switch to the “International” circuit, it was time to qualify again, and it was Chilton who put his red Integra ahead of Smith and Chese for the start of race 2.

With the red lights out, it was Chilton again who lead the VTEC charge, with Chese in the black and green EP3 Civic pulling ahead of Smith.

Andy was soon back up with Chese, looking to retake the position he had just lost. Lap after lap Smith looked for a way through but was denied any chance by Mark’s defensive driving. Only in the later stages did Mark manage to shake off the Accord who by now was suffering with lack of grip and pulled out a 4 second advantage.



Chilton had built up a considerable lead during the race and finished race 2 at the head of the pack.

1st: Richard Chilton
2nd: Mark Chese
3rd: Andy Smith

Fastest lap: Richard Chilton 1:46.068 sec on lap 11

[Kris VTC]

Croft: July 23rd/24th (Rounds 9 & 10)

Croft Circuit provided a home for the popular VTEC Challenge over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th of July, for rounds 9 & 10 of the 2011 series.

Drivers Andy Harvey and Tim Blowers were new to the VTC fold, both running Honda Integra’s. DC2 and DC5 respectively.



Following qualifying, the results showed that Rich Voaden had again secured VTEC pole, and impressively taken 3rd place overall ahead of a Mitsubishi Evo 4 and a Metro 6R4 of Group B rallying fame. This was due to the VTEC Challenge being asked to allow some entries from the Darlington and District Motor Club Northern Saloon Championship to run with them on circuit.

With light out, it was an all out drag race down the long straight to the first corner, and Voaden was unable to hold off the Evo and 6R4, who had both used their 4wd to great effect.



Dunlop was next through the first couple of corners, and he was hard on the gas in the now K20 engined Civic, looking to capitalise on any mistake.

Hutchinson and Harvey were 3 abreast through Hawthorn with the DC2 Integra of Simon Gibson from the DDMC joining in on the fun.

Chese in the Civic Type R had made a good getaway and was leading Smith, Chilton, Roberts and Blowers around the circuit.

Voaden climbed back up through the pack and closed the gap on the Evo in 4th, however he would have to settle on 5th place overall due to the tyres starting to loose grip.

Hutchinson and Harvey fought over 3rd place all the way to the line, with Harvey looking for the slightest ***** in the solid defense shown by Hutchinson, but it wasn’t to be.



All of the remaining VTEC entrants crossed the line ahead of a lot more potent and accomplished entrants, showing the watching crowds that our guy’s can drive.

1st: Richard Voaden
2nd: Kris Dunlop
3rd: Stewart Hutchinson

Fastest lap: Rich Voaden 1:37.889 sec on lap 6 of 11


For race 2, the VTEC drivers were again spread throughout the pack, which again promised exciting racing.

From the off, it was action all the way! Running alongside the Civic of Peter Dixon from the DDMC, Voaden had the inside line, when the Beetle RSi of Ian Humpish turned across the front of Dixon and then speared into the passenger side of Voaden. Down, but not out Rich regained control and began to push on to claw back his lost places.

Coming through from the 7th row on the grid, Harvey and Dunlop had closed up on the carnage before they knew it. Joining Hutchinson who had started in 10th place, the trio battled for position, with Harvey coming out on top.

Dunlop soon took the lead from Harvey and Voaden came back to close the gap on Dunlop, but was unable to prise the lead off of Dunlop.



With Harvey out due to a brake issue, Stewart in his DC2 JDM Integra took 3rd place.

Mark Chese and Richard Chilton were tooth and nail right down to the wire, with Chese taking the position, over Chilton’s fastest lap.



Dave Roberts was busy fending off the Peugeot 307 of Stephen Maude for his position on track, while Smith and Blowers both brought their cars home safely to round out the VTEC grid.

1st: Kris Dunlop
2nd: Rich Voaden
3rd: Stewart Hutchinson

Fastest lap: Kris Dunlop 1:37.596 sec on lap 8 of 11


Snetterton 200: August 27th (Rounds 11 & 12)

The rural East Anglian circuit of Snetterton was the latest venue to welcome the VTEC Challenge to town.

For Snetterton, the VTEC Challenge welcomed experienced racer Lee Bennett-Neal to the fold with his bright green B18 powered DC2 Integra. With his local knowledge of the circuit, he would be one to keep an eye on.

Following a heavy downpour the previous evening, the circuit conditions were tricky, meaning the drivers would need to exercise caution in order to produce a quick lap, without disappearing off into the Norfolk countryside!



Richard Voaden showed he had gotten to grips with the circuit and had taken another pole to add to this seasons tally.

From pole, Voaden took a commanding lead, which remained unchallenged throughout the race.

Chese in his CTR stuck as close to Voaden as possible as he headed off through the first corners on the opening lap, and exited “Montreal” in 2nd place after passing Chilton.

Dave Roberts in his class D CRX was on a charge, scything through the grid to take his position in the battle for a top 3 finish.

Despite not having the power to close down Voaden, Chese was able to keep a decent margin over Chilton, who in turn was watching his mirrors constantly for the CRX of Roberts who was closing at an alarming rate.



On lap 10 of 11 Roberts took 3rd place from the Integra driver around the hairpin of “Montreal”, in a fantastically executed piece of driving.

Voaden crossed the line untroubled, and nearly 30 seconds ahead of 2nd placed Chese.

1st: Richard Voaden
2nd: Mark Chese
3rd: Dave Roberts

Fastest lap: Rich Voaden 1:26.119 sec on lap 10 of 11

As the lights were extinguished, it was Voaden who led to “Riches”, with Chese holding his 2nd place on the grid.

Making another good start, Blowers in his Integra passed Chilton for 5th place and proceeded to chase Bennett-Neal who had gone from 5th to 4th.

Recovering from a less than perfect start, Roberts in his CRX began to pick up the pace, and was charging hard on 2nd Chese.



Chese and Roberts then began their race long battle for 2nd place, swapping position over and over, and often on the same lap! The CRX managed to pull out a bit of a gap over Chese, but come lap 7 put the black and green Civic ahead of Roberts and then proceeded to pull away.

Blowers, who had managed to fend off Rowles in his Civic Type R for the majority of the race, found he was unable to match his pace on the entry to “Bentley Straight” and Rowles took the position.

1st: Richard Voaden
2nd: Mark Chese
3rd: Dave Roberts

Fastest lap: Rich Voaden 1:24.938 sec on lap 8 of 11


Rockingham: October 1st (Rounds 13 & 14)

Well, the season has flown by and the last two rounds of the 2011 VTEC Challenge took place at the purpose built circuit of “Rockingham” in Northamptonshire.

For this final round, the series welcomed Peter Dixon in the “Tuner class”.

Peter is a regular racer in the Northern Sports and Saloon Car Championship, and had raced alongside the VTC at Croft earlier this year, with his obscenely quick 1.6 VT Civic.

In blisteringly hot conditions, it was Rich Voaden who had put his Integra on pole again, followed by Dunlop and Dixon.

On the outside of the grid, Dunlop in the “R-Motion” Civic got the perfect start and proceeded to lead the pack.



Mark Chese made another fantastic start, and came through the pack from 5th to 3rd place before Dixon retook the position before turning onto the infield section.

Although out in the lead, Dunlop wasn’t having it all his own way, as the driver from “Performance Autoworks” fought back to keep the Civic within arms length.



Sat comfortably in 3rd place, Peter Dixon and his Civic were on a charge, but he was unable to close the gap on the lead pair.

Chese and Broadbent battled for position, but following Gareth’s retirement, Mark had a clear run to 4th.

Rich Chilton in his class C Integra and Andy Smith in his class A ATR battled throughout the race. The lighter and nimbler Integra closed on Smith whilst running on some of the tighter infield sections, but Smith was able to put some distance between them on the fast “oval” section.

With Voaden dropping back, Dunlop crossed the line 13 seconds ahead for his 2nd race win of the series.

1st: Kris Dunlop – 1.34.645
2nd: Richard Voaden – 1.34.992
3rd: Peter Dixon – 1.35.375

Fastest lap: Kris Dunlop 1:34.645 sec on lap 5 of 10

With Dunlop on pole, Rich was looking to turn the tables on the silver Civic and its driver, and with the race underway, the sound of the VTEC’s echoed around the bowl at Rockingham, as they all screamed away from the line.

Dunlop put paid to Voaden’s plans as again he executed a perfect start and took off into the distance.



Starting on the back row, Dixon made up 3 places before turning through “Denne” and onto the infield.

Broadbent and Dixon then began a race long battle that saw position swap back and forth, but ultimately saw Dixon secure 3rd place.



Chese in his Civic was struggling with a blowing exhaust which was robbing him of some of the Type R’s power. Despite this, he was able to close the gap on Dixon and Broadbent by the end of the race to finish 5th

Rich Chilton and Andy Smith were having a repeat performance of race 1 with Chilton eventually crossing the line on the bumper of Andy’s Accord.



Dave Roberts pulled away from Tim in the DC5 Integra, and both drivers ran an incident free race.



Not putting a wheel wrong, Dunlop pulled away from 2nd place Voaden, providing the driver from Chepstowe with his 3rd win on the season.



1st: Kris Dunlop – 1.34.304
2nd: Rich Voaden – 1.34.815
3rd: Peter Dixon – 1.35.846

Fastest lap: Kris Dunlop 1:34.304 sec on lap 3 of 10


Summary:

The inaugural season of the VTEC Challenge has now come to a close, but already registrations for the 2012 season are open.

With increased interest already being shown, it looks like next season will again be a mixture of close fought clean racing, with a great sense of team spirit shown during times of need.

The camaraderie shown amongst the drivers has meant that wherever possible no one has missed an event as a result of a mechanical breakdown.

Class rivals have gone out of their way to fix fellow competitors cars, knowing that their act of kindness will undoubtedly loose them a class win.

If you’re thinking of racing a Honda, or want to know more, drop onto http://www.VTECChallenge.co.uk and join the forum so you can see the latest information about this exciting and friendly series.

There is a new class structure for 2012, and full details are listed on the forum.

2011 was great, but 2012 will be even better. Why not be part of it?