If you want to go track racing, there are usually a few essential steps: select a class or racing series, choose your car and then enlist the help of a professional, or roll up your sleeves and build or rebuild it yourself within the rules.
Nowadays many opt for the former, as race shops bring a wealth of experience – and motorsport can be prohibitively expensive. Yet there is a dedicated group burning the midnight oil in their garages, sacrificing time and money to pursue their racing dreams. Josh Lawton is one of them.
I’ve been following Josh on social media for a few years now, and in recent times his dual talents as a driver and car builder have become apparent. A ball-like lap around the Nürburgring in his other car – a turbocharged EK Honda Civic – was a particular highlight.
Ultimately, Josh discovered that track days weren’t enough to satisfy his competitive spirit. So, with the help of his father, they decided to build a real racing car.
The Civic – an EC hatchback – now competes in the Classic Touring Car Racing Championship series, specifically in the Thunder Saloons. The basic requirements for this category are that the car must have been produced before 2011 and must originally seat four people.
This results in varied competitors – from supercharged E46 BMW M3s to ex-Australian V8 Supercars. Compared to factory-built sports cars, you would think that a home-built Civic would go too far, but that is not the case.
Given Josh’s long-standing love of Hondas – sparked by his father gifting him an EG Civic to work on together when he was 14 – the choice of Honda was a no-brainer.
At the age of 16, Josh knew his career would be in the automotive world. He initially qualified as a pipe welder, which gave him crucial manufacturing skills. Everything else he passed on from his father.
The EG Civic underwent a significant weight reduction before receiving an extensive welded-in roll cage, tubular front frame (including the relocation of the OEM shock towers) and FRP doors with polycarbonate windows.
To keep up with the competition, Josh has made a number of strategic adjustments. One of these was upgrading to 18-inch wheels – 11 inches wide at the front and 10.5 inches at the rear – wrapped in slicks. By using Michelin medium compounds at the front and Yokohama soft compound at the rear, Josh says the car is much more manageable than medium compounds all around.
To accommodate the wide wheels and tires, the Civic features an all-carbon fiber front fascia and additional bolt-on rear fenders.
Over three years of racing and development, the car’s aero package has evolved significantly, taking inspiration from two Australian EGs – JDMyard’s time attack car and Jordan Cox’s improved production-class Civic – and utilizing fundamental aerodynamic principles.
The aggressive carbon front splitter, flat floor and vortex-generating side skirts – made in-house – lead to a large rear diffuser and a gooseneck wing.
While none of these aerodynamic additions have been tested in the wind tunnel, Josh’s application of the basic principles and continued testing on the track have resulted in a cohesive, balanced package. The saying “If it looks good, it’s probably good.” correct here.
Stopping power comes from two-piece 340mm rotors clamped by Brembo calipers sourced from a Renault Megane and paired with Pagid RST5 brake pads up front. At the rear, OEM brake calipers are considered sufficient.
Yellowspeed coilovers with 20kg/mm front and 16kg/mm rear springs may seem stiff, but after experimenting with different setups, Josh has found this combination to be the ideal combination for track racing.
Under the hood, the Civic has a 2.4 liter Honda K-series engine – with some extra boost. The K24A3 engine comes from a Honda Accord and features forged rods, a K20 oil pump, an upgraded intake cam and stronger valve springs. The Rotrex C38-91 supercharger forces compressed air through a sizable Treadstone Performance intercooler and 70mm throttle body, while a 4-2-1 exhaust manifold and full 3-inch exhaust system manage exhaust flow.
To withstand the rigors of racing, the K20 5-speed gearbox is equipped with Gear-X semi-helical gears, a KAAZ 1.5-way limited slip differential and a Hybrid Racing shifter and cables.
Inside, the Civic has been stripped down to the last detail, with little more than a racing seat and driver controls in the roll cage. The electronics package includes a Hondata KPro4 that Josh tuned himself, which connects to an ECUMaster ADU7 display and a PMU16 power management unit. In manufacturing the motorsport specification loom, Josh received valuable help from a friend at Fulcrum Motorsport.
By this point you may have realized that this is a true privateer effort, with Josh and his family taking on almost every aspect of the build themselves. While discussing the build, Josh said: “Part of the excitement is as much the development of the car as the racing. It gives an extra sense of achievement.”
At this year’s Brands Hatch Supertourer event, the Thunder Saloon races were a highlight. After a convincing win in an earlier race, Josh revealed that his Civic was having engine problems. Taking one ‘dams or destroyers’ With his mentality he persevered after a short break to fight back through the field and claim third place. It was a breathtaking ride.
To date, Josh has competed in ten Thunder Saloons races, achieving seven podium finishes, including five wins. He has also set lap records for Thunder Saloons at every track he visits, suggesting his trophy cabinet may soon need an upgrade.
The next time you’re at a racing event with support races, don’t overlook this one. Take a walk through the pits, find drivers like Josh pouring their hearts into their own cars, and keep an eye on them on the track – perhaps the highlight of your day.
Chaydon Ford
Instagram: chaycore