Honda obsession in the country you wouldn’t expect

On almost any track day around the world, you can count on a few Hondas doing the rounds, thanks to their unbeatable cost versus performance formula.

Hondas are second to none in this regard: love them or loathe them, the evidence is irrefutable. During my recent visit to Italy for the 2024 Tarox Mansion super fight (MSB), the number of Hondas participating was astonishing.

As a big fan of Honda and having had the pleasure of driving several models, the EK Civic and NSX-R are among my all-time favorites. So it’s safe to say that I don’t need any convincing that these lightweight, low-powered machines are the perfect track weapons. Yet many remain skeptical of this philosophy.

As I said in my MSB coverage, you might expect an Italian event to be dominated by Fiats, Ferraris, Alfa Romeos and other domestically manufactured icons, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The MSB draws inspiration from events such as Attack Tsukubawhich attracted an audience with a deep appreciation for Japanese performance cars. And like Tsukuba, Honda was the most popular brand here.

The Autodromo dell’Umbria paddocks were buzzing with everything from Civics to S2000s – and even a Honda K-swapped Lotus Exige. It was clear that the MSB’s fastest contenders all had the H badge in common.

While I can’t highlight all the Hondas in attendance, a few deserve a deeper dive into what made them so blisteringly fast around the technical, 1.5-mile circuit. First up is a turbocharged S2000 – one of the fastest cars of the day, with all the sounds to match. The subtle aerodynamic tweaks are reminiscent of what you see at Tsukuba and similar time attack events in Japan.

Another highlight was this turbo EK Civic, which sounded so good as it thundered down the straight.

Then there was this Rotrex supercharged S2000, a favorite of mine for its beautiful simplicity. While retaining his standard bodywork, he fell just short of the fastest lap time of the day.

While it may not have an H badge outside, the clear Honda highlight of the day was this S1 Lotus Exige. With a Honda K-series engine with Rotrex supercharger replacing the factory Rover, it embodies the pinnacle of both manufacturers, resulting in a record-breaking machine.

These examples only scratch the surface of Honda’s presence at MSB. The paddocks were also discussed But-inspired EC hatches, carbon fiber S2000s, several CR-Xs and a few Integra Type Rs, showcasing Italy’s diverse Honda culture.