Honda Performance Development (HPD), the racing arm of Honda, has engineered a thrilling new addition to its customer racing lineup: the Honda Civic Type R TC. This purpose-built race car is designed for both seasoned professionals competing in series like SRO TC Americas and passionate Honda Civic Type R enthusiasts eager to elevate their track experience.
For drivers ready to transition from spirited track days in their stock Honda Civic Type R to the adrenaline-pumping world of competitive touring car racing, the Type R TC offers a comprehensive, race-ready solution. Exclusively available to Honda Racing Line members with valid racing licenses, this track weapon comes with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $89,900. The Type R TC proudly joins the Civic Si TCA and Type R TCR, completing HPD’s impressive portfolio of turn-key, Civic-based racing machines.
For racers seeking detailed specifications, the complete Type R TC spec sheet is available for download here.
“The remarkable success of Honda Performance Development’s TCA Civic Si and TCR Type R in North American touring car championships has sparked significant demand for more readily available, race-prepared Honda Touring Cars in North America,” stated Ted Klaus, President of Honda Performance Development. “With the introduction of the new Honda Civic Type R TC class race car, we now provide a complete spectrum of turn-key, Civic-based race cars tailored for registered racing customers across North America.”
Engineered for TC Class Supremacy
The Honda Civic Type R TC is meticulously crafted to excel in TC-class competition. HPD engineers undertook the development and rigorous testing of this machine in-house, leveraging their extensive expertise in both production car and race vehicle engineering, including the development of the successful HPD Civic Si TCA race car. Final assembly is expertly handled by Gradient Racing in Austin, Texas.
The foundation of the Honda Civic Type R TC is a body in white sourced from Honda’s Swindon, England plant. Power comes from the robust and track-proven 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo engine, supplied by Honda of America Mfg. in Anna, Ohio. This powerplant is tuned to deliver between 270 and 330 horsepower, adaptable to the specific regulations of different racing series.
While retaining the stock Honda Civic Type R body panels, the TC variant receives a comprehensive suite of racing upgrades. These components, developed both in-house by HPD and in collaboration with select performance partners, transform the production car into a true track weapon, saving racers considerable time and expense in building a competitive car themselves. Key enhancements include:
- High-flow front grille for optimized cooling.
- J’s Racing FRP vented hood to further enhance heat management.
- CSF-designed radiator and oil cooler to maintain optimal engine temperatures under racing conditions.
- HPD/Borla downpipe and turbo back exhaust system for improved performance and sound.
- 6-speed manual transmission featuring high-strength 3rd and 4th gears built to withstand the rigors of racing.
- HPD/Cusco limited slip differential for enhanced traction and cornering performance.
- HPD Girodisc 2-piece front brake rotors and HPD brake inlet ducts for superior braking power and cooling.
- HPD/Pyrotect bolt-in FIA 16-gallon fuel cell for safety and endurance racing compliance.
- Welded multi-point racing cage for maximum driver protection.
- OMP racing seat with 6-point harness to securely hold the driver during high-G maneuvers.
Honda Racing Line: Your Gateway to the Grid
The Honda Civic Type R TC class race car is exclusively available to registered North American racing customers holding racing licenses through HPD’s Honda Racing Line program. This program is your entry point to compete in the SRO TC Americas series, as well as select classes within SCCA and NASA.
Beyond providing a fully prepared race car, HPD offers comprehensive support to its racing customers. This includes trackside factory engineering and parts support, ensuring racers have the resources they need to perform at their best. Furthermore, an exclusive technical support line connects racing customers directly with HPD engineers, even when away from the track.
L.A. Honda World Racing Leads the Charge
HPD proudly announced L.A. Honda World Racing as the inaugural customer for the new Honda Civic Type R TC, with the team set to field two cars in the 2020 SRO TC Americas series competition. L.A. Honda World Racing is no stranger to Civic racing success, having campaigned three Civic Type R TCR race cars in IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Challenge in 2019 and continuing in 2020. Their TCR program has been highly competitive, securing multiple wins with talented drivers like Tom O’Gorman, Shelby Blackstock, Mike Lamarra, and Matt Pombo.
Mario Biundo, President of L.A. Honda World Racing, expressed his enthusiasm: “After an exceptional first year with our TCR program, we are thrilled and confident to expand our Honda racing efforts with this Honda Civic Type R in the SRO TC Class next year. With our experienced team and competitive race cars, we anticipate challenging for the top positions in 2020.”
He further added, “With its direct connection to the production car and the rich racing heritage of the entire Honda Civic line, we are confident it will elevate awareness of Honda as a motorsport brand and highlight the customer-focused mindset of our dealership employees. We are committed to making 2020 an even more successful year for Honda and L.A. Honda World Racing across both series.”
The HPD Touring Car Ladder: From Entry-Level to Pro Racing
Honda’s “Racing Spirit” is deeply ingrained in the company’s DNA, making Honda the preferred choice for a vast community of professional and amateur racers. HPD caters to this diverse group by offering a clear “ladder” of turn-key touring car solutions, spanning from entry-level TCA to the pinnacle TCR series. While all three models are based on showroom-stock counterparts, each features specific modifications tailored for success in various touring car race series across the U.S. and globally, accommodating a range of budgets.
HPD Civic Si TCA: This entry-level turn-key race car, based on the Civic Si Coupe, provides an accessible and affordable pathway to Touring Car Americas competition. It features significant racing modifications, including an SRO-homologated roll cage, competition-spec suspension, electronics, and brake components.
HPD Type R TC: Stepping up in performance, the Type R TC blends HPD-designed components with carefully selected and tested partner racing parts. This creates a formidable track weapon that honors the legendary Honda Civic Type R performance heritage.
HPD Type R TCR: The pinnacle of Honda’s Touring Car racing program is the Type R TCR, a collaborative effort with JAS Motorsport in Milan, Italy. Engineered for global TCR-class competition, the Type R TCR boasts specialized bodywork, a seam-welded body, a sequential transmission, and a host of high-end racing modifications for ultimate Civic Pro Racing performance.
Civic Si TCA vs. Type R TC vs. Type R TCR: A Comparative Overview
| Civic Si TCA | Type R TC | Type R TCR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (for eligible Honda Racing Line members) | $52,500* | $89,900* | $172,238* |
| Drivetrain | |||
| Engine | – 1.5-liter inline-4 (production-based) | – 2.0-liter inline-4 (production-based) | – 2.0-liter inline-4 (production-based) – Calibrated and sealed by JAS Motorsport |
| Engine Management | – Production-based ECU – HPD or customer-tuned (series dependent) | – Production-based ECU – HPD or customer-tuned (series dependent) | – Motec M142 ECU with custom wiring harness – Mapped for 100 octane fuel |
| Cooling | – HPD CSF radiator – OE Honda intercooler | – HPD CSF radiator and auxiliary oil coolers – HPD cooling ducts – OE Honda intercooler | – High performance radiator, oil cooler and intercooler – Ducting for engine, radiator, and intercooler |
| Fuel | – Direct injected 91+ octane unleaded (series dependent) | – Direct injected 91+ octane unleaded (series dependent) | – Direct injected, 100 octane unleaded race fuel |
| Exhaust | – HPD/Borla downpipe and turbo back exhaust | – HPD/Borla downpipe and turbo back exhaust | – Competition stainless exhaust with racing-grade catalytic converter |
| Performance | – 200+ HP | – 306+ HP | – 340 hp |
| Transmission & Differential | – OEM 6-speed manual transmission – HPD high strength 4th gear – HPD/Cusco Limited Slip Differential – HPD single mass flywheel | – OEM 6-speed manual transmission – HPD high strength 3rd and 4th gears – HPD Cusco limited slip differential | – Xtrac 6-speed sequential gearbox – Hydraulic paddle shifters – Limited slip differential w/exterior adjustable preload – Gearbox oil cooler – JAS twin-disc racing clutch – Bespoke 6kg flywheel |
| Chassis | |||
| Suspension | – Front MacPherson strut, multi-link rear – HPD/Bilstein inverted double adjustable dampers – Eibach race springs – HPD front camber and caster plates – HPD/SPC rear camber adjustment – HPD/SPC rear camber adjustment – Upgraded HPD/RV6 rear lower arms for race spring rates and positive toe adjustment – Enkei RPF1 cast aluminum wheels, 17 x 8 in. | – Front dual axis MacPherson strut, multi-link rear – HPD/Bilstein inverted double adjustable dampers – Eibach race springs – HPD front camber and caster plates – HPD/SPC rear camber adjustment – HPD/RV6 rear adjustable stabilizer bar – Spherical suspension bushings and damper mounts – Upgraded HPD/RV6 rear lower arms for race spring rates and positive toe adjustment – Forgestar F14 rotary formed aluminum wheels, 18 x 9.5 in. | – Front Ohlins TTX NK56 dampers – Rear Ohlins 2 way S46 dampers – Rear anti-roll bar with 3 holes for adjustment – 3 front and 2 rear sway bars with different stiffness (optional) – 3 sets of springs with different stiffness (optional) – JAS OZ Racing cast aluminum wheels, 18 x 10 in. |
| Steering | – Production electric power steering – OMP racing wheel and quick disconnect – OE Honda tilt / telescopic column | – Production electric power steering – OMP racing wheel and quick disconnect – OE Honda tilt / telescopic column | – Electric power steering with heavy-duty arms – Heavy-duty ball joints on front lower wishbone – Multifunction quick disconnect wheel |
| Brakes | – HPD Wilwood Superlite front brakes with 6-piston calipers – Wilwood 2-pc slotted rotors, 327x28mm – OEM rear brakes with single-piston calipers – HPD Goodridge front and rear braided brake lines – HPD ABS modulator – Carbon fiber brake cooling inlet ducts | – Brembo 4-piston calipers – HPD Girodisc 2-pc front rotors 350mm x 32mm – OEM rear calipers and rotors – HPD Goodridge front and rear braided brake lines – HPD ABS Modulator – Variety of Sprint/Endurance brake compounds available – HPD brake cooling inlet ducts | – JAS AP Racing front brake calipers with 380mm x 35mm DS4 discs – JAS Motorsport rear brake calipers with 260mm x 9mm discs Endurance Option – 380x35mm with 64mm brake pad surface – Brake cooling ducts from bumper to upright – Bosch racing ABS – Switch-on central console with 12 working levels |
| Body | – Stock Honda Civic Si Coupe – High-flow front grille – HPD brake cooling inlet ducts – Adjustable electric side mirrors | – High-flow front grille – HPD oil cooler, brake, and radiator inlet ducts – J’s Racing FRP vented hood – HPD APR adjustable rear wing – Adjustable electric side mirrors | – Front/rear composite wheel arches – Front/rear composite bumper – Adjustable front splitter – Hood scoop – Composite side skirts – JAS rear wing under TCR regulations – Airjack system |
| Structure | – Welded multipoint roll cage – OMP racing seat – OMP 6-pt harness – OMP window and center nets – OMP on board fire control system – HPD/Hasport polyurethane engine mounts | – Welded multipoint roll cage – OMP racing seat – OMP 6-pt harness – OMP window and center nets – OMP on board fire control system – HPD/Hasport polyurethane engine mounts | – Seam-welded body panels – TIG-welded roll cage, homologated by MSA-UK – Cross bracing and gusseting for maximum stiffness – OMP 6-pt harness – OMP seat – Cool suit system (optional) – Heated Lexan screen (optional) Endurance Option – Adjustable electrical side mirrors on center console – UV cockpit lights – Drink system – Lighted door number |
| Other | |||
| Electronics | – AIM MXP 1.2 data logger – Motec C125 data logger (optional) | – AIM MXP 1.2 data logger – Motec C125 data logger (optional) – 4-wheel suspension position sensors (optional) | – Motec PDM30 power distribution (factory sealed) – Motec C127 data logger |
| Fueling | – 12.4-gallon capacity | – HPD Pyrotect Bolt-in FIA fuel cell – 16-gallon capacity – High flow filler neck and cap in OE location | – FT3 100-liter tank – Racing collector tank – Aero-quality hoses and fittings – 3 lift pumps and filters – Stabuli D12 refueling Endurance Option – Filler neck on right C-pillar built to VLN standards – Quick refueling standard 1 left and 1 right |
| Eligible racing series | – SRO Touring Car Americas TCA class – SCCA T3 class – NASA ST5 & E2 | – SRO Touring Car Americas TC class – SCCA T2 class – NASA ST3 & E0 | – SRO Touring Car Americas TCR class – IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR class – World TCR |
*Does not include spare parts and support
About Honda Performance Development
Honda Performance Development, Inc. (HPD) is Honda’s North American racing company and a subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Founded in 1993, HPD serves as the technical operations center for Honda’s high-performance racing programs.
HPD specializes in the design and development of race engines, chassis, and performance parts, offering technical and race support. Honda Performance Development provides parts and race support to grassroots motorsports racers within the Honda and Acura communities. HPD is committed to expanding support for racing series and programs, making Honda racing products accessible across all racing disciplines, from karting and Quarter Midgets to the highest echelons of professional racing. Learn more at hpd.honda.com.
