Back to the Future Part V(TEC)

It has been years since I’ve experienced a Honda-specific event or even a Japanese-centric event, instead spending the last few years focused on cars of European heritage – having thrust myself into ownership of one from The People’s Car Company no doubt a factor.

However, I have been a casual observer of the local Honda scene for over a decade now despite never having owned one. And despite having known about the Honda Nationals for roughly the same time, for one reason or another I never took the opportunity to go. Have I been missing out? Probably not. Though it was exciting to re-enter a familiar space.

The late model Civics, Integras and S2000s of old I was so used to seeing were back in the periphery, but my eyes and ears were firmly set on the Honed Developments AH Civic in all of its carburetted glory. Alas, it was not meant to be with the car blowing a hole through the side of its block on the first session of the day. One of many stories of woe at any given race day. But indeed how refreshing it was to hear that distinctive crossover point and the notes of highly-strung 4-cylinders at 9,000 RPM once again.