The 12-hour-long Merdeka Millennium Endurance (MME) race is the equivalent of a marathon event, although the objective isn’t so much about crossing the finish line first but clocking the most number of laps in the 12 hours. To do well, the car must be efficient, light and fit.
This Civic Type R is a good example of an endurance racecar. And the version built by Mugen, Honda’s reputable in-house tuner, is the one to have. This was Winston’s weapon of choice for his first assault at the MME.
An endurance race enables a driver, even one with limited race experience, to have a taste of what racing is all about, without the pressures associated with shorter and, hence, faster-paced fixed-lap races.
All that is needed is a racecar with good handling, great brakes, decent power output, above-average fuel economy and, most importantly, all-round reliability.
This race machine started life as a basic Honda Civic Type R in Japan and Winston managed to enlist the services of Mugen to modify it to the specifications that he wanted. Normally, this is not possible, as Mugen does not allow its race-prepped cars to be exported. But Winston managed to get his hands on one because of a “secret” contact.
Big power outputs can spell disaster in a race as long as the MME, so Winston requested that the standard 2-litre be just lightly modified so as to make it more durable – and also to keep costs down.
The quality of the engine work shows. Re-built, balanced and installed with Mugen endurance valve springs, baffled oil sump, engine cooler and a race-spec exhaust which “spits” and “pops” at every downchange, it ran the full 12 hours relatively fuss-free.
Mated to it was a Mugen-fettered gearbox with customised first five ratios for improved torque, as well as an ATS one-way LSD for added traction when cornering, ATS metal clutch for better power transfer, and arguably the most important component – a Mugen driveshaft that has been strengthened for endurance racing use.
With the engine, drivetrain and gearbox taken care of, Mugen waved their magic wand on the suspension of the car. On went their height-adjustable N1 racing dampers, which also feature damping force adjustability, springs, bushings and a customised 21mm-thick rear stabiliser bar.
An AP Racing front brake set-up that comprises large ventilated disc rotors and powerful 6-piston callipers ably handled braking duties. And to keep the weight down even more, a set of 17-inch Wedsport forged alloy wheels, shod with Michelin racing slicks, were fitted.
Rounding out the makeover, the stripped-bare cabin was fitted with a racing roll cage, and the all-important driver’s area has been “spruced up” with an OMP rally-style steering wheel. And holding Winston firmly in place during high-G cornering moments is a Recaro SPG-111 KK bucket seat and FIA-approved OMP 6-point harness combo.
+ Engine/Electronics
> Mugen re-built and balanced K20A engine
> Mugen endurance valve springs & baffled oil Sump
> Mugen engine oil cooler
> Mugen race-spec exhaust system
> ATL FIA-approved 95-litre safety fuel cell
> ATL quick-charge refuelling system
> AIM Pista MXL GPS-enabled data display unit
+ Gearbox/Drivetrain
> Mugen endurance-prepared driveshaft
> Mugen customised 1st to 5th gear ratios
> ATS one-way LSD
> ATS metal clutch
+ Suspension/Handling
> Mugen N1 dampers with adjustable height and damping force
> Mugen customised springs
> Mugen 21mm rear stabiliser bar
> Mugen race-spec bushings
+ Wheels/Brakes
> AP Racing brake bias
> AP Racing six-pot brake system (front)
> Wedsport 17-inch forged alloy wheels
> Michelin racing slicks
+ Interior
> AST internal airjack system
> Recaro SPG-111 KK racing seats
> OMP deep-dish steering wheel
> OMP six-point harness
