Latest News From the UK S2000 Owners Club

Speculation continues that there could be an S2000 successor in the wings.

PistonHeads were talking about the next Civic Type R in a recent interview with Honda R&D's Suehiro Hasshi and our friend Kotaro Yamamoto (translator, off duty race driver and original test driver of the S2000).

When counting a list of a few of the sporty models Honda used to produce on his fingers, he said...

"The NSX is confirmed to come back. The Beat is confirmed to come back. The Type R is confirmed to come back..." then wiggling his finger representing the S2000, "There's no-way this one doesn't come back."

Who knows what the future S2000 would be called, Hasshi-san is reported to have said "...there is no complete plan", but that it was Honda's ambition to offer the best products in terms of driving pleasure; and as we know the S2000 certinaly lives up to that.

When I met Funabashi-san (one of the original 4 designers) back in July 2009, I managed to get a hint that the NSX replacement plan was 99% done when the project was stopped, and that there was work going on an S2000 replacement back then - let's hope this is revived too!

The 4 original designers at Motegi Twin Ring in July 2009 - left to right:  Hitoshi (Kin) Nakano, responsible for the power train development of the S2000,  Ryouji Tsukamoto, responsible for suspension development of the S2000, Sigeru Uehara, Chief Designer of the S2000, and Funabashi-san

 Adding to the speculation is the Honda S2000 "Modulo Climax" shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon - interesting showing a car that is out of production, maybe it's intended for owners wanting to perk up their aging 'S' with "cutting edge aeroform design" and a "chic interior co-ordinated in black and burgundy". Honda has used the Modulo name on several ranges of body kits and exterior accessories previously in Japan. Think most will stick with the original!

Honda says the car simply previews a new range of accessories it has in store for the roadster. Is it unusual for a car manufacturer to offer these sorts of parts 3 years after a model ceased production? Maybe, but it’s not unprecedented – Modulo recently offered a range of add-ons for the Beat and NSX, which ended production in 1996 and 2005, respectively.

....Oh, hang on a minute, both of those now have confirmed replacements!

EV-STER Concept in Tokyo	NSX Concept in Detriot

Here is a fantastic offer from the team at the VTEC Challenge race series, in which our very own Mark Bennett competed in during 2012.  It's been posted on their facebook page and due to the S2000 interest we've agreed to post it here too.

This is an amazing money can’t buy offer brought to you by Ben Viner and his team at HEL Performance.

With their outstanding freshly built Honda S2000, they will take on the might of the 2013 British Time Attack where their driver, Charlie Butler-Henderson, will compete against some of the most outrageous track based cars seen in the UK.

Following discussions with Ben, an amazing prize package has been put together, which will be up for grabs to the highest bidder in an auction in association with VTEC Challenge.

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As the snow has hit most of the country here's a few tips for the S2000 in the snow.  You may be surprised that used correctly the S can actually be driveable and safe and fun in the snow.  

Feel free to comment with your own tips or tricks!

Driving:

• High gear, low revs
• Don't spin your wheels if you get stuck
• Steady on the power, especially in corners
• Brake gently
• Top down!

Better Boots!

Winter tyres make all the difference - lots of people recommend Kumho Izen winter tyres, which are available in both 16" and 17" (Check out our tyre suppliers who offer discounts, especially those that could come to you in this weather!)  They offer much better grip in very wet and snow conditions.  Others have had good experience with Bridgestone Blizzaks too.

Kumho tread:

Snow Socks

These have proven very good in snow, but as soon as you are off the snow they need to be removed or they will get ripped up on tarmac.  They are tricky to put on and off due to the small clearance between tyre and car.  Here's our Irish friend Spike with a demo!

So, with all that done, you could enjoy the snow as much as euan did a few years ago:

As a surprise, we arranged Casino tables for XM and much fun was had by all.

Needless to say the fun helped us to raise some money for charity, thanks to selling the 'fun money' to exchange for casino chips!

We raised an amazing £300 to help feed Homeless people in Northampton on Christams Day this year.  Their funding pot also had a little boost as it was paid over from me thus they got Gift aid.

Thanks everyone for being so generous - our great Christmas Party night means that some less fortunate than us will have a a tasty meal on Chritmas day.  Perhaps we should also mention that a few other folk who were at the same party also chipped in - so Barclays at Foleshill ROad Coventry and Mrs Jordan's table...thank you too!

Happy Christmas everyone

Sue

Monies donated to:  http://hopeenterprises.org.uk/index.php    
 

S2KUK will once again be at this truely awesome weekend, with plenty of classic racing, magnificent sights, getting extremely close up to the action, walking the pits.  All this while enjoying the company of other like minded people, with BBQs, Pimm's, beers, and in the evening plenty of entertainment including the famous Harley Davidson Tent and live music.

Book 2 for 1 Club Stand tickets before 30th May using the code below! 

BOOK BEFORE 31st March for additional EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!

S2KUK Club 2 for 1 ticket booking code is C13205 

(2x 3 Day tickets + Stand Pass £95 - EARLY BIRD BEFORE 31st MARCH IS £80)

Use this code to book tickets and camping space by clicking here 

PLEASE NOTE CAREFULLY:  once the code is entered - the description of the ticket changes from "3 DAY ADVANCED" to "3 DAY ADVANCED CCM PACKAGE" which includes 2x Adult tickets and 1 infield car stand pass - so order 1 unit (which is 2 tickets plus vehicle pass) 

You WILL NOT get a stand pass unless you use that code - they are issued by Silverstone Classic and not the Club!

Report on 2012 and pictures here

Pictures from 2011 are here

Further information on the S2KI Forum here 

There is lots of further information about the event on the SSC website http://www.silverstoneclassic.com

The S2KUK 2013 Calendar is now ready to order!  

ORDER NOW to get it in time for Christmas!

Click here to order now!

Donington Historic Festival - Donington Park, May 3rd, 4th and 5th 2013

Donington Park has seen many unforgettable racing moments over the decades and, for 2013, the Festival is celebrating two particularly iconic ones; the 30th anniversary of the first time the late, great Ayrton Senna got behind the wheel of an F1 car, and the 20th anniversary of his extraordinary display of mastery over the rain in the 1993 European Grand Prix. This tribute to Senna, combined with the close-fought and exhilarating competition out on the track – with over 400 historic racing cars, spanning seven decades – looks set to prove a big draw for classic car enthusiasts from across the UK and internationally. This is the first time that the Festival has been held over three days. On each day of the Festival gates open at 07.30am and the circuit activity starts at 9am, finishing at around 6pm on the Friday, 7.30pm on the Saturday and 6pm on the Sunday.

Racing will take place mainly on the Saturday and Sunday, with qualifying taking place mostly on the Friday. The provisional timetable will be announced early in 2013. Members of car clubs registered to attend the event benefit from a two-for-one ticket offer on advance tickets when they quote their unique club code at time of booking (deadline Friday, April 19th), and will receive one infield pass for every pair of tickets they buy, allowing them to join the other cars on display in their club's dedicated infield parking area, to create a fantastic exhibit for all spectators to enjoy. www.doningtonhistoric.com

S2KUK will be in attendance on a great stand, click below for further details and booking codes for special ticket rates!

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