Civic Type R Takes Production Car Lap Record at Silverstone Circuit
British Touring Car Champion, and long-time Honda racer Matt Neal got the job done on this mega lap.
Honda has been on an unstoppable mission to prove that any established front-wheel drive records will be smashed, and in turn, handed over them. Having just won that accolade at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, The Drive reports Honda spared not even a moment before doing exactly the same thing at the Silverstone Circuit in England.
At the Helm was British Touring Car Championship driver Matt Neal, who has been around Silverstone a time or two. As a Factory racer for Honda, Neal is a BTCC champion, and was the obvious pick for the job. Silverstone Circuit’s 3.66 mile course highlighted all of the Type R’s best attributes, according to Neal.
Of the Type R, Neal remarks, “Where I found the real advantage of the Type R was really in the high-speed corners — the stability which is a combination of the aero and the new advanced suspension system.” Although the looks of the Type R might be polarizing to some, Neal’s remarks prove that each aero element is there for a purpose. As well, it’s important to note that this lap was set on the full length GP circuit, rather than some of the other configurations for Silverstone.
This all follows a tidal wave of good energy with solid results from Scuderia Torro Rosso, and the recent announcement of Red Bull switching to Honda power for the 2019 season. Speaking of Formula 1, former Honda driver Jenson Button will be the hired hot shoe as the Type R travels to more circuits to gather more records. Honda won’t say where they’ll go next, but we have a feeling they will have an easy task ahead.
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