Yellow Fever

In January of 1987, Dijon Cars opened its doors as a small wholesale parts company with one goal in mind: to provide the highest quality automotive components. Four months after the unveiling of Dijon Cars, a subdivision by the name of 5Zigen was conceived, producing the companies line of performance exhaust systems. Pushing the envelope, 5Zigen began campaigning race cars in August of 1989, entering highly-competitive race series such as JGTC, Formula Nippon (leading open-wheel series in Japan) and Super Taikyu, leaving their competitors in the dust.

Established in 2001, after the exit of the highly popular Civic Inter Cup Race Series, the Verno Exciting Cup Integra One-Make Race debuted as the next fully-sanctioned and authorized race by Honda Corporation of Japan. Considered Japan's most popular racing event, the Verno Cup is believed to be the most competitive race venue with a maximum of 40 drivers competing in a nail-biting, free-for-all race. Because of strict rules and regulations handed down to each driver and team members, high-levels of driving technique are needed to win each event. In comparison to the JGTC or GT-Race series, which use pro drivers, the majority of the Integra One-Make drivers are non-professional racers, who captivate the fans with the most high level sprint race for non-professional drivers in Japan. Enter the 2002 5Zigen Integra Type-R (DC5 chassis) equipped with a K20A engine. The 5Zigen Integra Type-R, otherwise known as the Acura RSX in the U.S., has made an indelible mark for itself in the race community. In July of 2003, the 5Zigen Integra Type-R campaigned in the group N+ class at the Super Taikyu 24-hour endurance race in Tokachi, Japan. Completing the full 869 laps, 5Zigen's Integra was so dominant when crossing the finish line, the second place competitor was nowhere to be found. As the race continued it was annouced the second place driver was 11 laps behind the 5Zigen car and a whopping 18 minutes off pace.

The most respected competitors are the individuals who utilize race cars to their full potential without the use of turbo kits or nitrous. Take, for example, the All Motor Class in drag racing where often there is less than one thousandth of a second separating many of the drivers from setting world record times. The level of driving skill and team knowledge to extract those all important two to three horsepower is what gives the teams and drivers the respect they knowingly deserve. Competitive One-Make Racing is no exception to the rules.

Verno Exciting Cup Integra One-Make Race series, which are similar to SCCA spec Miata type racing, are under strict rules and guidelines, regulating the power output of all it's competitors.The K20A engine must contain the stock intake air box, stock engine internals, and spec ECU as per series rules allow. Under strict HOA (Honda One-Make Race Association) regulations, no team is allowed to modify the K20A's internals at any time or alter any components under guideline rules. Although the engine is to remain stock internally, the K20A was fully disassembled, balanced and blueprinted by 5Zigen engineers. For those not familiar with the brand Pro Racer it's a performance brand under 5Zigen International dealing strictly with their race-campaigned vehicles.

5Zigen's Pro Racer air intake sits behind the factory grill and is fully comprised of carbon fiber, thus directing cold air into the stock Type-R air box. 5Zigen Pro Racer engine dampeners and modified factory motor mounts ensure the constant on and off pedaling in race situations will prevent the engine from transversely rocking back and forth in the engine bay. High temperature track conditions along with high rpm driving will take any engine to the ragged edge. To aid in cooling, an aluminum ARC radiator now sits up front.

If you're a big fan of racing in Japan and have been following the One-Make Race religiously, you might have noticed a not so familiar shiny component under the hood. Don't fret, you racing addicts! The 5Zigen Pro Racer exhaust manifold is a prototype stainless steel unit installed on the vehicle for display purposes only. Under HOA rules, the original factory Type-R exhaust manifold must be used in the series. The only modifications allowed on the exhaust system is from the collector back. Granted, it is race approved and meets the newly-introduced 2003 90dB requirement rule. Following guidelines, a 5Zigen Pro Racer EX-3, A-spec (modified) 60mm race-spec exhaust without the resonator now resides on the yellow Type-R.

Crack open the driver side door and your in for a JDM/SCCA enthusiast treat. A Mugen full race-spec seven-point roll cage is securely welded onto modified points within the sub frame. The cages are inspected and marked for approval before every race to HOA standards. Bride Zeta II carbon-kevlar bucket seat combined with a set of MPH-340 Takata Harnesses ensure driver Keiichi Kobayashi is securely fastened within the confines of the vehicle at highly-rated speeds. The Mugen window netting is added on the window sills to help keep Kobayashi's arms inside the vehicle at all times. What was once the stock key ignition on the Integra is discarded and covered with a small plastic cover.

Utilizing four switches labeled ECU, Fan, M/T and Main Kill Switch on the center dash console brings the K20A motor roaring to life. Perhaps the most intriguing item on the Integra sits eye level with the driver. Positioned in the original gauge cluster is a P-1 electronic readout unit. The P1 meter is the same product used on Formula cars throughout the world. The P1 cluster offers full digital monitoring of the engine vitals also including the ever important lap time readout for circuit racing competition.

Sitting on the passenger side floorboard in clear open view is a Mugen prepped ECU. Mugen has modified all competitors' ECUs for specific Type-R race-spec ignition and timing map. The K20A's redline has been set at 8600 rpm while the VTEC switchover points have been altered to 5250 rpm. Strict rules by HOA require anti-tamper stickers be placed on each of the competitors' Mugen spec ECU to ensure unnecessary modifications have not been made. So you want to talk about HOA flexing their power? How's this for size? Spec series rules state any ECU that has been moved from its original location by a team is in direct violation and is deemed for immediate disqualification from competition. After each event, random cars are selected to participate in quality control checks, using the data ports located on the dash to download and monitor all systems to see if any alterations have been made to the vehicles computer.

In order to replenish spent fuel, a carbon-fiber access panel located within the cars interior needs to be unlatched and opened. Replacing the factory fuel tank is a Mugen 10-gallon fuel cell. To aid in proper fuel supply, a Mugen fuel pump is thrown in the mix. Under strict HOA regulations, fuel pumps, fuel cell and even gas are carefully inspected and distributed among all competitive teams before each race.

Equipped with a set of Zeal six-way adjustable V6 race coilovers on all four corners alongside Mugen under link suspension components, the Integra's lowered stance ensures uncompromising handling regardless of track conditions. With quick, controlled turns of the Personal 330mm steering wheel, the 5Zigen FN01R-C 17x8 (+43 offset) rims wrapped in Falken Azenis AT215 (215/45 R17) tires grip the tarmac as if on a set of rails. Full factory strut braces along with a 5Zigen prototype front triangular strut bar increase the already rigid spot-welded Integra chassis. Aiding in control and traction is an ATS limited slip differential which provides equal power transfer through both wheels. Heavy dumping of the clutch and rev-matching is sourced through an Exedy full race clutch. HOA regulations require factory brake calipers and rotors to be used on all race vehicles. Luckily the Type-R comes direct from the factory sporting Brembo rotors and calipers, eliminating one less headache. Combining the brakes with Endless CCX type pads and full stainless steel brake lines the cars braking pedal is firm and responsive when entering a tightly banked turn. With heavy braking during competition, full carbon-fiber 5Zigen Pro Racer brake cooling ducts were implemented to aid in heat dissipation. Upon close inspection of the brakes it's evident that multiple hairline cracks on the face of the rotor prove the extreme temperatures the brakes witness during competition. The exterior is simple yet subtle. Paint and bodywork is under the careful eyes of Confidence Inc.

Confidence is a local repair shop near the 5zigen race factory in the city of Yao, Osaka. Additional upgrades to the exterior include a carbon-fiber Mugen rear wing, stock Type-R body kit, and Cusco bonnet pins.

Weeks following the 2NR photo shoot, the 5Zigen team prepared the Integra to campaign against U.S. drivers at Topeka Kansas in a SCCA runoff. Behind the helms was to be none other than Seigo Yamamoto, D1 drifter extraordinaire. Due to unforeseen circumstances ,SCCA disallowed the car from seeing any track time. Because SCCA considers anything JDM or overseas to posses heightened advantages over the standard U.S.-spec vehicles, the only way to compete was if the car ran under the Open Class category, which meant going up against Porsches and Ferraris. Now is that unfair or what?! With 5Zigen's strong presence in circuit racing, and a successful 2003 season, we look forward to their continued success in the years to follow.