The '04 Dodge Viper SRT-10 coupe. Powered by an 8.3L V-10 mated to a Tremec six-speed manual gearbox, this American supercar delivered 510 bhp and was capable of low 12-second quarter-mile times from the showroom. If you saw one on the road, chances are you were driving something slower...unless you were driving its chief rival, the Z06 Corvette. With an optional 405 bhp 5.7L V-8, and a lighter chassis, the Z06 offered nearly identical performance to the Viper, and did it for about $40,000 less. Low 12-second quarter-mile times? Check. Sub 4-second 0-60s? Check. Able to hold 1.0g on the skidpad? Without a squeal.
Now imagine the look on either car owner's face as their high-dollar muscle car gets hung out to dry by a naturally aspirated Honda Civic. It's a look Tage Evanson knows all to well. His '95 Civic laps Phoenix International Raceway in 1:06-4 seconds faster than any stock Viper or Corvette has ever completed the circuit. To put this in terms we can all understand, 400whp EVO VIIIs will lay down 1:09s at PIR on a good day; and race-prepped 350Zs, a solid 1:12. As a Limited FF-Class competitor of our Super Lap Battle at Buttonwillow last year, Tage and the Civic not only beat every other car in the class, but ran faster than the best times of five EVOs, three STIs, four S15 Silvias, a Supra, and a Porsche GT2-in every class. Oh, and Tage's Civic runs 11s in the quarter. Viper and Corvette owners: Find a shoulder to cry on.
Rolling Stock
What: 15x8 949 Racing wheels
Why: Increased diameter allows the use of larger rotors for better braking; and smaller sidewall tires for improved handling, but the relatively small 15-inch diameter still keeps rotational mass to a minimum. Increased width allows for wider tires and better grip.
What: 245/45-15 Nitto NT01 tires
Why: Wider, R-compound tires increase traction, improving handling, acceleration, and braking. Tage's NT01s have survived 12 full races and are still going strong; finding a balance between grip and long life is key for the privateer.
Stopping Power
What: Custom Fastbrakes setup, consisting of: two-piece 11.8-inch front and one-piece 11.4-inch rear rotors, pads, aluminum calipers, and stainless steel lines
Why: Increasing braking surface area improves stopping power, but can also increase corner weight if not done properly-adding rotational mass and suspension workload. The Fastbrakes setup Tage employs increases rotor and pad surface area, to promote cooling, and weighs 8 pounds less per corner than stock. Stainless lines keep pedal pressure firm, even under extended hard braking.