There was a great deal of action in the import/performance compact segment of the market at the 2000 SEMA Show. Held in Las Vegas, Nevada in early November, 2000, the show highlighted familiar names in the import racing industry, namely Adam Saruwatari and Stephan Papadakis.
Both racers were on hand to unveil new race cars.
Adam's long-anticipated NSXmaterialized and looked to be well worth the wait. The front-engine, rear-drive proposition featured a narrowed rear-end and fat gumballs that were impressively tucked under the Acura's swooping body. The engine and trans were mounted and the car's MoTec M48 engine management system was ready to be whipped into shape.
One of the car's major sponsors, Enkei, was developing a drag wheel especially for the NSX. The EDR01 (Enkei Drag 01) consists of a spun aluminum barrel with a billet center disc that is connected via titanium bolts.
Steph's new car was a bit more of a surprise. The tube-frame 2001 coupe was a rolling chassis (no engine, dash etc.) but Steph plans to run an engine already built for his hatchback so the transition should be quick. The fact that this car was on the turnstile in Honda's booth was noteworthy in itself. Honda has developed Racers Against Street Racing (RASR), a program aimed at keeping racers on the track where safety to themselves and bystanders is ensured.
"We all want to have fun with our vehicles, to customize and personalize them, but racing belongs only on the track, never on the street," said Jim Roach, American Honda parts division VP. "At Honda, we feel a special obligation to support the goals of this group and invite other companies and organizations to support the effort." Honda plans to run a contingency program in 2001 to encourage racers.
In other news, Turbonetics announced it had acquired Spearco Performance Products, a leading maker of intercoolers. Turbonetics plans to move shop into a 22,000-square-foot facility in Simi Valley, Calif. We also discovered that HKS has been granted a CARB Exemption Order for its EVC boost controller. This means the presence of the controller will not cause a failure by way of visual inspection. The unit is turned of for pipe testing which allows the vehicle to revert to OE boost levels.
The remaining highlights of the show and the hottest of the new products slated to hit the streets in 2001 can be gleaned by the accompanying photos.
Adam Saruwatari unveiled his wild Pro Class NSX racer in the Discount Tire booth. The car has the makings of a record setter and A&L Racing reported shakedown testing would begin in early 2001
Shades of Tokyo Auto Salon. This JZA80 Supra looked like it came off Top Secret's TAS display stand. The wide body aero kit is dope and the Supra's engine is fortified with HKS gear.
The Tenzo booth had a lot going for it.
Accel's 375+ Digital Multi-Function Ignition Control Module is used in conjunction with Accel's 300+ ignition control unit to program two-stages of rev limiting from 1000 to 12,700 rpm, retard timing for nitrous injection, retard timing for boost, and monitor engine events in real time. System can be configured with 2 or 3 Bar MAP sensor.
Tanabe was on an orange binge at SEMA. Its Skyline was joined by an all-new chop-top Civic. This Civic will make for a brother versus brother rivalry in the Kida clan. Stay tuned for the showdown in 2001.
Stephan Papadakis, winner of Turbo Magazine's racer Of The Year in the Outlaw Class (tie with Paisley) was displaying his new racer in the Honda booth.