Feature: Rapture In A Box

It's the classic battle between David vs. Golliath, Rudolph the Reindeer vs. the abominable snowman, and Amy Winehouse vs. a comb, deodorant, and toothbrush. Even though it would be easier to saw your own arm off with an electric rotary saw, some people would rather use the blunt end of a lawn mover blade, just to see if it could be done. This is the thought that came across my mind as Gian Carlo Sevilla told me he traded in his Mitsubishi Evo for a 2003 Honda S2000. On the street, the Evo is practically unbeatable, and if you like going really fast at the track, the Evo is still the obvious choice. However, if you like to work really hard while driving fast, the S2 is clearly your automobile.

“The S2 teaches you how to drive,”says Gian. “You make a mistake and you're going to spin.”

Gian has been around the Evo scene for several years, having worked at MFQ Motorsports in Burbank. From his experience sitting between the rails of both chassis’s, Gian is torn when asked which car he prefers for the track.

“It's like apples to oranges—both are suited for the track in different ways,” says Gian. “When it comes to handling, grip, and speed, the Evo is all there—It doesn't take much to modify, and for really cheap you can get it to go fast and handle well.”

“The S2 is great out of the box, too,” explains Gian, beginning to talk himself into a quandary. “It is a great design—It wasn't a matter of favoritism, I just wanted a change in scenery, and knew I couldn't go wrong.”

In 2003, the S2 was still an AP1 generation, which means it has no Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Well, technically it does, if you count the fact that you are the stability control. If you look to Wikipedia for the definition of ESC, it reads, ...a computerized technology that improves safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When driving any performance car to its max, pushing the car to its brink of safety and stability is what it's all about. If you watch enough professionals who drive supercars for a living, that little black “TCS Off” button is usually the second button to be pressed, right after the “Start”.

The only thing to conclude, is that the S2 is purely a driver's car. It is a raw powerhouse, nimble and light. The S2 has a short wheel base, which can be a bit of a handful for most, but in the right hands, it is an incredibly rewarding car to experience at the track.

Gian got word of the S2 for sale through an online forum. He was lucky to have a friend who works at a local body shop, who had experience with the car, and knew its history.

“He told me all about the car, and that was all I needed to know,” says Gian. “I decided to pick it up.”

Having been a pampered show car in its previous life, the S2 even came with its own upgrades. These included a front and rear Cusco strut bars, Function & Form (type II) coilovers, Mugen-style CF intake, Mishimoto radiator, ASM front bumper, APR Formula GT3 side mirrors, Password canards, Downforce side skirts, Seibon (MG-style) hood, and a VIS (MG-style) hardtop.

“I told him straight up that I was not going to use the car for shows,” says Gian. “When it comes to that I'm the total opposite—I believe people should drive their cars.”

The S2 is fundamentally born for the track. As a daily driver, it has a cup holder and a decent seat that won't make your a** fall asleep. However, using one as an errand boy is a little like going out with Mila Kunis just to borrow episodes of That 70's Show.

“I have bought two things, since I've owned it—a West End Alignment from Darrin, and a set of Nitto NT05's for the track,” says Gian. “People have been tracking the car for 13 years and getting under two minutes on the track with only suspension, tires, wheels, and a gutted interior—That is something a lot of cars can't get without a lot of modifications, including the Evo.”

During track days, the Evo is the car for Gian to beat. A few other cars currently dominating the local California tracks are the C5/C6 Corvettes, replica Cobra's, and occasionally a Formula 4 even makes an appearance. The cars that make Gian cringe the most are exotics driven by cocky, arrogant, dare I say, crappy drivers.

“There was an Audi R8 last year—It was this guy's first time on the track, and he put himself in the advanced class,” recalls Gian. “He goes out on his first lap and spins out—He was bumped to high intermediate, then low intermediate, and finally down to beginner class before the day was through.”

If you can't afford an Audi R8, and you want to learn how to drive a car without relying on modern technology to mask your diaper, a Mazda Miata is where you need to be. The parts are cheap. The car itself is cheap, and not only does it respond with the finesse of an S2. Its simplicity offers a sharp learning curve when it comes to learning the techniques of proper track driving.

While there is hopefully a black Porsche Carrera GT in Gian's future, he's satisfied with his S2000 for the next couple years. In particular, he is impressed with the S2ki.com Southern California community, who are friendly, helpful, and a wealth of information for the AP1 and AP2 Honda's. When he's not contributing to the forums, you can catch him hanging out with his friends, who call themselves the “626” (in reference to the area code).

Good luck at the track this season, Gian!