5 Years of the Honda Indy in Toronto

2014 marks 5 consecutive years, thanks Honda!

Cheered hard for James Hinchcliffe, Honda’s driver and only Canadian in the race.  Felt for you on those 2 setbacks. Your time is coming, don’t be worried.

Indy photo by Kanishka Sonnadara

(great shot eh, it’s Kanishka’s)

I asked James about how he’s able to concentrate deeply for so long, that’s the topic for this week’s column.

That part is so interesting to me, because really, every single thing, all the tech, design, money and math that are poured into this car, are all superfluous if the driver’s focus wavers.

New headers.

As close as you can get, to the fastest point,
with the most noise. Earplugs out always.

This is just before turn 3, the carnage corner.

Most crashes happen on this ridiculousness, are you kidding this turn.

I got this scarf printed in the paper HAHA.

It’s the photo for a column, one of my new favourites: The Mystery of the Checkered Flag

5 Year Highlights include:

1 – the 2012 Backstage Tour of the Indy here
2 – in 2011, I attended both days here & here (ask me about this entrance IRL)
3 – security at the Indy here
4 – the steering wheel, and what $20,000 in tires looks like
5 – five years of this sound…

Forever a ‘Top 3 Favourite Sound’

The original Civic was on display!

1973 – 40 years old now.

Here’s some history of this car; I wrote a ‘then & now’, and used it to illustrate – When the Side Mirror was Optional

And then there was a 4th Generation Civic, a forever favourite, it gets its own post.

Here’s something kinda neat – 2 of the last 5 Indy’s, I’ve driven the display car, literally. (this year at Mosport, and the year the HFPs came out, at an airport)

And did you know Honda makes the world’s only manual transmission hybrid – the Honda CRZ.

More here.

Thanks for 5 amazing years Honda!

Here’s to your team this summer, wishing you lots of wins.

 

 

The Fondest Memories of the 4th Generation Civic

It was on display at the Indy.

Saw it and poof, was instantly awash with memories.

Maybe you are now too… remember these? Everyone and their dog had one, ahh remember discovering “the open road”… that crowd that customized this car had this great energy… remember the firsts…

Remember when 92 hp made us so happy.

 

 

Spent the Afternoon with Honda at the Track

Honda invited my blog to Mosport today, for their #TameTheTrack event in celebration of this weekend’s Indy race. Easily one of the best events I’ve attended.

First, I drove an open-wheel Formula F car.

Then a gokart race. I won my heat, and had the fastest lap time of the whole day.

Then, my first track time. A Civic Si around the development track for 45 minutes!

I have video, a ton of photos, and next week’s column is about mind control.

Because I’d put my concentration skills up against anyone’s, but by the end of that 45 I was losing it. And that these racers can focus intensely for 2 hours seems superhuman to me.

Thank you Honda! And how appropriate it was you to give me my first track time.

20140715-231158-83518052.jpg

20140715-231158-83518697.jpg

20140715-231355-83635074.jpg

1973 – When a Side Mirror was Optional

Chatting with Honda’s Senior Manager of Product Planning Hayato Mori about the difference between the first-ever Civic and today’s.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

Air conditioning was available only on the top trim, and was considered a luxury feature. An audio system was an upgrade, and the only option was AM radio. And vinyl seats!

1973 Honda Civic

1.2 L engine
4-speed manual transmission
50 hp
4.7 L/100 km fuel economy

Apparently, many dealerships keep a ’73 Civic in the showroom, if ever you’d like to sit behind the wheel of olden times.

***

I saw a great ’73 Civic in Miami – here.

***

Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

The 2014 Honda Fit

2014 Honda Fit

A 1.5 L engine, outputting 117 hp and 106 lb.ft of torque, with a claimed fuel economy of 6.3 L/100km. Available in manual.

This is the Sport trim (DX, LX, Sport)

Starting at $14,635
This one $18,995

Best of available options includes: a leather steering wheel with controls, Handsfree Bluetooth phone connectivity, Cruise Control, connect an audio device via USB, and the sportier exterior styling riding on 16″ alloy wheels.

Sporty looking little guy eh. It’s a little grille, but it’s aggressive.

It was a fun car to throw around the city. Steering and handling are responsive, accelerates with pep. I had the manual transmission though, which any subcompact performs best with.

Competition: Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, Chevy Spark, Nissan Versa Note, Toyota Yaris

Here’s where the Fit outshines them: the rear seat.

See how flat the floor is, and how the seat folds right up 60/40?

That’s Honda’s exclusive “Magic Seat”. Creates a massive empty space; the total cargo area rivals that of some small crossovers.

It’s an ergonomic, functional interior; nice big buttons and knobs, a double glovebox.

Interesting, this 2014 model year Fit is built completely in China, a rarity. I’m not convinced you’d notice, if you didn’t know. As for how it holds up though, time. The 2015 Fit will be built in Mexico.