Honda announced at SEMA that it plans to put its racetrack-oriented S2000 CR roadster to the ultimate test by competing in the grueling 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race on December 1-2, 2007. Contested over two days at the winding Thunderhill Park Raceway north of Sacramento, California, this is the final race of the 2007 National Auto Sport Association (NASA) racing season, and traditionally the most exciting, demanding and action-packed event of the year. (www.nasa25hour.com).

One of the two racing S2000 CRs to be campaigned by Team Honda Research was on display in Honda’s SEMA booth. While equipped to withstand the demands of more than a day of non-stop racing, this competition car differs minimally from its street-legal sibling. Already outfitted with a lighter, stiffer chassis and track-tuned suspension, the stock S2000 CR needs few modifications to prepare it for a twice-around-the-clock endurance race.

The addition of a full roll cage, fire suppression system and racing seat/seat belts keeps the drivers safe, while still retaining much of the street version’s original interior. Performance modifications have been similarly minor, with the installation of a racing-tuned exhaust and engine control unit (ECU). Chassis modifications consist of racing shock absorbers, brake pads, and soft-compound tires.

Both racecars were built at the Honda R&D Americas facility in Raymond, Ohio, by Honda engineers. In addition to developing and building the cars, employees also make up the majority of the driver lineup.

For this year’s race, however, the Honda engineer/drivers will also be joined by two representatives of the media, one from MSN Autos and the other from Car and Driver magazine. This will be the fourth year that Team Honda Research has competed in the 25-hour race, an event where it has secured class victories in each of its past three outings.