Project Civic Si: Tom O’Gorman Explains Why It Works So Well on Trac

Our 2019 Civic Si has been just a joy on track, allowing us to easily, confidently click off lap after lap. It offers a stable, comfortable platform. No stress, no worry.

What’s latest Civic’s the secret? We asked Tom O’Gorman his take on the car, as this Honda pro driver just ran a Civic to fourth in IMSA TCR points. He also participated in the introduction for the 2020 Civic Si street car.

The current Civic works so well, he says, due to its bones. “First, you have the chassis,” he says. “In my opinion, the best front-wheel-drive chassis I’ve ever driven, with the mechanical grip and sharpness–especially at turn-in–reminiscent of the Honda S2000.”

Then there’s the relatively long, 107-inch wheelbase. “That makes the rotation necessary to go fast in a front-wheel-drive car very progressive and predictable, giving the driver a great amount of confidence.
“This combo of high mechanical grip and long wheelbase means you can really get the nose rotated toward the exit of a corner at turn-in without any fear of that dreaded front-drive understeer coming in later down the corner.”

Comments

APEowner GRM+ Memberand Dork
12/12/19 9:13 a.m.

As a long time hater of front wheel drive cars (my first exposure was a K car). I was shocked with how well the Civic Si drives on track. It's not just good for a front wheel drive car, it's just plain good.

I drove a students one day while demonstrating the smoothness he was struggling to achieve and as I ended my demonstration lap I was able to say "...and, if you do all of that on a tight technical track like this you can run down a Mustang GT with a Civic" as we caught up with someone struggling to get their Mustang to change direction for Sandia's decreasing radius, off camber exit turns 3 and 4.

Brake_L8 Reader
12/12/19 10:33 a.m.

I'd be curious to hear Tom's thoughts on this against the Veloster N.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
12/12/19 11:14 a.m.

In reply to Brake_L8 :

Let me ping him.

Harvey GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
12/12/19 11:17 a.m.

Does all of this get even better with the Type R?

_ Dork
12/12/19 11:45 a.m.

In reply to Harvey :

You lose the front end grip lol.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
12/12/19 1:34 p.m.

The Type R gives you more--power power, more brakes--but the Si costs a lot less and still comes with a limited-slip diff.

Spoolpigeon PowerDork
12/12/19 1:48 p.m.

That's pretty much the opposite of how Tom-O described Cold Lotion.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
12/12/19 4:56 p.m.

Brake_L8 said:
I'd be curious to hear Tom's thoughts on this against the Veloster N.

2016 Ram 1500 Sport | 1997 BMW M3 #404 GTS2 | OutMotorsports.com

Tom's reply: Haven't driven one.

Brake_L8 Reader
12/13/19 2:13 p.m.

David S. Wallens said:
Brake_L8 said:
I'd be curious to hear Tom's thoughts on this against the Veloster N.

2016 Ram 1500 Sport | 1997 BMW M3 #404 GTS2 | OutMotorsports.com

Tom's reply: Haven't driven one.

He should. They're excellent with the $2k performance pack... LSD, adaptive suspension, active exhaust, big brakes, etc. Wonder how we can get him in one for a comparo :-P