Sunnyside Honda Performance Driving Team
The Sunnyside Honda Performance Driving Team is owned and operated by Mike Carter and sponsored by Sunnyside Honda. The team makes use of a 2008 Honda S2000 CR (Club Racer) and a 2008 Honda Ridgeline as the official track support vehicle. Mike started participating in Autocross events in 1995 and High Performance Driving Events / Open Track Lapping Day Sessions in 1998.
The S2000 CR and Ridgeline are mechanically maintained by Sunnyside Honda.
Jon Sabo with Bullitt Proof Performance handles track day preparations and post event detailing. Jason Sharp works the track events as the team?s primary crew member. He logs data while the car is on track, when the car comes in between sessions, and inspects/prepares the S2000 for the next session allowing Mike to focus on the driving aspect. Jason also participates at times with his own Sunnyside Honda S2000 CR.
The Car - 2008 S2000 Club Racer
Quoted from Mike:
"I began participating in these events using Mazda RX7s. I made the move to BMWs in 2000 with a BMW 3 Series and eventually in 2001 to a BMW M Coupe. I was ready to do change it up a bit in 2007 and decided to go with the newly released S2000 CR. I purchased the car new from Sunnyside in November of 2007 allowing it to only sit on the showroom floor for 2 days."
"My first time out with the S2000 CR, I decided to take it to the track literally as it came off the showroom floor, completely stock. I was amazed at how well the car performed from the factory. During my first event at Putnam Park Raceway I was already turning faster lap times in the stock S2000 CR than my modified BMW M Coupe. The car is a joy to drive, very predictable, and has a lot of mechanical grip through the turns.
Since then, the only updates I've done with the car is change out the factory brake fluid with proper DOT 4 fluid for track temperatures and run a more aggressive brake pad, though I still use the OEM rotors.
The car really needs nothing else to be competitive. Its flexible enough to drive on the street, be competitive at Autocross events, and run long sessions on the road course."
The Support Truck - 2008 Ridgeline
Quoted from Mike:
"Originally I used a Chevrolet Silverado as my Track Support Vehicle, but it was totaled while parked on the street shortly after purchasing the S2000 CR. Being very satisfied with Sunnyside Honda's first class salesmanship, I went back for advice on a replacement Track Support Vehicle. Listening to all my requirements, the sales staff at Sunnyside Honda recommended I consider the Honda Ridgeline. Honestly I had not given any thought to the Ridgeline, but after test driving and researching the truck I decided to give it a try and purchased the truck 1 month after the S2000."
"The Honda Ridgeline is the perfect truck to play the role as a Track Support Vehicle. It easily tows the S2000 CR on a full size car trailer anywhere I want to go. The in-bed trunk, unique to the Ridgeline, is a great place to transport fluids such as oil, coolant, and brake fluid. The bed of the truck has plenty of space. I load it up with extra wheels and tires. The rear cab is plenty big to store all the tools and garage equipment I need while at the track."
"The icing on the cake is with the S2000 CR in tow and the truck fully loaded the Ridgeline is still a very comfortable vehicle to ride in. The in-bed trunk doubles as a giant ice cooler with a built in drain. I typically fill it up with ice and bottled water and share with the other participants."
"The Honda Ridgeline is much more civilized and definitely more versatile than any previous trucks I have owned."
Final Thoughts
Quoted from Mike:
"Overall I could not be happier with my current setup [Ridgeline and S2000 CR]. Working with Sunnyside Honda has been an absolute pleasure. I had a great experience working with their sales staff. The service advisors are always a pleasure to interact with and are informative. The waiting facility Sunnyside Honda has setup for their customers being serviced is absolutely first class."
"With such a great dealership to work with I plan on making use of this Honda Ridgeline / S2000 CR combo for quite some time."
