Once again BFGoodrich features another hot ride from Team Hybrid!
Richard’s 2017 Honda Civic Type R
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Editor’s note:ÂÂ The latest generation Civic Type R is distinctive looking, to say the least. But with its combination of futuristic looks and outsized performance, there’s a chance this car will be every bit as iconic as past Type Rs. Richard Carcabuso of Team Hybrid’s San Diego Chapter talks to us about his own eye-catching yellow CTR.
I have been a car enthusiast for over 26 years. In high school, I worked on cars, did motor swaps on my own 1992 Toyota MR2 Turbo, and spent many weeks modifying and driving imports.
It has been a dream of mine to own a Type R ever since I first saw one in 2000. I wasn’t able to purchase one then, and bought a 2000 Toyota Celica instead. However, four weeks before the release of the FK8 Civic Type R, I contacted a dealer. He said that if I wanted to be able to purchase the car, I needed to be there as soon as the CTR was delivered off the trailer. Once they called me to notify me of its arrival, I was there in four minutes, ready to purchase the car without even test driving it.
Because of its rarity, low production number plates are sought after, and my car is number 339. I also wanted to preserve as much of its unique character as possible, and I chose to modify items that would keep its driving characteristics while giving it some of my own personal style.
I have HRE FF15 wheels with BFGoodrich® g-Force COMP-2 A/S tires, a Mishimoto intake and oil catchcan, and a Greddy SP exhaust. I also had the car wrapped in satin yellow to pay homage to the Type R legacy.
I still want to get the ECU re-flashed by Hondata and install a thermal-wrapped USR downpipe, frontpipe, and turbo blanket. I am also looking for Mishimoto to complete their intercooler and a Greddy oil cooler. I don’t think I will ever be done with this car as new products come to market.
It’s amazing to see how many people are shocked and amazed at the CTR’s design and my choice of color. Many people don’t know that it is wrapped and believe it to be a stock color. After that they notice the rims and exhaust.
As for me, I love the power of this new 2.0 L turbo motor, and I love the balance and precision that Honda has designed into this track monster! The design is aggressive yet balanced in its look. My goal is to keep it looking iconic and timeless, and to continue improving on its ability to be tracked and daily driven.
Thanks to our founder and president James Lin; Team Hybrid management, especially San Diego Chapter Director Scott Dean for all the positive encouragement; the Hybrid Family especially San Diego Chapter Hybridz for being such a positive influence on the import tuner community; the beautiful Hybrid Hunnyz; and plenty of Hybrid Luv to our team title sponsors: BFGoodrich, Meguiar’s, AEM Intakes, AMSOIL, Whiteline, Password:JDM, NRG Innovations, Mishimoto, and Optima Batteries. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with a team.
See more of Richard’s CTR on Instagram at @slicksta637. Photography courtesy of Efrain Garay.
Check out the article on BFGoodrich Garage here.