We built a Honda S2000 Cup Car!
When it comes to accessible motorsport platforms, few cars capture the hearts and imaginations of enthusiasts quite like the Honda S2000. With its naturally aspirated 2-litre engine and rear wheel drive layout the S2000 is a platform that hasn’t had the attention it deserves when it comes to club racing. But now for 2026, the Racing Hondas Championship are launching something special, the S2000 Cup. A new, fully regulated spec-racing class designed to level the playing field and bring the purest form of driver-focused competition to UK motorsport.
Here at Tegiwa, we have just finished building our very own S2000 Cup Car and we’re excited to share what goes into it. Here’s everything you need to know about this brand new racing initiative.
What is the S2000 Cup Package?
The S2000 Cup package represents an exciting new chapter in the Racing Hondas Championship story. As a Grade C national one-make championship for Honda vehicles, Racing Hondas has always stood for fair and competitive motorsport. The S2000 Cup takes this philosophy to the next level.
This controlled parts approach means that every car on the grid is build to exactly the same specification. This isn’t about cutting corners on safety or quality, it’s about removing the variable of unlimited budgets and supplier choice which allows the competition to focus entirely on driver skill, setup knowledge and pure race craft.
Every component from suspension to aerodynamics to the roll cage has been hand picked by Racing Hondas and ourselves to create a platform that’s competitive, reliable and accessible.
Suspension
Every S2000 Cup Car is fitted with YSR Premium Competition Coilovers, designed specifically for competition use. These are fully adjustable coilovers that provide the perfect balance of grip and control, and have been used for years in other Championships like the Type R Trophy and Civic Cup.
As well as the coilovers, a comprehensive package from Hardrace also features, including:
- Adjustable front track rod ends with pillowball joints
- Front anti-bump steer kit
- Adjustable rear upper arms with spherical bearings
- Adjustable rear toe control arms
- Front roll centre adjusters
Engine & Exhaust
The engine remains stock but with some simple bolt-on additions including a Tegiwa Air Intake. The Tegiwa Decat Pipe removes the restrictive catalytic converter, which helps to free up power and improve throttle response. The cat-back is then replaced with a HKS Hi Power Single Exit Exhaust which adds the perfect exhaust note.
A Tegiwa Aluminium Radiator also features which helps to keep temperatures in check when things start getting hot. Remember that some S2000’s are now getting on for nearly 30 years so you’d do well to replace this unit anyway if it hasn’t been already.
Braking
Stopping is just as important as going fast, and the S2000 Cup package doesn’t compromise here. The standard S2000 brake calipers are more than capable of handling the power on offer, after all, we haven’t added loads of extra power to the engine, so the factory brake calipers are perfectly adequate for the task. To extract maximum stopping performance, the package includes a set of Probite PRO discs and pads that give that extra bite when you need it most. Combined with HEL Braided Brake Lines that replace the standard rubber items, these upgrades eliminate brake fluid expansion under extreme track heat and provide the consistent pedal feel that’s essential for consistent lap times. Every braking event becomes predictable and repeatable, small changes that make a massive difference over a race weekend.
Wheels & Tyres
The mandatory wheel for the S2000 Cup are Motegi Racing MR162 Zentoku Wheels in 17×8.5 ET45. There’s no staggered fitment here, just the same spec on each axle, meaning you can rotate tyres to get the most use out of them. The control tyre for the Racing Hondas Championship is the legendary Yokohama Advan A052. These are 245/45/17 and provide grip in both wet and dry conditions.
Speaking of Yokohama, that brings us on nicely to the livery. We wanted to keep things JDM so we opted for a Yokohama Advan inspired livery. Seeing as the car was already finished in red, this kept things relatively simple and I’m sure we can all agree that it looks great. The Advan tyre writing is a great touch too. This is something that you can recreate yourself with our very own Yokohama Advan Tyre Stencil which has been designed right here at Tegiwa.
Interior & Safety
Being a race car, it’s not about creature comforts, it’s about making the car safe. The SW Motorsports Weld-In Roll Cage has been specifically engineered for the car and meets MSUK safety regulations. With the addition of the roll cage, the soft top can now be discarded in a bid to save weight. After all, the rain can’t get you when you’re driving so fast!
We have opted for an OMP RS-PT Bucket Seat with RRS FIA R6 Light Evo Harnesses to keep the driver secured. This is a great setup at a very affordable price point too. To achieve the optimal seating position we installed a SW Motorsport Super Low Bucket Seat Base. Other additions include a SW Motorsport Boot & Fuel Release Bracket, SW Motorsport Foot Rest, SW Motorsport Kill Switch Pull Cable Bracket and a SW Motorsport Radiator Cooling Panel.
A Tegiwa 150A Battery Isolator Kit has been installed to provide a kill switch for the lightweight Odyssey PC680 battery. This is a game changer when it comes to kill switches as the traditional pull cords can often seize, causing an unnecessary headache when it comes to a race weekend and scrutineering.
Aerodynamics
The Tegiwa Front Splitter and Air Dam Kit not only makes the front end look way more aggressive but also helps to create stable front-end grip as speeds increase. It’s a part that is engineered to manage airflow without creating drag.
At the rear you’ll find a 1,580mm Tegiwa Wing which generates additional downforce. This completely changes the aesthetic from standard S2000 to an out and out race car which belongs on the track.
What’s next?
With the first round of the Racing Hondas Championship at Silverstone taking place on 5th April, we are keen to get out in it so we’re about to go give the car its first shakedown before we book a dedicated test day to dial in the setup. In the meantime, make sure you check out the full video feature on the car over on our YouTube channel.
Ready to build your own S2000 Cup Car? Head over to Tegiwa.com to order the complete controlled parts build list. For more information about the S2000 Cup and Racing Hondas Championship, visit https://www.racinghondas.uk/
