Video: Track-Spec S2000 Squares Off Against Supercharged Scion FR-S

Put two of the best modern Japanese FR track toys in the hands of two convivial Canadians with a penchant for oversteer on a challenging race course and you won’t be disappointed. Neither the Honda S2000 nor the Scion FR-S are powerhouses, but the platforms are among some of the most rewarding for casual track day events, autocross, and even club-level road racing.

The two cars share similar levels of modification, and the one control in this comparison is the tire. The Continental ExtremeContact Sport tire is a 340-treadwear, versatile summer tire that gives Pete and Dave the ability to push hard for several laps without fear of much dropoff. Considering way the relentless Toronto Motorsport Park (TMP) abuses tires, that’s something to consider. Both cars sport square setups with the same widths: 255-sections at all eight corners. That should simplify the comparison, but there are several other elements to consider.

Reasonably wide Continental ExtremeContact Sport tires on the front give these cars incisive turn-in.

The not-so-impressive FA20 motor sitting under the hood of the Scion has been upgraded with a Jackson Racing supercharger and a Tomei exhaust that brings power up to roughly 270 HP at the wheels. Unfortunately, the bulk of that power is only delivered at the top end of the rev range. As a result, the approximate 220-whp (wheel horsepower) S2000, admittedly sporting shorter gears, nearly keeps up in a straight-out drag race. However, there aren’t many long straights at TMP, so having a straightline advantage doesn’t mean the world, though usable torque and a broad powerband does.

Nor should it. These two are renowned for their remarkably accurate and informative steering and playful chassis. After all, they have to be fun without much horsepower. Therefore, the majority of the modification has been made to their suspension.

The Honda is modified with:

17×9-inch Gram Light57Xtreme wheels
Eibach Multi-Pro R2 coilovers
Eibach swaybars
Stoptech Sport Brakes (including rotors, pads, lines, and fluid)
Buddy Club USA hardened suspension bushings
APR Performance GTC-300 rear wing
CR front lip
C3 Composites custom front splitter

The Scion benefits from:

KW Suspension
Raceseng adjustable top hats
Adjustable rear lower control arms
Advan Racing GT wheels
AP Racing big brakes
Driveway Labs splitter and diffuser
Voltex Swan Neck wing

Pete (FR-S) running wide. His over-driving allows Dave (S2000) to close the gap in the infield section.

While the Scion has a definite advantage in the braking and acceleration departments, it needs to be going reasonably fast to exploit. TMP isn’t chock-full of heavy braking zones or long straights, however, so the answer isn’t clear from these two lead-follow laps. Watch the footage above for the difference in lap times, and witness two friends pushing one another past their limits in great style.