SP Rides: A Green Machine with Growl
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Remy Fukumoto
Age: 28
Occupation: Designer Engineer
Hobbies: SCCA Autocross, cats, collecting useless miniature things
Year/Make/Model: 1997 Honda Civic Coupe
Color: Custom Green
Engine: B18C, GSR Transmission, polished Hasport engine mounts, Skunk2 Tuner2 cams, Skunk2 springs and retainers, TWM individual throttle bodies, Hondata coil pack retrofit conversion, billet distributor delete, S300 Hondata, RyWire custom engine harness, braided clutch line, upgraded clutch and lightened flywheel, 310 billet hood hinges
Exterior: 2000 Civic Si front and rear end conversions, CTR headlights, First Molding carbon Kevlar front lip, SiR thin side moldings, Apex’i Dunk exhaust, LED taillight conversion, SIN roof vinyl graphic
Interior: Momo leather steering wheel, NRG quick release, Buddy Club P-1 racing seat, Takata Racing 4-point racing harness, 2000 Civic SiR gauge cluster
Suspension: Tein Super Street coilovers, Tein pillow ball top hats, Tein EDFC, Civic Si front and rear sway bars, billet rear control arms, billet tie bar
Wheels/Brakes/Tires: Volk Racing TE37 SL Takata Green, 15×8 +20 offset, Volk Racing Formula Lug Nuts, Spoon 4Pot Calipers, Bridgestone RE-11a, 195/50/15
Shout Outs: Aaron, Gil, Roy, Cody, Hondata, RyWire, Mkshift LLC., Abanes Garage, Aloha Signs & Graphics, HMotors, Function Clothing Co.
Remy Fukumoto is what I would call a hardcore car enthusiast. First of all, she’s an avid SCCA autocrosser who competes regularly with other slalom fans. Second, she’s been getting her hands greasy with Hondas ever since her brother, Aaron, nabbed a Honda Civic (the first of many) for her.
In fact, she blames her obsession with the auto world on her sibling, who introduced her to the modified lifestyle and has continually fed her addiction over the years. Aaron is the type of guy who doesn’t leave anything stock — even the family grocery-getter gets the goodies. Truth be told, he is eight years older than Fukumoto, a fact that she pointed out rather poignantly. With such an age difference, racing is what brought them closer together. Joining up with Team Ultraspeed, Fukumoto was “adopted” and learned to respect the art of a build, and see it as more than just a mode of transportation.
“He convinced me to try out autocross racing and after that, my goal was set — to build a car that would get me through slaloms, c-boxes, and hair-pin turns the fastest!” said Fukumoto.
Together, they have forged this 1997 Honda Civic into a true track star. Known as the Green Machine among her friends, the Civic is built for competitive autocross racing. In fact, this automobile started out as a well-worn track day companion for Fukumoto. Back then, the paint wasn’t in the best of shape, but with the emphasis on function over form, it wasn’t much of a concern. But Aaron had always insisted that this car needed a paint job, and so with the help of a friend, that requirement eventually came true.
Thanks to the sumptuous custom green paint, the car has really come together. It was good enough to even make the show rounds, winning several trophies at Spocom, Wekfest and Arts in Motion. The exterior features 2000 Civic Si front and rear conversions, CTR headlights and a First Molding carbon Kevlar front lip. SiR thin side moldings, an LED taillight conversion as well as an APEX’I Dunk exhaust round out the mods. Of special note is the SIN vinyl roof graphic that screams “itasha” in bold and bright colors. The interior had also been modified for race duties with the Momo leather steering wheel, NRG quick release hub, Buddy Club P-1 racing seat and the 4-point racing harness by Takata.
This track star has both the power and the chassis modifications to really make an impression. The B18C engine has been thoroughly massaged for N/A power, while the TWM individual throttle bodies really give this green machine some growl as well. Keeping this power to the ground is a tuned suspension with Tein Super Street coilovers and EDFC as the highlights. Takata Green Volk Racing TE37s make a definitive statement as do the very sexy Spoon 4-pot brake calipers.
Through every step of the way, Fukumoto has been the star of this ride. It’s female owned, built, driven and, most importantly, raced. What better way to make her brother proud?
