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Of course, all these modifications aren’t fully utilized without the proper engine management tuning. Using Hondata’s K-Pro system, Jei at Blacktrax was able to squeeze a broader power and torque band from Irene.
Inside the car, the data is logged and displayed through an AIM MXL2 unit, which has many different options for a display customized to the needs or preferences of any driver. The MXL2 is incredibly powerful for datalogging and will be used extensively in order to improve both Irene and Tom together.
AIM MXL2 dash display and datalogger.Last, but certainly not least are the safety pieces. In motorsport, safety should be the top concern of any driver. Irene sports a Racetech RT4009HR seat, which offers 270 degrees of head restraint and is one of the most popular racing seats for several types of racing. SafeCraft USA 6-point harnesses keep the driver tight in the seat.
Racetech RT4009HR seat with head restraint and Safecraft harnesses.SafeCraft also makes the car’s fire suppression system. The fire suppression system extinguishes fires through two separate lines: one in the cabin, mounted under the steering wheel pointed at the driver, and another under the hood. The system is activated in two ways, by the push of a button inside the car, or automatically via a thermal trigger, in case the driver is incapacitated after an accident.
The fire suppression system is manually activated by a button in the round, red cylinder. The button is heavy and recessed within the cylinder to prevent accidental activation. You can also see the nozzle where the extinguisher material comes out under the dash, aimed at the driver.
Under the hood, the fire suppression comes out of the red nozzle.
There isn't much to show for it all, but this photo includes the Accusump tank (blue), Safecraft Fire Suppression tank (white), and the external reservoirs for the rear JRZ dampers (red). With all this equipment, and the car tuned, driver Tom Tang has put Irene through two club races with NCRC, the Northern California Racing Club. In both, Tom was able to win the GT1 class against competition that included Porsches, Corvettes, and Camaros.
We can’t wait to see how the rest of the season will unfold as Tom works closely with former Honda Challenge legends, Graham Downey and Brandon Kraus, to further develop his own driving abilities and Irene’s performance as one hell of a race car.
