Throwing a Fit
Jacob Abbott and Abbott Auto Performance
I'd always wondered why I saw so many Honda Fits on track ripping around at Lime Rock when Gridlife visited. They were not slow; quite the contrary, often lifting a rear leg over the rumblestrips on the inside of tight corners. The second time Gridlife came back to Lime Rock, there were even more. My fascination and curiosity grew with the field size.
The car was designed around a low center of gravity with rigidity built into the framework; it's not hard to see how this inexpensive, lightweight, FWD platform could potentially excel. It even had me looking at some elder used models..."just to see"... you know? If my wife asks, I uttered no such thing.
We reached out to Jacob Abbott of Abbot Auto Performance, who competes for podiums every outing belted into the platform in question: the Fit. We had grand plans to rope him into the night shoot we were planning with some other racers, but his services were much better utilized helping Peter Granberg raise his car from the dead. He was one of the shadowy figures gathered around Peters car with the Abbott Auto crew in the low light, working deep into the night.
Even though the night shoot never materialized, both cars were ripping around the track the next day as the stopwatches turned. And as much fun as we had watching the racing, I can only imagine the euphoria taking place behind the wheel, blasting under the bridge and feeling the stomach float as the car dives into the final downhill right hander, being thrown into the left side of the car as the tires flirt with the rumble strips, catapulted wide open onto the front straight. Jacob not only delivered thrills for the fans, he had the car delivering top tier lap times.
Thanks again for chatting with us, and congratulations on your success! What are your thoughts on Lime Rock Park, and the Gridlife Circuit Legends festival overall?
It's one of the best motorsports events you can attend in the country. The scenery is breathtaking and the track is a bucket list historical American track. On top of that, you are getting to race with the best grassroots racing circuit in the world. Gridlife never disappoints when it comes to action packed weekends and tight competitions. What other racing series in history has had Wheel to Wheel, Time Attack, Drift, showcase events, food vendors, and massive after parties with arcade tents and Karaoke! Simply put, there's nothing like a Gridlife Festival.
Wholly agree! Speaking of the racing itself, you've made some serious in-roads in the Sundae Cup, what would you say your success has hinged on?
All success in driving comes down to seat time and dedication to the sport, but above all else, my team has been the biggest factor in helping me achieve what we have done this year. We started off last year with an externally low budget car to prove how cheap you could go out and have a good time racing with Gridlife and we came out with a 2nd place Championship trophy. This year we came out swinging with a much better put together car and we have been showing up big time.
What are your favorite things about the Fit platform?
Honda Fits are hands down the best bang for your buck track car out there. They cost a fraction of the cost of other cars but allow you to still have loads of fun in a very competitive environment such as Sundae Cup. They are one of the most reliable platforms to put on track so the cost of maintenance is very low. The formula to having a competitive car in Sundae Cup is to get a Fit, buy coilovers, brake pads, and a set of 15x8 wheels with some fresh tires and get out on track. Oftentimes in racing the tow rig and trailer can cost as much if not more than the race car. That’s what really separates the Honda Fit as the best option for Sundae cup. You can easily pack them full of gear, drive halfway across the country and get out there and do some racing. Then when you're done you pack it all back in and drive it home.
How difficult is it to stay under budget? What are some of those challenges you're consistently faced with?
It's extremely easy to stay within budget when racing a Fit. Our car has a set of used Feal 441 coilovers ($500) with a Progress swaybar ($200), Hawk brake pads ($120) and a couple sets of wheels ($1400). The most expensive part of racing a Sundae Cup car will be the tires. Although they are much cheaper than many other cars with much larger sizes it still adds up after having to purchase a new set for every event (which is necessary to truly get everything out of the car). Racing is never going to be a cheap sport to be a part of, but driving a Fit in Sundae Cup is probably the lowest budget thing you can do to be able to get out there and put down some laps.
That's incredible; really amazing that such an inexpensive setup can get you to such a competitive level. Obviously getting the most out of it is up to the driver, and along those lines; Do you consider racing art?
Art is an expression of oneself into a raw element of creation. There's no true boundaries to it. It's purely a connection between the artist and his art. I would say that in the community, car builds are often that extension of one's self. Racing is skill based and your success will vary based on how dedicated you are to the sport and how disciplined you become. One could see the dedication it takes to be a successful driver as an art in itself.
Great answer, absolutely. What's the biggest thing you personally get out of driving?
The connection between car and driver. You must be in constant balance with the vehicle to find that perfect lap. Measuring the grip and the controlling power output to let the car flow through the corners. It is truly unlike anything else. The feeling from the adrenaline rush after taking a corner faster than you thought possible or pushing past your mental limits in a braking zone. It is what makes this sport so great. Every corner is another chance for you to improve on your personal best or to lose it all trying. It all hangs in the balance.
Well said. We sincerely appreciate your time, dude! Last thing; what's one thing you want the good people to know?
All birds have feet.
You heard it here first, folks. Consider this the next time you see a bird. Or, you know, a family of four on a grocery run in the family Fit.
- Nicholas Pascarella // @nicksglasseye
Photos: James Woodard // Nicholas Pascarella
