Spoon Sports

Spoon Sports is a Japanese automotive tuning company specializing in high-performance parts and race preparation for Honda vehicles, notably the Civic and Integra. Founded in 1988 by Tatsuru Ichishima, the company gained renown through competitive appearances in events such as the Fuji Speedway races and collaborations with teams in the Super GT and All-Japan Touring Car Championship. Spoon Sports blends aftermarket manufacturing, engine development, and motorsport operations to influence both street and circuit applications.

History

Spoon Sports was established in 1988 by Tatsuru Ichishima after involvement with Honda dealership networks and tuning culture associated with venues like Suzuka Circuit, Fuji Speedway, and the grassroots scene around Tsukuba Circuit. Early projects modified platforms including the Honda Civic EF, Honda CR-X, and Honda Beat to compete in national series such as the Japanese Touring Car Championship and endurance events at Fuji 500 km. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s Spoon's profile rose alongside developments at manufacturers and series like Mugen Motorsports, TOM'S, and KeePer TOM'S, while relationships with suppliers and homologation efforts mirrored practices seen at Nismo and TRD. Expansion in the 2010s included refined in-house engine builds and customer racing programs connected to circuits like Okayama International Circuit and Autopolis.

Products and Services

Spoon produces performance components ranging from cylinder heads and camshafts to suspension and braking systems for models such as the Honda S2000, Honda NSX, and Honda Fit. Signature items include proprietary intake manifolds, ECU calibration packages inspired by techniques used by Sard (company) and HKS, and lightweight forged wheels comparable to products from Enkei and BBS Japan. In addition to parts, Spoon offers chassis setup, engine assembly, and dyno tuning services performed in workshops near Saitama Prefecture and tested at proving grounds including Fuji Speedway and Motegi (Twin Ring Motegi). The company also sells branded apparel and limited-run OEM+ accessories in collaboration with outlets such as Autobacs Seven.

Motorsports and Racing Involvement

Competition operations have been central to Spoon's identity, fielding cars in series like the Super GT GT300 class and historic entries in the All-Japan Touring Car Championship. Notable chassis campaigned include highly developed versions of the Honda Civic Type R and the Honda NSX-R, prepared to regulations similar to those enforced by the Japan Automobile Federation and technical scrutineering at circuits such as Fuji Speedway and Suzuka Circuit. Spoon has partnered with drivers who competed in international events including appearances at 24 Hours of Spa-style endurance meetings and regional specials featuring teams linked to Team Mugen and ARTA (Autobacs Racing Team Aguri). Their race-prepared cars emphasize reliability strategies and pit procedures comparable to operations at Team Kunimitsu and Nakajima Racing.

Technology and Engineering

Engineering efforts at Spoon emphasize cylinder head porting, combustion chamber optimization, valve timing refinement, and lightweight reciprocating components influenced by developments from IHI Corporation turbocharger applications and technologies similar to those from Kraftwerk. Spoon's engine programs often modify B-series (Honda) and K-series (Honda) platforms with bespoke camshafts, high-compression pistons, and intake/exhaust systems optimized on engine dynamometers akin to units used by Yokohama Research groups. Chassis work employs suspension geometry tuning with components like coilovers, sway bars, and bushings developed to match telemetry collected at Tsukuba Circuit and Motegi. Materials engineering draws on suppliers in the Japanese supply chain such as NKK Switches-era metallurgy firms and forging partners akin to Tanaka Seimitsu.

Notable Achievements and Records

Spoon-prepared cars have secured class wins and pole positions at national endurance events and produced benchmark lap times at circuits including record-setting runs on the Tsukuba Circuit time attack leaderboard and competitive times at Fuji Speedway. The company's street and race products have been featured in magazine tests by publications like Option (magazine), Carboy (magazine), and Old-timer (magazine), and exhibited at trade shows such as Tokyo Auto Salon and SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association). Spoon's engineering contributions influenced aftermarket standards for Honda tuning, earning recognition among peers such as Mugen Motorsports, HKS, and Greddy for consistent race-derived performance and durability.

Category:Automotive companies of Japan Category:Automotive tuning companies Category:Japanese motorsport