A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about my visit to A & J Racing while in Richmond B.C. There was just too much to cram into one article, so I broke it up. If you missed the first article you can read it here, http://www.dodologic.com/?p=3289. Now that we have covered the history of this well known West Coast shop, we can discuss the present and the future.
Like I mentioned in my last article, A& J Racing is always moving forward, that is perhaps their reason for picking up the CRZ. While others complain about the lack of factory power, Jason and the crew are thinking up ways to make it better. The obvious likeness of the CRZ to the CRX has spawned a great deal of excitement at A & J.
To Jason it all seems so obvious, “Honda has taken a step back, used new technology and they are starting from a new age. The CRZ sort of reflects the CRX, it has similar horsepower but it is Hybrid instead of Vtec. The way I see it is in a couple of years from now you are going to get higher powered hybrid cars. It is just going to be a matter of time before people start tuning the hybrids. It seems to be almost a given that the Japanese companies will continue to develop Hybrid sports cars. “
When I spoke with Jason, the CRZ was running fully adjustable T1R coilovers, spoon turbulator and spoon wheels wrapped in bridgestone RE11. It may lack some power but has great handling. Right now it would seem that stock for stock it out performs the fit.
A & J has put a lot of faith in the CRZ and have even started stocking parts for it. Even with the limited amount of CRZ’s in the Vancouver area many owners are already looking to modify their ride.
However, just because they are experimenting with a Hybrid doesn’t mean they have turned there back on present day tuners. Just by looking at the walls of their shop, you can tell that A & J Racing intends to “dance with who brought them.” By that I mean, I don’t think you will see them leave conventional tuners in the dust. Instead, I think they are helping bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary.
It is impossible to know what the future holds, but I think it is safe to say that no matter which way the automotive enthusiast market goes, A & J Racing will be there along side them.