AUTOFORUM

Turbo Direct SA promotes new USA operation with famous NHRA Honda Civic

Aug 31, 2026 Turbo Direct SA, Chris Kambouris, NHRA Honda Civic, 2026 PRI Show, TurboDirect USA

Turbo Direct SA promotes new USA operation with famous NHRA Honda Civic

Turbo Direct SA purchases the famous American NHRA Honda Civic the record breaking drag-racing car, which ran a world record breaking 6.52 sec quarter mile at 211 mph over 20 years ago. The car will be used to promote Turbo Direct SA’s new USA operation starting with the 2026 PRI Show in Indianapolis in December 10-12th 2026. Chris Kambouris Founder and MD of Turbo Direct SA bought it as a display unit to promote his USA operation and will still decide if he will race the car in the USA and/or bring it to South African shores to an exhibition run.

“This iconic record-setting AEM Electronics NHRA Pro Stock/RWD Honda Civic drag car—originally built by Don Ness Racecraft together with Cosworth and driven by Stephan Papadakis made history as the first-ever Honda to break into the 6-second quarter-mile zone, running a legendary 6.525 seconds at 211 mph,” said Chris Kambouris founder and CEO of largest Turbocharger business in Africa - Turbo Direct SA. “Its first showing in our new branding will be on our stand at the 2026 PRI Show that takes place from December 10-12th, in Indianapolis. It is the world's leading automotive exhibition, bringing over 50 000 feet through the doors, and 1000’s of exhibiting brands, major OEMs, and global industry, its core focus is automotive aftermarket innovations, new product launches, and cutting-edge tech, looking forward we may be bringing it to South Africa sometime soon said Kambouris.

Honda Civic NHRA Sport Compact PRO/RWD Drag Car Project is a spec pro stock chassis built by Don Ness Racecraft for AEM Electronics and was campaigned in the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series beginning in 2003. It is Powered by a twin-turbocharged, Acura NSX C30A DOHC V6, the car became the first 6-second Honda and achieved a quarter-mile time of 6.525 at 211 mph at the hands of driver Stephan Papadakis.

After the series was discontinued at the end of 2007, the car was purchased by an owner in Mexico and later seized by the Las Vegas Metro Police Department under US criminal forfeiture laws. After spending approximately five years in an evidence vault while the case made its way through the legal system, it was sold at auction in 2015 to the seller, who planned to modify it for use in NHRA Competition Eliminator CC/AT class. Chassis upgrades were conducted at Jerry Bickel Race Cars in Missouri, and mirrored turbo-chargers were installed along with a billet water-to-air intercooler.

Features include carbon-fiber body, a Don Ness titanium rear end, Mark Willliams full-floating axles, Lamb coil overs and carbon-carbon disc brakes, and a fire-suppression system. The car will need further preparation before returning to competition use. The seller states the engine has been started in its current configuration. This AEM PRO/RWD Honda Civic was offered in Florida on a bill of sale with historical documentation and a collection of spare parts. Chris Kambouris of Turbo Direct SA bought it as a display unit to promote his USA operation.

The NHRA Xplod Sport Compact series was launched in 2001 with three major categories, PRO/RWD, PRO/FWD and MOD. After winning the 2001 NHRA Pro FWD championship, Stephan Papadakis became the driver for this PRO/RWD car, which was sponsored by AEM Electronics, a leading international brand that is held by Turbo Direct SA. It was built at Don Ness Racecraft in Minnesota. The car debuted at SEMA in 2002 and became the first 6-second Honda the following year. In January 2005, Papadakis achieved a result of 6.525 at 211 mph during testing at The Strip Dragway in Las Vegas, which remains a record for a six-cylinder-powered Honda to this day.

In 2018, the chassis was upgraded to comply with NHRA rules for a 6.0 cert at Jerry Bickel Race Cars in Missouri. Again, the chassis was re-certified 6.0 in July 2026 and is legal to race in this class internationally. The pedals were also shifted forward within an enclosed cage to provide additional legroom. The carbon-fiber body wears its Viper red and blue livery from the 2007 season, and details include a removable front clamshell and doors as well as side exhaust outlets, a rear spoiler, and dual parachutes. The seller states the car weighs 996 pounds as a bare chassis and body, and 1,501 pounds with the engine and electronics installed.

The Honda C30A DOHC V6 was built under prior ownership with displacement estimated at 3.5 liters. Mirror image 7675 turbochargers were added under current ownership along with an aluminum intake manifold, modified to accommodate a Pro-Jay 105mm billet throttle body. A billet water-to-air intercooler has an integrated coolant reservoir, and a 2k-gpm marine bilge pump handles circulation. The fuel cell was rebuilt, and dual puke tanks were also installed. Air inlets were added to the front clip and aligned up with the inlet pipe that goes directly into the individual turbos. The front suspension has Lamb coil-over struts with titanium bodies and springs, while the rear setup has adjust-able coil-overs with a Koni controller. Low-drag wheel bearings have been installed, and braking is managed by Lamb carbon-carbon discs.

Motegi engraved fifteen-inch American Racing frontrunners are paired with multi-piece sixteen-inch American Racing Pro Series Track Star rear units with Motegi engraved double beadlocks. The driver’s compartment is protected by a funny car cage with door bars and head protection, and the carbon-fiber racing seat has a Deist Safety harness. Toggle-switch controls are in an overhead console, and a fire-suppression system and a Racepack V300 data logger are also included.

The Grant steering wheel is mounted to a quick-release hub, and the instrument binnacle incorporates a shift light, an AEM air/fuel ratio meter, and AutoMeter gauges for oil pressure, brake pressure, coolant temperature, and blower pressure. Don Ness Racecraft supplied the titanium rear end housing, and it has been fitted with a nine-inch third member with 4.72:1 gearing and Mark Willliams full-floating drive axles. The car is not currently equipped with a transmission, driveshaft, or radiator. A mid-plate for a top-hat-style bell housing has been installed, and the transmission sliders are configured for a Lenco CS-3 manual transmission. Two unassembled engines and a Liberty’s Gears five-speed manual transmission and titanium wheelie bars will accompany the car along with adapter plates, driveshafts, and other components. The vehicle is not legal for road use and carries no title or registration.

Further upgrades planned for the car before PRI show include replacement of the turbochargers with TurboDirect S.A’s latest models release which will be launched at PRI later this year. Replacement injectors, fuel system components, fuel lines, all electronics (ECU, sensors, data-logging etc) transmission sliders, titanium bell housing, carbon fiber prop shaft, minor livery updates displaying the TurboDirect USA ownership together with the new turbocharger brand coming up at PRI.

Look out for this major event coming in December 2026 in Indianapolis – PRI show.

For more information call 011 392 5195 or e-mail them on info@turbodirect.co.za Or go to the web site www.turbodirect.co.za Trade enquiries welcomed.