The Spoon EK9: Honda Engineering Perfected

On 5 and 6 September at Sydney Motorsport Park, one of the most iconic Hondas will be on display in the Yokohama Advan Display Zone: the legendary Spoon Sports EK9 Civic Type-R.

Built under the watchful eye of Tatsuru Ichishima, founder of Spoon Sports (who will also be attending WTAC), this EK9 represents the pinnacle of Honda’s NA performance philosophy. Starting life as a 1997 EK9, the first Civic to wear the Type R badge, the chassis received extensive modification, including full seam welding for increased torsional rigidity and improved feedback under high-speed load.

At the heart is the B16B engine, Honda’s bespoke, hand-assembled 1.6L VTEC unit that shares many traits with the NSX’s C30A. With a 10.8:1 compression ratio, balanced rotating assembly, and a redline of 8,400rpm, the B16B is a technical masterpiece, pushing over 185hp in stock form. Spoon’s version benefits from precise blueprinting, optimised valve timing, and refined throttle response; built not for brute power, but for balance, control, and response.

Underneath, a Spoon 1.5-way mechanical LSD, uprated final drive, and finely tuned suspension geometry to give this iconic EK9 near-telepathic handling. It’s perfectly suited to circuits like Tsukuba, or the high-speed corners of Sydney Motorsport Park.

Every detail, from the lightweight monoblock Spoon brake calipers to the aerodynamically functional mirrors and ducts, serves a purpose. Nothing is cosmetic and nothing is wasted.

The Spoon EK9 is more than a display car: it’s a rolling embodiment of Honda tuning at its most disciplined and technical.

Don’t miss the chance to see it — and meet Ichishima-san — at WTAC 2025. To be a part of the action, get your tickets at OUR WEBSITE [CLICK HERE] or tune into the Bosch Motorsport Australia WTAC Livestream.