Technically speaking, the Honda Civic Type R is not the quickest front-wheel-drive car around the Nürburgring, as the Volkswagen Golf Clubsport S lapped the circuit 1.4 seconds more quickly recently. But while one could argue that the VW isn’t a proper series-production car?just 400 units are planned and it has its rear seats removed?Honda let the Germans have this one for now, saying they might head back to the Green Hell later to regain the crown. In the meantime, they got busy setting the front-drive lap record at a bunch of other iconic European racetracks.

Silverstone
Since this tire slaying was Honda U.K.’s idea, the campaign started at Silverstone in early April. Of course, being Britain, it was raining. Three-time British Touring Car Champion and generally crazy-fast guy Matt Neal did a 2:44.45, before following up a month later in the dry and turning a 2:31.85. Time for a pint!
Spa
Less than two weeks after Silverstone, Honda went to Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. The clouds stayed away, and Honda Racing driver Rob Huff tripped the timing equipment at 2:56.91.

Monza
At the end of May, Honda’s Hungarian World Touring Car Championship star Norbert Mihelisz drove the car at Monza, piloting a stock Type R around in 2:15.16. Szép munka, as they say 500 miles to the east.

Estoril
After a crash during the WTCC Race of Germany put scheduled wheelman Tiago Monteiro out of action (he’s since returned to duty), fellow Port...