The interior is Spartan yet purposeful, containing only the bare necessities to keep things functional and light. No custom upholstery and head bangin' stereo here. The only dancing lights and video screens you'll see will be from the Auto Meter tach and the laptop used to program the engine computer. The floor of the car is bare carbon fiber and an undercarriage as flat as Elle McPherson's stomach was created (and it's probably almost as nice to the touch). The carbon-fiber Sparco seat holds Stephan snugly during the neck snapping acceleration runs. Most people are trying to do 0-60 in the time it takes Papadakis to go to 170. Zero to 60 happens for Steph in a mere 2.5 seconds. That's how long it takes you to realize that the car isn't smiling because it likes you, it's smiling because...well, you'd be smiling, too.
Driving the Dragon
SS: What were the goals behind the creation of the new car?
SP: The goal of this car is to go faster than the hatchback ever did, which was a 9.49. Beyond that, it's just a bonus.
SS: What's it like to prep for an 8-second run?
SP: I just have to be assured that the car is running properly and that soothes me a lot. Then, I just go out there and do my job-make sure I cut a good light and be consistent and get it into all the gears.
SS: You're already running in the 8s with this brand-new car. Do you think you'll get into the 7s?
SP: Hopefully, but if we don't, I'm not going to be disappointed.
Fast Facts
Owner: Stephan Papadakis
Hometown: Anaheim Hills, California
Daily Grind: Pro Racer
Ride: 2001 Honda Civic Coupe
Under The Hood: 2.2L four-cylinder (H22A); Bore x stroke: Undisclosed; GReddy T88 ball-bearing turbo with GReddy type C wastegate, JE Pistons and rings; AEM adjustable cam gears, custom air intake, fuel regulator, fuel rail; connecting rods by Cunningham Rods; Eshleman's Carbon Works intake manifold; GReddy primary fuel injectors; RC secondary fuel injectors; Denso spark plugs; MSD spark plug wires; Fluidyne radiator; power: 650 hp at the wheels
Stiff Stuff: Rob Miller custom suspension with Eibach brand springs in front
Stoppers: AEM and Lamb components
Outside: Custom carbon-fiber body, painted Ice Yellow Pearl by Body Pros, custom dual element carbon-fiber rear Spoiler by B&R, Graphics by Modern Image Signworks
Inside: Sparco racing seat, steering wheel, and pedals; lots of really important gauges; and some mysterious gold boxes.
Props:
Fabrication: Rob Miller; wiring: Jay Caldwell; tech assistance: AEM R&D department; custom machine work: Accufab John Mihovetz; miscellaneous people: Harold Hannemann, John Concialdi, Greg Nakano, Dan Benson, Derek Teklak, Robert Wilson, and Shaun Carlson