Spoon Sports, a name synonymous with Honda tuning and racing, stands out as one of the most respected and recognized brands in the world of automotive performance. Founded by Tatsuru Ichishima in 1988, Spoon Sports emerged out of a deep-seated passion for motorsports and a desire to push the limits of Honda vehicles. Over the decades, Spoon has grown from a small workshop to a global phenomenon, with its influence felt in both racing circuits and the aftermarket performance parts industry.

Spoon Sports was founded by Tatsuru Ichishima, a former Honda engineer and a motorsport enthusiast. Ichishima’s love for Honda cars began in his youth, and his experience as a mechanic at Honda gave him a deep understanding of the brand’s vehicles. However, Ichishima felt that Honda’s production cars, while excellent, had untapped potential, especially in racing scenarios. He believed that with the right modifications, these vehicles could perform even better on the track.

With the mission to enhance the performance of Honda cars while maintaining their reliability, Ichishima named the company “Spoon” as it was inspired by the Spoon Curve at the Suzuka Circuit, a challenging section of the track that demands precision and control—qualities that Ichishima wanted to embody in his work. The company quickly became known for its meticulous attention to detail, and its products started gaining traction among Honda enthusiasts who sought to push their cars to new limits.

Spoon Sports’ journey is marked by several significant events that have solidified its reputation in the automotive world. One of the earliest milestones was the development of the Spoon Civic EF9, a modified version of the Honda Civic that became a benchmark for performance tuning. The EF9 showcased Spoon’s ability to extract maximum performance from Honda’s engines while maintaining the car’s inherent balance and reliability.

In the 1990s, Spoon began participating in various racing events, further proving the capabilities of their modified Hondas. The company’s involvement in the Super Taikyu Endurance Series, a prestigious racing competition in Japan, was a significant turning point. Spoon’s success in this series, particularly with the Honda Civic and Integra models, demonstrated the effectiveness of their tuning philosophy and established their credibility on the racetrack.

Another key event was the introduction of the Spoon NSX, a high-performance version of Honda’s flagship sports car. The Spoon NSX was a testament to the company’s engineering prowess, as it balanced power, handling, and reliability to create a car that was both thrilling to drive and durable enough for endurance racing. The NSX solidified Spoon’s position as a leader in Honda tuning and further expanded their influence in the automotive industry.

Spoon Sports’ impact on racing, particularly with Honda vehicles, is profound, with the company’s dedication to precision engineering and performance making it a key player in various racing series both in Japan and internationally. Spoon’s vehicles are often seen competing in prestigious events such as the Super Taikyu Endurance Series, the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, and the Macau Grand Prix. A significant highlight of Spoon’s influence in racing is their partnership with Mugen, another renowned Honda tuning company. This collaboration has resulted in some of the most successful Honda racing cars in history, with their combined expertise producing vehicles that have dominated various racing series, proving that properly tuned Honda cars can compete at the highest levels of motorsport.

Beyond racing, Spoon has made a significant impact on the aftermarket industry, particularly in the realm of performance parts for Honda vehicles. The company’s parts are renowned for their quality, durability, and the performance gains they offer. Spoon’s catalog includes everything from engine components and suspension systems to aerodynamic parts and exhaust systems, all designed with the same attention to detail that has made their race cars successful.

One of the most iconic Spoon aftermarket parts is the Spoon Yellow Valve Cover, which has become a symbol of performance and quality among Honda fans. The yellow valve cover, often seen on Spoon-tuned engines, represents the company’s commitment to precision and performance. It is a visual cue that the engine underneath has been enhanced by one of the most respected names in Honda tuning.

Spoon Sports’ rise from a small workshop to a global leader in Honda tuning reflects the vision and dedication of its founder, Tatsuru Ichishima. Renowned for its influence on racing and the aftermarket industry, Spoon Sports is celebrated for its commitment to precision, performance, and reliability, earning a loyal global following among Honda enthusiasts. The company has not only redefined what Honda vehicles can achieve on the racetrack but has also empowered enthusiasts to enhance their own cars, inspiring a new generation of tuners and racers as its legacy continues to evolve with emerging models and technologies.

In a world where performance tuning often comes at the expense of reliability, Spoon Sports stands out as a brand that refuses to compromise. Whether on the racetrack or the street, Spoon-tuned vehicles embody the spirit of racing and the pursuit of perfection, ensuring that the company’s name will continue to be revered for years to come.