The decision to dive into rallying wasn’t made in a boardroom or during a formal meeting. In true Tegiwa fashion, it happened over a few cold beers one summer evening at Oulton Park. We’ve always been passionate about motorsport, but rally had always been that discipline that we’d spoken very fondly of in our office.
The spark began with a challenge: converting our Civic FN2 race car into a rally machine. In just 30 intense days, we transformed the car and had it prepped for our first rally. October 2024 saw us taking on the Adgespeed Stages Rally at 3 Sisters circuit – a baptism of fire that ignited something special within the team. We earned a third place finish in our class for the efforts too.
If you’ve been following us over the years, you’ll know that things escalate quickly at Tegiwa, and we always throw ourselves in with both feet.
Luke, our driver and co-director of Tegiwa, was scrolling through the classifieds late one night and saw this Evo 9 RS. After not much convincing from the rest of the team, he made the long drive up to Scotland to collect it.
Performance-Bred History
This isn’t your average rally car. The Evo 9 RS prepared by Stuart Irvine at BHG Motorsport is not just a machine – it’s a meticulously crafted weapon designed for the Scottish Tarmac Rally Championship. With a best overall result of 6th in the championship and a valid MSUK Passport extending to 2029, this machine is ready to hit the stages with maximum potential.
The RS: Motorsport’s Purest Form
For the uninitiated, an RS model is essentially the automotive equivalent of a stripped-down fighter – the final boss of raw, unadulterated performance. This isn’t a luxury car; this is a machine purpose-built for one thing: going fast. We’re talking about a car so focused that comfort isn’t even a thought. No keyless entry, no CD player, no power mirrors, windows, or door locks. Hell, even the door handles are unpainted – every gram of excess weight has been ruthlessly eliminated.
Protection
The car’s foundation is an RS shell fortified with full underbody Kevlar protection. Custom Cages have designed a roll cage that provides both safety and structural rigidity. Additional protective elements include:
- Kevlar and aluminium sump guard
- Bumper protection
- Kevlar tank protection
- Diff guards
Engine
- Gas flowed manifold
- New turbo with 34mm restrictor
- GEMS ECU mapped for 100 octane pump fuel by Terry Stamper at ProMap
- New air intake and coolant sensors
Transmission
- Kapps 5-speed Dog Box rebuilt by Wayne Sissons at AMS
- Uprated VO shafts
- Plated RS rear diff
- ACD front diff
- Upgraded ACD pump by Harry Hockly Motorsport
Handling & Brakes
- Proflex Jumbo 3-way adjustable dampers
- Ralliart top mounts
- Completely rebuilt suspension arms and geometry
- Brembo VO Big Brake Kit with Hawk HP+ pads
- OZ Racing Superturismo Wheels
Interior
- Plumbed-in fire system
- Carbon footwells, door cards, and rear bulkhead
- Centre console with auxiliary switches and gauges
- Atech seats
- TRS harnesses
- Carbon roof vent
Versatility is Key
What makes this Evo 9 RS truly special is its adaptability. While currently set up for tarmac, it can be easily converted to forest specification – a testament to its versatile design.
Our First Outing: Tegiwa Donington Rally
Our first major event with the Evo 9 RS was the Tegiwa Donington Rally, and we’re proud to report a fantastic result – a third-place finish in our class. But we know this car has so much more potential. The performance was impressive, but we could feel there’s untapped speed and capability waiting to be unleashed.
As we look ahead to the 2025 season, we’re filled with excitement and anticipation. This Evo 9 RS is more than just a rally car – it’s the beginning of what promises to be an incredible motorsport journey for Tegiwa.
