Spoon Sports certified builds have historically only ever been available directly from Spoon. The mark of something greater than the sum of its parts, a badge of honour that any Spoon fan strives to attain on their build, but could only ever officially be handed out by Spoon on cars built in-house by them.
Now, we're pleased to announce a new initiative that seeks to bring that same prestige to the rest of the world, for owners outside of Japan.
At Japfest 2026, Torque GT was pleased to issue the very first Spoon Sports Dealer Certified Vehicle plaque.
Officially recognised by Spoon Sports Japan, each plaque is issued with its own serial number. The programme is deliberately selective, intended to recognise owners who have approached their builds with genuine commitment to the Spoon Sports philosophy rather than simply accumulated parts.
What This Announcement Means
Torque GT can now officially certify selected European Honda builds as recognised Spoon Sports Dealer Certified Builds. Qualifying cars receive a physical plaque and are entered into the official Spoon Sports Japan records as a recognised build. Serial numbers are managed directly by Spoon Sports HQ in Japan.
The Spoon Sports Certified Build Programme: How It Works
As the primary distributor for the UK and EU territory, our relationship directly with Spoon Sports Japan means that we are now able to put qualifying European Honda builds forward for official review.
What a Certified Build Receives
- A physical plaque issued with its own serial number managed by Spoon Sports Japan
- Official entry into the Spoon Sports Japan records as a recognised build
What Makes a Build Eligible
This programme is genuinely selective. Not every Honda with Spoon parts will qualify, and that is the point.
The build must feature a significant and cohesive collection of Spoon components purchased through the official distribution channel. Components purchased outside of this, such as parallel imported components, will not be eligible. As the official EU distributor, Torque GT must be able to verify the authenticity of where these parts were purchased, which forms part of the assessment.
We are looking for builds where the owner has gone above and beyond in maintaining the heritage of Spoon Sports, where the attention to detail is visible and the commitment to the philosophy is obvious. Eligibility is assessed holistically rather than against a checklist.
How Certification Works
Torque GT assesses and recommends qualifying builds as the regional distributor. Spoon Sports Japan manages the serial numbers and maintains the official records. The responsibility for identifying and putting forward appropriate candidates sits with us, and that is what gives the regional programme meaning.
The First Official Spoon Sports Certified Build in Europe: David Wright's FK8 Civic Type R
The programme was announced at Japfest on 19 April 2026, and the first car to receive official certification through Torque GT is David Wright's FK8 Civic Type R. What makes this moment significant beyond the car itself is that Takuya Kai was present at the event and handed the plaque to David in person, marking the significance of the moment.
David's FK8 is about as thorough a Spoon build as you will find on a road car. Engine bay to exterior, every aspect of the car has been addressed with genuine Spoon parts sourced correctly through official channels. The spec covers engine and cooling, a full suspension overhaul including motion control and bump steer correction, the N1 exhaust system, SW388 forged wheels and the full aero package including the 3D GT-Wing. The build is notable not for the number of parts but for how completely the Spoon-ism philosophy has been applied throughout.
| Category | Part |
|---|---|
| Engine | Spoon Sports Rocker Cover (signed by Tatsuru Ichishima) |
| Spoon Sports Oil Filler Cap | |
| Spoon Sports Coolant Cap | |
| Spoon Sports Aluminium Radiator | |
| Spoon Sports Thermostat | |
| Spoon Sports Carbon Air Duct | |
| Spoon Sports Carbon Plug Cover | |
| Spoon Sports N1 Exhaust System | |
| Spoon Sports Throttle Body | |
| Suspension | Spoon Sports Lowering Springs |
| Spoon Sports Rear Anti Roll Bar | |
| Spoon Sports Rigid Collars Front and Rear | |
| Spoon Sports Full Engine Mounts | |
| Spoon Sports Stiff Plate | |
| Spoon Sports Motion Control Bean Front and Rear | |
| Spoon Sports Zero Bump Steer Kit | |
| Brakes | Spoon Sports Brake Lines |
| Wheels | Spoon Sports SW388 Forged Matt Black 19×9.5 ET45 |
| Spoon Sports Cone Lug Nuts | |
| Interior | Spoon Sports Steering Wheel |
| Spoon Sports Shift Knob | |
| Spoon Sports Steering Wheel Boss and Control Bracket | |
| Exterior | Spoon Sports Aero Front Bumper with Carbon Lip |
| Spoon Sports Aero Rear Bumper with Carbon Diffuser | |
| Spoon Sports 3D GT-Wing (crane-neck) | |
| Spoon Sports Aero Mirrors |
The signed rocker cover is a detail worth noting. Ichishima signing a component on a customer car is not something that happens often. It is a mark of genuine recognition from the man who started all of this, and it says something about the standard David's build was held to.
Who Is Spoon Sports and Why Does Certification Matter?
Spoon began competing in the N1 Endurance Championship in 1992. Ichishima effectively challenged Honda to acknowledge what his team was doing with their own cars, starting with Ichishima-sans personal Honda Civic E-AT. Honda eventually came around to official support. The company has been racing continuously ever since, and their current FL5 Civic Type R competes in the Super Taikyu series to ST-2 regulations today.
Spoon-ism is the belief that a car should be an extension of the driver. Every component on a Spoon car is there because it earns its place, adding valued performance to the car.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Spoon Sports Certified Build?
A Honda that has been assessed by Torque GT as a regional distributor and recognised as meeting the Spoon-ism standard. Certified builds receive a physical plaque with a serial number managed by Spoon Sports Japan and are entered into the official Spoon Sports Japan records. Final confirmation and serial number allocation are managed by Spoon Sports HQ in Japan.
Does my car need to be built for track use to be eligible?
No. Eligibility is based on the quality and coherence of the build and its adherence to Spoon-ism principles. A well-executed road car built around genuine Spoon components with a clear philosophy and serious attention to detail can qualify.
Do parts have to be sourced through Torque GT?
No. Parts purchased from other dealers in your territory qualify, but they must have been sourced through official Spoon Sports dealers. As the UK/EU distributor, Torque GT can verify the authenticity of parts supplied by us, which supports the application. Builds featuring non-genuine Spoon parts or parts imported from outside official dealer networks will not qualify.
How do I apply?
Contact Torque GT directly with details and pictures of your build. We will evaluate where it stands and discuss next steps and what the process involves. The programme is selective by design, so taking time to understand a build properly before putting it forward is part of how we maintain the integrity of the certification.
Torque GT is an official Spoon Sports EU distributor. All Spoon Sports parts supplied by Torque GT are sourced directly through official Spoon Sports distribution channels.
