 The intent of the series was to create a relatively safe racing environment for the large number of Driving School participants and instructors with Hondas who had stayed away from racing due to fear of excessive car to car contact.For its inaugural season, East Coast Honda Challenge included a "13/13" contact rule, that suspended racers who initiated car to car contact during races.After the first year, this rule was dropped and contact during Honda Challenge races is handled by NASA in the same manner as all other racing series.