Mike's Clio 200 track day car

No road miles, no MOT or tax etc so it's track use only

I have started it up and it seemed a bit vibratey, but that may be subjective as I have read others posts about new engine mounts causing vibration and then settling down, so my opinion may be affected by that. It's also still up on stands which may make a difference.

Tickover was a bit all over the place as well, don't know if that's it settling down having had the battery out for the g/box replacement or the vibration affecting the throttle body or .... it may have a KTec ECU map (found an old ad stating that it did but not confirmed it's still in place) it tends to be slightly erratic till it warms up.

Not really an issue either way as it's a bit harsh and noisy inside due to the complete lack of trim:smile:
 
Track day #2 complete

I don't think I would want the full set of Powerflex engine/gearbox mounts in a road car, lots of vibrations and making the few remaining bits of trim rattle about. Can't say I have noticed much difference from them (in the way the car drives) but I fitted them as a precautionary measure based on tales of cracking manifold flexi joints so that's that box ticked.

Managed about fifty laps over six sessions, happy with the car/handling/tyres etc. Noted a slight bit of juddering from the brakes a few times, I haven't had chance to look at them yet but I think it may be pad material transferring to the disc. It has DS2500s at present so may go slightly harder (not by too much as there was no fade as such) and get the faces of the discs cleaned up on a lathe to avoid any contamination.

Static picture only as I was there on my own, the circuit photographers pics aren't online yet but will have look and see if anything is there soon.IMG_0926.JPG

There were loads of Caterhams using the track day as a pre-race test so they ran in session which limited time on track a bit but was a sensible move really. Lots of very nice race trucks (hence the awning in the background) setting up ready for testing today and Friday then a weekend of racing, all very impressive.
 
I didn't get as far as changing anything on the brakes for the next trackday. I measured the front pad thickness when I serviced the brakes when I bought the car and checked them again after trackday #2 and next to no wear really so cleaned up the disc surface for now. Rear pad wear was higher than I expected though so they will need replacing after the next time out. Otherwise a quick look over the car and it was ready to go.

Castle Combe trackday #3 complete. About 50 laps for 102 miles.

Open pit lane this time, with a different organiser. First run out was three sighting laps then the track was open for the balance of 15 mins. Wet and slightly drizzling, so I swapped the rear tyres (about 4mm of tread) to the front and put a new set on the rear. Still R888Rs all round. Went ok, bit slippy but nothing horrendous

Run two was much the same, rained a bit harder and the dry line disappeared gradually. Sat around in the pits whilst it continued to rain a bit but eventually I decided that I was going to go out anyway. I haven't driven the car in proper rain so now was the time! Pulled up to the track entry just as it was red flagged due to an off. Waited for 10 mins and the option of an early lunch was taken.

Went back to the track entry after the lunch break, it appeared that I was the only one who realised that early stop meant early re-start and I was the only car out there for about 15mins, with the odd few joining in. Wet but not raining but the lack of cars meant no dry line forming yet. Learnt a lot about the car in the rain this time.

Next session was a bit frustrating, got as far as the end of the pit lane and it was red flagged again due to another off. Lot of damage unfortunately to a car that was testing for a race meeting today so a shame for him. As I was the last car on the track it was back of the queue again. By this time (14.00) it felt like I had only done a dozen laps since 10.00 so whilst it couldn't be helped I was getting mildly pissed off. Next two sessions went smoothly, Track was dry for both, very few cars out there. Excellent fun.

Knocked it on the head at 3.30. As I hire a trailer I needed to get it back by 5.30 and promptly got absolutely soaked when it poured down as I loaded up (It stopped the minute I finished:anguished: )

So, new discs and pads for the rear now and at least new pads for the front. Again I suffered from a slight shudder under braking and you can see pad material on the disc. DS2500s at the moment and I don't get any fade as such but they must be getting too hot. Any recommendations?

Same for rear pads and discs all round, any thoughts?

I may rebuild the calipers (at least the rears) as well while I am at it
 
So, new discs and pads for the rear now and at least new pads for the front. Again I suffered from a slight shudder under braking and you can see pad material on the disc. DS2500s at the moment and I don't get any fade as such but they must be getting too hot. Any recommendations?

had the same happening to me. went from DS2500 to DS1.11. never had any issue with them.
 
I notice you had a cut off switch sticker on your bonnet. Where is it located?


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Thanks, I was thinking about DS3000s but will look at those as well (was thinking they may be too hard)

with 'too hard' you mean too abrasive for the discs? i run those DS1.11 with brembo HC's. can't notice any excessive wear of the discs. have them on the car for almost 18 months now.
 
Thanks, I was thinking about DS3000s but will look at those as well (was thinking they may be too hard)

Ds1.11 are a much better and consistent track pad that’s not as abrasive on discs as the ds3000, many people recommend the 1.11’s over them. I ran mine for about 8-10 tracks days with 335mm rotors and still had life left in them. Worth the money!
 
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with 'too hard' you mean too abrasive for the discs? i run those DS1.11 with brembo HC's. can't notice any excessive wear of the discs. have them on the car for almost 18 months now.

'Hard' meaning a higher temperature range. I was thinking that they may not get up to temperature on a trackday (rather than competition) car. Thanks for the advice (and to tombate911 and Big Ben) I will order some DS1.11s
 
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'Hard' meaning a higher temperature range. I was thinking that they may not get up to temperature on a trackday (rather than competition) car. Thanks for the advice (and to tombate911 and Big Ben) I will order some DS1.11s

You shouldn’t have any issues getting them up to temp. There’s a friction coefficient graph on Ferrodo’s website somewhere and I think 1.11’s are fairly flat - ie work well from cold and hot. They are a really good pad I’d definitely recommend them too. I use them and have had no problems whatsoever.
 
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