Hi Guys
Been a RS fan for a few years now, but this is my first venture in to a Clio, or go-kart as my wife calls it.
Started out with a ropey 225 Trophy I spent about 3x it's value on. Hybrid tubro, Forge front mount, Ktec exhaust, H&R springs and a few other bits. 275/311.
IMAG0558 by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Sold that when it just kept going wrong so bought a nice near stock R26 and threw more money at that! Although most mods were carried over from the Trophy I did fit KW v3 coilovers which are the best mod I have ever done to a car.
IMG_2160 by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
IMG_2002 by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
IMG_2120 by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Just when the R26 was spot on, I got bored, as you do and sold it to buy my 197 (which I will come on to). But thinking I missed the boost I went out and bought another R26 last month and the ringlands promptly failed on me!
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
So, leaves me with the Clio 197 F1 Team (or whatever it's full name is...)
Flew up from Exeter to Manchester off the back of positive phones call with Norman (yes, that's his real name). Norman collected me from the airport and took me to his house / garage. So Norman, are you a dealer? No, it's my son's car, he bought it to track but it's too tidy.
IMG_2473 by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Test drive went well, apart from an ear splitting exhaust (Toyosport mani, decat and Scorpion system), and a deal was done. Cue 5 hour drive home from Manchester, and at first time of hitting the motorway and stretching the legs I realised I'd done a bad thing: 3/4 gearbox synchros....
IMG_2482 by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
So, Norman is a mechanic but assured me the box was fine, and his son was getting rid because it was too tidy to track, and I could only test it around the 'burbs of Manchester at 40mph. I'd been shafted.
Still, was tidy enough: wheels had just been refurbished, new Parada Spec2 tyres, 19mm spacers all round, new discs and pads up front, the aforementioned exhaust system, 200 diffuser and repaired Recaros.
IMG_2512 by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
After a few weeks the suspension started to make a noise, so promptly bought some B14 coilovers expecting the issue to be a top mount, wrong, swivel hub. Double bad thing.
IMG_2524 by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Two trips to BeanieSport later and we have a refurbished gearbox fitted and new swivel hub bearing. Unfortunately the replacement box is leaking so needs a revisit.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Standard Renault headlight bulb change shot...
IMG_2670 by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Which brings me up to the last few weeks; tried the R26 wheels on it, but they just don't suit it in my opinion. But the drilled discs work very nicely thank you very much! Also swapped my 200 diffuser for a gloss painted 197 one. Want to cut the exhausts back to slash tips. More function over form.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
So do I miss boost? Not really. Love chasing the shiftlight in the Clio and I feel it is the right balance of speed and agility for where I live. Plan is to get on track as soon as the box leak is fixed.
Darren
Been a RS fan for a few years now, but this is my first venture in to a Clio, or go-kart as my wife calls it.
Started out with a ropey 225 Trophy I spent about 3x it's value on. Hybrid tubro, Forge front mount, Ktec exhaust, H&R springs and a few other bits. 275/311.
IMAG0558 by Darren Jasper, on FlickrSold that when it just kept going wrong so bought a nice near stock R26 and threw more money at that! Although most mods were carried over from the Trophy I did fit KW v3 coilovers which are the best mod I have ever done to a car.
IMG_2160 by Darren Jasper, on FlickrIMG_2002 by Darren Jasper, on FlickrIMG_2120 by Darren Jasper, on FlickrJust when the R26 was spot on, I got bored, as you do and sold it to buy my 197 (which I will come on to). But thinking I missed the boost I went out and bought another R26 last month and the ringlands promptly failed on me!
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrUntitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrSo, leaves me with the Clio 197 F1 Team (or whatever it's full name is...)
Flew up from Exeter to Manchester off the back of positive phones call with Norman (yes, that's his real name). Norman collected me from the airport and took me to his house / garage. So Norman, are you a dealer? No, it's my son's car, he bought it to track but it's too tidy.
IMG_2473 by Darren Jasper, on FlickrTest drive went well, apart from an ear splitting exhaust (Toyosport mani, decat and Scorpion system), and a deal was done. Cue 5 hour drive home from Manchester, and at first time of hitting the motorway and stretching the legs I realised I'd done a bad thing: 3/4 gearbox synchros....
IMG_2482 by Darren Jasper, on FlickrSo, Norman is a mechanic but assured me the box was fine, and his son was getting rid because it was too tidy to track, and I could only test it around the 'burbs of Manchester at 40mph. I'd been shafted.
Still, was tidy enough: wheels had just been refurbished, new Parada Spec2 tyres, 19mm spacers all round, new discs and pads up front, the aforementioned exhaust system, 200 diffuser and repaired Recaros.
IMG_2512 by Darren Jasper, on FlickrAfter a few weeks the suspension started to make a noise, so promptly bought some B14 coilovers expecting the issue to be a top mount, wrong, swivel hub. Double bad thing.
IMG_2524 by Darren Jasper, on FlickrTwo trips to BeanieSport later and we have a refurbished gearbox fitted and new swivel hub bearing. Unfortunately the replacement box is leaking so needs a revisit.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrStandard Renault headlight bulb change shot...
IMG_2670 by Darren Jasper, on FlickrWhich brings me up to the last few weeks; tried the R26 wheels on it, but they just don't suit it in my opinion. But the drilled discs work very nicely thank you very much! Also swapped my 200 diffuser for a gloss painted 197 one. Want to cut the exhausts back to slash tips. More function over form.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrUntitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrUntitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrSo do I miss boost? Not really. Love chasing the shiftlight in the Clio and I feel it is the right balance of speed and agility for where I live. Plan is to get on track as soon as the box leak is fixed.
Darren
