John's GW 200

[peter]

still on the PS4's, john?

 

[Johnny 99]

still on the PS4's, john?

Yes Peter, but they were squealing a lot today, I think I've found their limit! Squealing both on bends and under braking. Talking of braking I still have no problem with DS2500 pads. No fade & ample stopping power for me coupled with good on road performance. I have no need for anything more track orientated at this stage. Maybe when I upgrade my tyres that will change. I'm considering going down the route @Beany has gone with PS4 in wet weather & general road use & AD08r for dry weather track days. I'll need more rims though.

 

[Big Ben]

Yes Peter, but they were squealing a lot today, I think I've found their limit! Squealing both on bends and under braking. Talking of braking I still have no problem with DS2500 pads. No fade & ample stopping power for me coupled with good on road performance. I have no need for anything more track orientated at this stage. Maybe when I upgrade my tyres that will change. I'm considering going down the route @Beany has gone with PS4 in wet weather & general road use & AD08r for dry weather track days. I'll need more rims though.

Great excuse to buy another set of wheels John
I think the AD08R’s will outperform the PS4 in the dry and vice versa in the wet

 

[jamesgw200]

Great excuse to buy another set of wheels John
I think the AD08R’s will outperform the PS4 in the dry and vice versa in the wet

tho you'd be surprised how good the ad08rs are in light rain!

 

[Johnny 99]

Straight through the MOT today, no issues. Maintenance is the key. Had rear brake pads changed (after test passed) & exhaust adjustment. So nice not to have resonance from exhaust system on diffuser! Was driving me nuts. Quiet run up to Inverness from Edinburgh. Rentec Autocare in Edinburgh saved my sanity!

 

[Big Ben]

Good news on the MOT John. Sounds like it’s been a great week of Clio ownership

 

[Beany]

Congrats on the clean bill of health for the Clio.

 

[Pav]

Always great to know that the car is healthy and ready to race...
Good news..enjoy another year with your baby

 

[Doogle]

John, just read it all. Awesome thread and awesome car! I would love TD's, I think weight loss is the key to these cars and loss on rolling weight is up to 4 times more efficient over weight elsewhere.

I definitely agree with you on the maintenance thing, I do want to stick mine on the track at some point but before that a gearbox oil change, brake fluid change, front brake pad change and oil change are needed. Impressed you have kept the PS4s on for track days, dont they shred through track use?

Ever thought about weight loss for track? I've seen people lose weight on the rear (strip the rear out) and although it helps for all manor of things I did think it upset the handling when I did, seems to make the front seem heavier.

 

[Johnny 99]

John, just read it all. Awesome thread and awesome car! I would love TD's, I think weight loss is the key to these cars and loss on rolling weight is up to 4 times more efficient over weight elsewhere.

I definitely agree with you on the maintenance thing, I do want to stick mine on the track at some point but before that a gearbox oil change, brake fluid change, front brake pad change and oil change are needed. Impressed you have kept the PS4s on for track days, dont they shred through track use?

Ever thought about weight loss for track? I've seen people lose weight on the rear (strip the rear out) and although it helps for all manor of things I did think it upset the handling when I did, seems to make the front seem heavier.

Thanks Doug, it's appreciated.
I've only done about 8/9 track days so far. 1st one with the car completely standard & on Conti 5 tyres. Gradually been making the tweeks to enhance the track experience. I'm not going for an all out track car though so won't be stripping the rear. I have a long drive from Northern Scotland to reach most tracks & the schlep down south might be a bit much in a stripped out car. I also have concerns about upsetting the balance of the car, though I would imagine sticking a cage in goes a fair way to replacing any weight loss from stripping the rear.
Up to now I've been happy with the PS4s. They're a decent compromise if you don't want to get involved in changing wheels over between wet & dry track sessions. At Spa with the boys earlier this year I was glad of them. Probably as good as Rainsports in the wet & certainly better in the wet than the AD08Rs some of the guys were running. I've never had any issues with shredding.
Last time out, at Donington on a lovely warm day, I did feel that perhaps I am now getting faster on track with more experience & I was maybe getting to the limits of them though. I might have to bite the bullet & get some AD08Rs or PS Cup 2s & another set of rims, though I'm reluctant to spend the money as I'm more about having fun than chasing lap times. I don't want to limit the fun I have on the road & I feel that AD08R might be a step too far living in Highland Scotland where a beautiful day can be punctuated with showers. Don't get me wrong, the weather here is nowhere near as bad as it's painted, in fact we've just had our 1st rain in over 2 months, but the Clio is my weekend toy for country road blasts & I don't want to lose that.
I'm off to Llandow for a track day next weekend so we'll see how I get on & that might help with my decision. Not sure that my better half would like me getting another set of rims. Between her daily & mine plus the Clio we already have three sets of spare wheels in the garage with winter tyres on & another 4 wheels might not go down too well!
As far as getting your car on track goes I would definitely say DO IT! You'll really discover how good the chassis is on the Clio. Maybe come along to one of the track days the guys on here are doing. I had a blast with them in Spa & I'll definitely be joining them again. It's even more fun with a friendly bunch than it is doing a day on your own.

 

[jamesgw200]

Thanks Doug, it's appreciated.
I've only done about 8/9 track days so far. 1st one with the car completely standard & on Conti 5 tyres. Gradually been making the tweeks to enhance the track experience. I'm not going for an all out track car though so won't be stripping the rear. I have a long drive from Northern Scotland to reach most tracks & the schlep down south might be a bit much in a stripped out car. I also have concerns about upsetting the balance of the car, though I would imagine sticking a cage in goes a fair way to replacing any weight loss from stripping the rear.
Up to now I've been happy with the PS4s. They're a decent compromise if you don't want to get involved in changing wheels over between wet & dry track sessions. At Spa with the boys earlier this year I was glad of them. Probably as good as Rainsports in the wet & certainly better in the wet than the AD08Rs some of the guys were running. I've never had any issues with shredding.
Last time out, at Donington on a lovely warm day, I did feel that perhaps I am now getting faster on track with more experience & I was maybe getting to the limits of them though. I might have to bite the bullet & get some AD08Rs or PS Cup 2s & another set of rims, though I'm reluctant to spend the money as I'm more about having fun than chasing lap times. I don't want to limit the fun I have on the road & I feel that AD08R might be a step too far living in Highland Scotland where a beautiful day can be punctuated with showers. Don't get me wrong, the weather here is nowhere near as bad as it's painted, in fact we've just had our 1st rain in over 2 months, but the Clio is my weekend toy for country road blasts & I don't want to lose that.
I'm off to Llandow for a track day next weekend so we'll see how I get on & that might help with my decision. Not sure that my better half would like me getting another set of rims. Between her daily & mine plus the Clio we already have three sets of spare wheels in the garage with winter tyres on & another 4 wheels might not go down too well!
As far as getting your car on track goes I would definitely say DO IT! You'll really discover how good the chassis is on the Clio. Maybe come along to one of the track days the guys on here are doing. I had a blast with them in Spa & I'll definitely be joining them again. It's even more fun with a friendly bunch than it is doing a day on your own.

i dont think you will ruin it with ad08rs, Theyre a great compromise between silly semi slick tyres and full on road tyres.
Its more likely to put a big smile on your face with the grip they will give you!

 

[peter]

i dont think you will ruin it with ad08rs, Theyre a great compromise between silly semi slick tyres and full on road tyres.
Its more likely to put a big smile on your face with the grip they will give you!

+1

 

[Big Ben]

+2

 

[Johnny 99]

i dont think you will ruin it with ad08rs, Theyre a great compromise between silly semi slick tyres and full on road tyres.
Its more likely to put a big smile on your face with the grip they will give you!

+1

+2

Thanks for the input guys. It'll be a while though as the PS4s are pretty new! Unless I go for another set of rims of course.

 

[Pav]

+3

 

[youngarthur]

I live near Thurso John,and as you say, its quite a way to get to Anglesea/Oulton/Cadwell/Spa.The rear seats/belts, are out of mine, but kept things like the Aircon.( It was on all the time at Spa!.) I run ps2 on track, and Nankans on the road, which is more than enough for my limited skills.I also go with a group of people, so if anything goes wrong, there is always someone to help.

 

[Doogle]

I live near Thurso John,and as you say, its quite a way to get to Anglesea/Oulton/Cadwell/Spa.The rear seats/belts, are out of mine, but kept things like the Aircon.( It was on all the time at Spa!.) I run ps2 on track, and Nankans on the road, which is more than enough for my limited skills.I also go with a group of people, so if anything goes wrong, there is always someone to help.

Do you not find the balance is upset a bit missing 20kg out of the back end? I think I would be tempted to compensate it with removal of air conditioning which saves 15kg-ish. I have made do so far without it in this scorching heat without it as I have a hole in my aircon rad. Its far down the list of bits to replace meaning by the time I can afford it I wont need it as it'll be winter!

Thanks Doug, it's appreciated.
I've only done about 8/9 track days so far. 1st one with the car completely standard & on Conti 5 tyres. Gradually been making the tweeks to enhance the track experience. I'm not going for an all out track car though so won't be stripping the rear. I have a long drive from Northern Scotland to reach most tracks & the schlep down south might be a bit much in a stripped out car. I also have concerns about upsetting the balance of the car, though I would imagine sticking a cage in goes a fair way to replacing any weight loss from stripping the rear.
Up to now I've been happy with the PS4s. They're a decent compromise if you don't want to get involved in changing wheels over between wet & dry track sessions. At Spa with the boys earlier this year I was glad of them. Probably as good as Rainsports in the wet & certainly better in the wet than the AD08Rs some of the guys were running. I've never had any issues with shredding.
Last time out, at Donington on a lovely warm day, I did feel that perhaps I am now getting faster on track with more experience & I was maybe getting to the limits of them though. I might have to bite the bullet & get some AD08Rs or PS Cup 2s & another set of rims, though I'm reluctant to spend the money as I'm more about having fun than chasing lap times. I don't want to limit the fun I have on the road & I feel that AD08R might be a step too far living in Highland Scotland where a beautiful day can be punctuated with showers. Don't get me wrong, the weather here is nowhere near as bad as it's painted, in fact we've just had our 1st rain in over 2 months, but the Clio is my weekend toy for country road blasts & I don't want to lose that.
I'm off to Llandow for a track day next weekend so we'll see how I get on & that might help with my decision. Not sure that my better half would like me getting another set of rims. Between her daily & mine plus the Clio we already have three sets of spare wheels in the garage with winter tyres on & another 4 wheels might not go down too well!
As far as getting your car on track goes I would definitely say DO IT! You'll really discover how good the chassis is on the Clio. Maybe come along to one of the track days the guys on here are doing. I had a blast with them in Spa & I'll definitely be joining them again. It's even more fun with a friendly bunch than it is doing a day on your own.

I do have a bunch of mates with Skylines, RX7's, MX5's and Escorts who do a few trackdays. I'd be the runt of the litter, inexperienced and underpowered in comparison but as you say, I reckon Id have a barrel of laughs and the handling would hold its own.

 

[youngarthur]

Do you not find the balance is upset a bit missing 20kg out of the back end? I think I would be tempted to compensate it with removal of air conditioning which saves 15kg-ish. I have made do so far without it in this scorching heat without it as I have a hole in my aircon rad. Its far down the list of bits to replace meaning by the time I can afford it I wont need it as it'll be winter!



I do have a bunch of mates with Skylines, RX7's, MX5's and Escorts who do a few trackdays. I'd be the runt of the litter, inexperienced and underpowered in comparison but as you say, I reckon Id have a barrel of laughs and the handling would hold its own.

The guys I go with, are all quicker than me in the dry, but I can outrun them in the wet, if they venture out, but, thats not the point. I have a good time, set my own pace, and drive the car home at the end of the day.Example........at Anglesey, there was a guy in a 1930. Bentley, it must have weighed 2 ton, and he was sliding the back end all over the place, and he was by far the slowest car there,BUT, having spoken to him, he was having as much fun, as the rest of us.Go and enjoy.

 

[Johnny 99]

The guys I go with, are all quicker than me in the dry, but I can outrun them in the wet, if they venture out, but, thats not the point. I have a good time, set my own pace, and drive the car home at the end of the day.Example........at Anglesey, there was a guy in a 1930. Bentley, it must have weighed 2 ton, and he was sliding the back end all over the place, and he was by far the slowest car there,BUT, having spoken to him, he was having as much fun, as the rest of us.Go and enjoy.

@youngarthur I couldn't agree more! It's all about having fun. As for that Bentley, I've always thought that if I won big on the lottery or something a Le Mans Bentley of that era would be high on my list of desires, if I could even afford one then!

When I lived in Surrey I had a customer in his '30s whose daily drive was a Lagonda from the '20s or '30s. Unpainted bodywork, no weather equiment, a fly screen, fly off handbrake & no boot. He looked the part in plus fours, tweed jacket with leather patches on the elbows, cap turned backwards (the kids of today aren't as original as they think!) & goggles. He was quite clearly always having a hoot when he drove. To negotiate a junction opposite my place of work which was at a 45 degree angle if he wanted to tun left he had to boot the throttle & skid the back end round. The sound of the car was amazing.

 

[Johnny 99]

Had a great day on Saturday at Llandow circuit with RSUK & RS197/200 groups. A small circuit around 45 seconds a lap from what I heard people saying though I have never timed myself. A nice chicane & a left, right, right, left sequence of 90 degree bends called the bus stop. Suited the smaller cars such as Clios & Twingos well, but an Audi RS4 in attendance looked too big for the place, hammering down the straights & then tootling around the bends. Met up with some familiar faces & had a great passenger ride in @R27WTF's awesome track car. This car is so well sorted & running on slicks was a completely different animal to my road biased car. Thanks Matt, & yes I did mean it when I said yours is my favourite Clio.

I had a pig of a drive down to South Wales for the event (12 hours), heavy spray for a couple of hundred miles & queueing traffic in roadwork's for about another hundred miles. Return trip was fine at around 9.5 hours of free flowing traffic & good weather.
I have now driven 9 different circuits & my sticker collection is growing.


I now have another addition to my car in the form of a parcel shelf with storage underneath & a sun blind on top. I've been keeping an eye out for one for a long time & was lucky to get this from Davinder (@DS197). Really happy with it.