///M
Gold Member
Sean's 197T - RIP Albi :(
- Thread starter Sean197
- Start date
Clio pics
next to a V8-powered Mk2 Escort:
Boost pipe came off after an exuberant trip over the sausage-kerbs at Radillon, fixed by the owner of the V8 Mk2 Escort giving me some jubilee clips to double-up - top man:
On track pics:
The place
One word - awesome. Right from the get-go you can just sense the motorsport history. Walking through the paddock, the pit-lane, the garages etc. was an amazing experience in itself, let alone being able to drive the actual track.
The track itself was brilliant, I was amazed at the elevation changes throughout the track, something which you really don't appreciate when watching on TV.
The organisation was excellent, run by Circuit Days. The staff were really helpful and approachable, and I will definitely be tracking with them again.
Overall the other drivers were great, more than happy to let you take pics of their cars and discuss them, even had a few people ask me about mine and ask to take pics which I was chuffed to bits with! One guy asked if I was on slicks as he couldn't keep up with me through the corners, so obviously happy with that. There were a few dicks out on track, but out of 50 or so cars I would say that's to be expected, and the staff quickly dealt with them.
The car
What can I say. The car was flawless, bar the boost pipe coming off, but I did go over sausage-kerbs at 130mph so I think I can forgive that. Also, as mentioned earlier, I was running standard pads on the front which caused a vibration under hard braking with the new discs. Next time I will definitely be running DS 1.11 or Carbon Lorraine RC 6 or similar.
At first I was critical of the B14's for being too soft, which they probably are, but after a few laps I got used to them and adjusted my driving to suit, and my god was the Clio awesome. I found time and time again that faster cars breezed past me on the Kemmel Straight, only for me to be right up their chuff through Sector 2. The handling really was incredible, and the performance of the tyres was nothing short of brilliant. For £66 per tyre I will be using them again without hesitation.
Overall, the car was great, and I really have a new-found appreciation of the RenaultSport chassis. Seriously, you think you know just how capable your car is, but the truth is you have no idea until you take it on track. That's when it really comes alive and you can show up far more expensive machinery.
Overall, I will definitely be going back to Spa. Amazing place, and easily the best experience of my life.
Hopefully next year when I return the car will have more power, bigger brakes, buckets and harnesses, and ideally a vented bonnet. That way I can really make the most of the car.
Anyway, thanks for reading!
An epic post! I've been there for the F1 and been on track on foot (we did a lap after the F1) but now I NEED to do a track day there. A real joy to read, that.
Pav
Moderator
what a great write up Sean..really chuffed you had such a great time..the pics are awesome..can tell that your car is running 100%..
bet you will be going back !!so all Kev has been telling us was true..awesome place,people time,experience..
glad people realize how much fun these cars are..they gotta be tracked!!
really happy for you Sean..
bet you will be going back !!so all Kev has been telling us was true..awesome place,people time,experience..
glad people realize how much fun these cars are..they gotta be tracked!!
really happy for you Sean..
Also visited the Renault dealership on the Champs-Elysees while in Paris and saw this:
And one for Kev @nutnutwelshman :
And one for Kev @nutnutwelshman :
Jimmy
Good cop
What a brilliant write up Sean! Really enjoyed reading that, it does look an immense place to visit, let alone drive round! Glowing review for the Clio too, which is so great to see - it's a nice little reminder of what awesome cars we all own!
Cracking photos too, the car looks great on track!
Cracking photos too, the car looks great on track!
spa on a gorgeous sunny day. what's not to like, eh? excellent write up sean.
like you said, sector two is best in our cars. always nice to humble far more powerful cars.
any idea how many laps you got in?
Did about 50 I think, doing 1 out lap, 2 or 3 hot laps then 1 or 2 cool down laps at a time.
Great write up Sean. Enjoyed reading that.
Looks like I need to get to Spa pronto
Looks like I need to get to Spa pronto
Yes OCTOBERGreat write up Sean. Enjoyed reading that.
Looks like I need to get to Spa pronto
Fantastic write-up, pictures and fun your having Sean by the look of it. I can feel the excitement in your posts from here !!!
Look at the weather too. My goodness you were blessed. Great to see.
What rubber are you running BTW (Saw your highly impressed at £66 a corner) ?
Look at the weather too. My goodness you were blessed. Great to see.
What rubber are you running BTW (Saw your highly impressed at £66 a corner) ?
https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-ty...kyezi-Mk15iQiWS3IQM4NcR1Hn63cTFnZyRoCzL_w_wcB
Really impressed with them, chasing m3's and porsches through Pouhon at 100mph+ with so much ease it was funny.
Cheers Sean !
Had Kuhmo Ecsta on my last car - not this 'carlos fandango' model though.
Great rubber in my eyes.
One to seriously consider at that price ! How have they held up.......with some severe punishment i imagine ?
They still look brand new, and they took everything I (and the clio chassis) had to throw at them. Honestly was seriously impressed by them. I would be amazed if other track tyres twice the price were twice as good. I'll definitely buy them again.
Will have to get a second set of wheels Sean l just run std Road rubber bud
Would definitely recommend it. I only took these wheels with me, and even through a thunderstorm just as we arrived on Saturday these tyres coped really well.
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