Somerset LY RS200

[Matthewjread]

Hi All!

I have been lurking on the forums for a little while without a Clio myself. It's safe to say I have been absolutely loving reading some of these build threads! Some real beauties out there.

Anyway, enough of the soppiness, back to the point in question, my car!

The car is a 2009 Clio RS200 with the Cup Packs, Recaros and Cup Spoiler, finished in the lovely Liquid Yellow and at the time of buying it, has covered a smidge over 112,000. I don't usually show an interest in cars with this sort of mileage, however I was assured by the owner and the stack of history that came with it that it shouldn't put me off.

It has a few tasty mods already such as:

- H&R Lowering Springs
- Team Dynamic Wheels (Unsure of exact specs, but the fitment without spacers is near damn perfect)
- Ktec Manifold
- Sports Cat
- Ktec Catback Exhaust
- Ktec Intake
- Polybushed Engine and Gearbox Mounts

It is my first proper experience with an N/A car, I have had Megane RS250's in various states over the last 4 years or so, so it is nice to have something that feels like home, yet is still a completely different experience.

The aim for the Clio is to be a weekend toy with a bit of mild track use. Hopefully also to take over to the Nurburgring, after being there a couple of times this year and not being in a car of mine, it really has sealed the fact that I need to get back out there in 2025!

I'm not sure how regularly I will be updating this thread as it depends on how quickly things progress, however as soon as anything exciting happens then I will be sure to pop it in here!

Matt

 

[Matthewjread]

Here's a quick photo I have grabbed off of my PC of the car, back a couple of weeks ago the day after I collected it.

 

[burrellbloke]

Welcome.

Liquid yellow is an excellent colour. I had a Megane 280 in liquid yellow. But, glacier white is also a very good colour.

 

[Beany]

I do like the 200’s in LY.

The engines are pretty the only good thing in these cars that whilst they struggle to produce decent bhp figures they’re bulletproof if looked after correctly.

Hopefully cambelt been done at least twice by now it looks clean.

Triggered point but these cars had lots of options the term ‘cup packs’ doesn’t really apply is from the the 172 / 182 days where it was 2 to choose from

 

[Tarticmonkey]

Car looks mega! Just needs a Ring trip

 

[Matthewjread]

Welcome.

Liquid yellow is an excellent colour. I had a Megane 280 in liquid yellow. But, glacier white is also a very good colour.

Thanks! Funnily enough, I would have actually preferred a GW one! However I have read many a good thread on white Clios so I feel that may have steered my want slightly. @R20BTG is one of the main culprits of this as that Clio is dreamy

I do like the 200’s in LY.

The engines are pretty the only good thing in these cars that whilst they struggle to produce decent bhp figures they’re bulletproof if looked after correctly.

Hopefully cambelt been done at least twice by now it looks clean.

Triggered point but these cars had lots of options the term ‘cup packs’ doesn’t really apply is from the the 172 / 182 days where it was 2 to choose from

Yeah I'm a big fan of it.

I'm not too fussed about chasing power figures, I would rather be in something that makes me work for the power as I find it much more rewarding and satisfying.

My apologies! Still a bit of a newbie here lol!

Car looks mega! Just needs a Ring trip

Just waiting for the dates to officially be released I will probably aim to be out there on the last BH in May, as that would be a good way to spend my Birthday weekend!

 

[Matthewjread]

Also, quick question:

Are there any Track Day Organisers to avoid when looking to book track days? Or is it a case of just book whatever works best for me?

I have only done one track day before and that was ran by Javelin which was good, however I only booked on because my friend in a 197 F1 was already going.

 

[Tarticmonkey]

TDO's are very much of muchness in my humble opinion. I used to think javelin were crap but every day I've done this year with them has been run well so have no issue in them. All other TDO's ive used have been sound as well. The only one I don't know if I'd book with is RMA; as they seem a bit too posh for me personally - though RMA do have noisey days and allow overtaking on both sides of cars regardless of the Track or consent which sounds like it has the potential for some spice.

I'd argue it also depends on what track you're heading to as well. As Donington I would expect a stop start day regardless of what TDO is running the day for example. And you'll also find that some TDO's have more dates at some circuits than others.

So in summary - yes book whatever works for you.

 

[Beany]

whilst i can’t personally recommend a public day hosted by RMA, I have had a private session run by them and it was lully…

Only issue I have / had with MSV is the photography side of it lets it down but the days I’ve had with them have been great.

Comes down to personal preference I think they’re all have faults, it’s just whether it happens your day!

The Marshall’s are the biggest culprit at donington

 

[burrellbloke]

I have not done an RMA day because I have a Clio. I have done days with Open Track, Javelin, Track Obsession and MSV. Like @Beany said they are all very similar but MSV photos always seem to be poor.

 

[Matthewjread]

Thanks all! I think I’ll have a gander at what’s available in the early part of New Year and hopefully pull the trigger on booking some.

I’ve read in various other threads about the Marshalls at Donington being not 100%, especially on the Pit Wall. However I can’t comment from personal experiences as I’ve never been there for a track day.

 

[Tarticmonkey]

whilst i can’t personally recommend a public day hosted by RMA, I have had a private session run by them and it was lully…

Only issue I have / had with MSV is the photography side of it lets it down but the days I’ve had with them have been great.

Comes down to personal preference I think they’re all have faults, it’s just whether it happens your day!

The Marshall’s are the biggest culprit at donington

Fair comment on photography with MSV usually crap and expensive

 

[Matthewjread]

A little bit of rainy Saturday afternoon dullness lead me to dropping my friend a message to see if he fancied coming out to play the next morning over at Cheddar Gorge. This is only an hour away from me and has some fun twisty sections, albeit can be quite tight and “goat filled” at points.

We got there early on to try and beat the tourists and ever increasing number of cyclists, as they can often cause quite bad hold ups in the Gorge even at the quiet points in the day.

Said friend has just picked up his brand new to him Clio RS200 in Pearl White, and I must say that under the protective layer of Somerset’s finest mud and grime it really does look the bee’s knees!

It’s interesting to compare the differences between the both of them, so similar yet very different in their own rights.

I let my friend drive mine so I could hear it from the outside, I’m surprised how different it sounds! And my god, the intake howl echoing off the cliffs was to die for!!