IMO you'll never be the fastest on track - so it's about finding something you truly enjoy driving.
And when I was doing motorbike track days - that was something I could get involved in, ring the neck of and not feel like I was sitting atop a ticking time-bomb.
So the 1000cc / 180bhp monsters went: and I ended up on a 70bhp / 400cc bike. And never enjoyed anything more
My point being: Bigger and fast isn't necassarily better. Sometimes it's JUST bigger......
So -10mph faster down the straights and a few seconds off your lap times won't always revolutionise your enjoyment, so don't go chasing bhp just for the sake of it.
Having owned a huge selection of cars / bikes (And in no way am I a Clio die-hard) I'm going for option 2 above for the reasons stated.
Good luck.