Clio V6 Trophy Racer #19

Clio V6 Trophy Racer #19

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Discussion

Ddouble

Original Poster:

81 posts

186 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
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I'm a massive fan of Clio V6s and decided to take to take the plunge and buy one of the original Trophy race cars that were made for a single make series to promote the new clio 2 range.

These cars were made in 1999 pre dating the road car, essentially, they feature similar ingredients, mid mounted 24 valve 3litre v6 with similar appearance, however, in the detail, they are out and out competition cars.

The trophy series raced at top circuits across Europe and attracted top drivers. It ran for 5 years from 1999 to 2003, in 2003, the cars were given a new front end to match the rest of the clio 2 road car range.

They put out 285bhp weighing 1125kgs (with fluids) and have a 6 speed sequential Sadev box.

I found one in France earlier in the year and bought it back to the UK in April.

Its in pretty much the same condition as it was in its last known race in the trophy series in 2001 wearing most of its liver & its battle scars with pride. For an unrestored competition car though, it is in remarkably good condition. The only modification I have made is adding a second seat so I can take passengers out in it.

The race history is currently partially known, but is something im working on, I currently understand it raced in the 1999, 2000 & 2001 series and is currently sat in 2001 series spec.

Chassis 19 was owned by Italian racing team Sitec Motorsport in the 2001 series. It is bearing most of its livery with matching plaque numbers (on both chassis and dash).

The vehicle has been used sparingly on track days in France and well maintained post trophy.

It wears original Cromodora race wheels which are un-refurbished. The car has a series of spare panels, including door, bumper, bonnet and wings.


Clio v6 trophy chassis #19 Race History

Chassis 19 was raced by Andrea Belicchi in the 2001 trophy series as race number #63 for Sitec Motorsport. Belicchi took part in a hand full of races that season andl finished 14th overall.

Andrea Belicchi was one of the front runners in the 1999 series, finishing second overall.

He also won the final series of the Renault Spider trophy, racing for Doors Engineering with same livery the teams clio trophy's wore in the 2000 series.

After racing in the clio trophy, he went on to race in the porsche supercup and then more recently racing LMP1 in the Le mans 24 series.

Belicchi finished 6th at Monza 25th March 2001
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXtN_JS-RaI

Belicchi qualified on pole at Monaco for race 1, but was later disqualified.

I raced at Misano on the 8th of July.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0yw3dWbwtw

Then finished 8th at Magny Cours 29th July, after qualifying in 20th place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nex-9GSQ9Y&fe...

It raced at Assen 12th August, getting a good start, but spun off on the first lap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXsX73r5k0I




The car still bears the #6 but the previous owner peeled the 3s off.

I drove it for the first time this weekend at 'Origine RS' which is an event for Renault Sport and Alpine Cars held at Goodwood. Some pictures of #19 taken on the the day:








and one alongside my red road car:


It’s quite intimidating compared to the road car and I'm under no illusions, that the car is far more capable than I am as a driver. Its quite intuitive to drive though and alot easy to drive fast than the road car. The gearbox is a joy to use on circuit!!
Apart from the shape and engine layout out, pretty much everything else is different. It’s a whole other level in terms of noise and violence! The ultimate expression of the Clio range and the one of the maddest creations to leave the Dieppe factory.

rainmasterb

371 posts

206 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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Great purchase, looks like a lot of fun. Always thought these look so beastly....that is until you see the black Maxi GT turbo behind it on the grid!

dom9

8,040 posts

208 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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Is that you, Dunc?

We need to meet up soon and compare notes!

Trophy car looks cracking by the way!

frayz

2,629 posts

158 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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Massive Clio fan myself, absolutely love that. Uber cool. smile

C7 JFW

1,205 posts

218 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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I'd love a Clio V6 (arguably one of the only French cars I'd ever consider owning) and the fact that there's an even more stupidly aggressive version is music to my ears!!

Couple of questions:
- How far would it need to go to become road legal?
- May I ask approximately how much you paid for it?

These are proper drivers cars and very, very edgy on the limit I've heard - would you agree with that on-limit behaviour?

grenpayne

1,976 posts

161 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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frayz said:
Massive Clio fan myself, absolutely love that. Uber cool. smile
+1. Looks amazing!

Ddouble

Original Poster:

81 posts

186 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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Hi Dom, yes its me and yes we do need to catch up. I will email you.

C7 JFW said:
- How far would it need to go to become road legal?
- May I ask approximately how much you paid for it?

These are proper drivers cars and very, very edgy on the limit I've heard - would you agree with that on-limit behaviour?
There are 6 road legal trophy racers in the UK already, so it is possible, but would need some modifications. At basic level you would need headlights & side repeaters and associated loom, handbrake, horn, speedo, odometer and you would also need to sort out the ID paperwork. I'm not going to do these mods myself as I want to keep it as it was.

They trade hands around the cost of nice ph2 road car - circa 20-25k.

Your quite right, they are drivers cars, very rewarding to drive quickly and take time to learn how they behave. I’ve been driving phase 1 v6s for 8 years and have never understood the comments people constantly make about the handling being terrible.
Having driven both the road and race car on track, I personally wouldn’t call either car edgy, but you do find yourself driving it with respect as you are driving round a car with a lot of weight high up and far back. As such you need to keep your inputs smooth as use the weight shifting around to your advantage. The race car felt more forgiving and predictable than the road car, but both are a hoot to drive.

They are full of character and really get under your skin!

iacabu

1,348 posts

148 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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Nice! Would love a go in a v6 to see how they compare with mine, but this is just ace.

Jitstar

92 posts

167 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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Saw this on track and off it......simply awesome!!!

joe_90

4,206 posts

230 months

Friday 28th August 2015
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So what DB does it chuck out normally without the cans on the back?

And its just fantastic..

Altrezia

8,517 posts

210 months

Friday 28th August 2015
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What a beautiful toy!

Ddouble

Original Poster:

81 posts

186 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all
joe_90 said:
So what DB does it chuck out normally without the cans on the back?

And its just fantastic..
Thanks!
We didn't measure without the cans, but were expecting it to be around 105/6dB.

They measured at 1m from the tailpipes, which I'm not sure is correct for a rear engined car as your measuring gearbox and engine noise too. Anyway, we got 102dB with the cans, then 98dB with another set of cans turned 90 degrees away from each other.

joe_90

4,206 posts

230 months

Friday 28th August 2015
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Ddouble said:
Thanks!
We didn't measure without the cans, but were expecting it to be around 105/6dB.

They measured at 1m from the tailpipes, which I'm not sure is correct for a rear engined car as your measuring gearbox and engine noise too. Anyway, we got 102dB with the cans, then 98dB with another set of cans turned 90 degrees away from each other.
Do you ever go to any combe trackdays, Would love to see it in the metal..

Everything about it just oozes 'fk you to convention', an most excellent choice, even if its not always the fastest thing on the track, its presence will be the biggest for sure.


Edited by joe_90 on Friday 28th August 13:07

Ddouble

Original Poster:

81 posts

186 months

Saturday 29th August 2015
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Your so right mate!

I have done a track day at Combe, but not in the V6 yet. Hoping to be able to take it to a few more days so will keep it in mind.

Ddouble

Original Poster:

81 posts

186 months

Monday 7th September 2015
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I have uploaded a short video me learning to drive it. Its only my 5th or so lap on the 1st day of driving, so I'm not going quickly at all, but gives a good idea of what the experience is like in the drivers seat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9EA2G5BvNM

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 8th September 2015
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That is outrageous! Awesome.

dom9

8,040 posts

208 months

Tuesday 8th September 2015
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Check your email, Dunc!

cruickster

1 posts

49 months

Tuesday 4th February 2020
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Hi Ddouble, I realise this is an old post, so apologies in advance. I'm interested in your car as I have one from the same team. I am just in the process of getting a passenger seat in and new harnesses/belts and the switchgear moved as it sits currently where the passenger seat is. The exterior is currently wrapped but I will remove this and get it resprayed to fix up some fading paint.
I'd love to understand a bit more about decals and whether it came like that or your replicated them. Mine is car #135.