Clio 200 Cup Track Car

[AndyBrew]

I thought I would create a thread regarding my track car project telling the story as I go, hopefully over the next six weeks or so you'll see the car develop and finally be unveiled ready for this summers track season

So where to start, well I have had some very nice cars over the last few years but a couple of months ago I realised that my track day outings had decreased to zero due to owning cars I basically didn't want to bin or thrash for hours incurring the stratospheric running costs associated with most exotic metal.

So after considering an array of different cars I decided that I didn't have a desire to be the fastest thing on track but would prefer to concentrate on my own personal level of skill and learn to get the absolute maximum out of something that handles and stops well but with a very modest power output.

So my initial plan was to buy a Renault Clio Cup Car direct from Renault £34K seemed quite an attractive proposition until I realised that the car couldn't be driven on the road and I had no means of trailoring it as my daily drive which is leased is not type approved for towing, damn it plan foiled!!

Undeterred I started to look at Clio race cars at which point I noticed the Clio Cup Road Series championship which I thought would be kind of cool to participate in so why not build a car that short term could be driven on the road to and from track days as required and if everything works out enter into the Clio Cup Road Series next year

So first stage was to buy a Renault Clio 200 Cup which I did a few weeks ago and here she is



Only 22,000 miles so a good solid base start with, I then contacted Jade Developments and went to see Sean and had a good chat with him regarding my plans, he was open and frank with me about what was sensible and what wasn't and we agreed to progress onto building a Clio track car that would conform to the Clio Cup Road Series specification with a few minor tweaks here and there if I so desired

So since then I have purchased the following: -

Akrapovic Exhaust
VBox Video System
A spare gearbox (the Clio's weak point)
A cup rear spoiler
Mark Fish Motorsport roll cage

and the car has now lost a few creature comforts in its preparation for being painted inside and having the roll cage fitted hopefully at the end of this week...



I will post updates as and when over the next weeks, I hope some of you find it of interest

[AndyBrew]

Quick update..

Removing all of the sound deadening stuff is proving to be a right royal pain in the bum but we are about 90% of the way there so hopefully next week the cage should be fitted!

[AndyBrew]

Ok some progress today, the back half of the roll cage is in, obviously it's all going to be painted and made to look presentable, this stage is just to ensure that it all fits straight in once everything has been painted.

Not sure on the total weight removed, however when I asked the question the reality was that any weight saved is pretty much balanced out with the addition of the cage.

[AndyBrew]

Tree200 said:

Very nice mate! Nice list of options and in good hands at Jade developments. I know Jake Honour is doing well with them!
Look forward to its progress!

Jakes doing really well he's racing this weekend I believe, a talented young man, I'm hoping to get out on track with him once the Clio's done and learn how to drive the bloody thing!

[AndyBrew]

Slagathore said:

Are there any engine restrictions for that race series? Or plans for the engine?

No engine mods are allowed, the engines are sealed and inspected at each race meeting, the ECU's are all put into a pile and you have to draw lots to ensure that they are all the same!

For me this project is all about having a properly sorted car from a handling, stopping perspective and then it's down to me to learn how to drive the bloody thing and get the most out of it.

I'll guarantee the weak link with this car will be me, hopefully I can slowly strengthen that link and next year I'll be racing in the Michelin Road Series as that would be a great bucket list item ticked off!!

All my other bits are being organised this weekend via Renaultsport as the chap is at Oulton Park so I'll update the parts list next week

[AndyBrew]

Right this is not going to be riveting stuff but some good progress has been made, the whole front dashboard has now been removed along with all of the sound deadening gunk, wiring loom left to come out and then she is finally ready for painting!!

Amazing how much room there is in a Clio when everything is out it feels cavernous!!!



I have a long list of parts £7K+ worth that should be collected from Renault in France towards the end of next week and then progress will start to accelerate

Off to watch Jake Honour this weekend at Donington Park being supported by Sean from Jade Developments to wet my appetite

[AndyBrew]

melvster said:

Nice progress so far..... you're not mucking about

What colour are you painting the car ?

Gun metal grey on the inside, white on the outside, red wing mirrors, roof scoop and cup spoiler, keeping the wheels black as they are easier to maintain

[AndyBrew]

CEmm said:

What Renault parts are you picking up for 7k?!

Another car?

Haha upon arrival I will divulge all

[AndyBrew]

Slagathore said:

What are the plans for the brakes? The Brembos on my 197 felt amazing, never tracked it, so don't know what they were like with brake fade or pedal travel, but I'd imagine with a bit of weight off and proper race fluid, the standard stuff with a change of pads are good enough for racing?

You are exactly right, the standard setup is superb to be honest but I will be upgrading the pads/fluid etc. I will report back with exact setup once finalised.

[AndyBrew]

Can't believe how long this has taken but starting to get the parts through from RenaultSport at last! These parts are not the cheapest but are of a lovely quality and everything comes supplied with every single nut, bearing, washer, clip you need to bolt it straight into the Clio shell













Just awaiting the seats and few other bits and bobs

Lots of preparation work has been done on the car, stuff that goes way over my head but the top mounts have been fabricated and are now in place, all the glass is now out and the car is definitely currently at it's lightest ever!!



Still waiting for the car to go into the bodyshop but that should be imminent and I am now hoping that things will start being put back together shortly!

[AndyBrew]

Trtj said:

I recognise your driveway from numerous m3 ads

That's not my driveway, that's the picture of the car off the Autotrader before I bought it, so not guilty your honor