Newbie wanting to do some track days
Discussion
Hi all
I am looking at buying a car and doing some track days in my spare time . Been told a clio 172 or 182 are a perfect starter car as its cheap and it can sit on the drive during the week . i wont be using it for anything else so it doesnt have to be road legal.
2 questions really
1 is it a good car out of the box or would it need modding for the track
2 what is needed ( by law or track ) so i can ring its neck on their tracks
Thanks in advance
Oh also whats a dephazer . I will be giving whatever car i buy a full servics so is it needed at that time
I am looking at buying a car and doing some track days in my spare time . Been told a clio 172 or 182 are a perfect starter car as its cheap and it can sit on the drive during the week . i wont be using it for anything else so it doesnt have to be road legal.
2 questions really
1 is it a good car out of the box or would it need modding for the track
2 what is needed ( by law or track ) so i can ring its neck on their tracks
Thanks in advance
Oh also whats a dephazer . I will be giving whatever car i buy a full servics so is it needed at that time
Presume you, re towing it to tracks? Otherwise it will need tax and insurance, even if it only drives to and from tracks.
Bare essentials are some decent brake pads and fluid, and some decent tyres. I'd imagine a Clio will be on 15 or 16 inch wheels, so decent tyres will be dirt cheap!
Bare essentials are some decent brake pads and fluid, and some decent tyres. I'd imagine a Clio will be on 15 or 16 inch wheels, so decent tyres will be dirt cheap!
Tommygun101 said:
Aw great . Will probably swop the pads for a better quality set and new fluid . How about strut bracing or is the car solid as it is .
Don't worry about it. A long time before you get to the limits of the car you will get to the limits of the driver. Invest in that first, and get some tuition. 
I'm biased but I think they're incredible value for money at the moment.
If it's FWD you want I wouldn't look any further. Once you do hit the limits of the car they are also very cheap to modify to improve the handling further. Cheap to keep on the road too, tons of parts available from ones which are being broken for spares.
Most importantly they're just huge fun.
If it's FWD you want I wouldn't look any further. Once you do hit the limits of the car they are also very cheap to modify to improve the handling further. Cheap to keep on the road too, tons of parts available from ones which are being broken for spares.
Most importantly they're just huge fun.
Always liked the clio 182 so think that will be my first track car . I used to have a mr2 roadster which is a lot like the elise / exige and it was a great laugh ( even though the hairdresser remarks were all over ) . Are mr2 s a good track car with a bit of modding i know the power is only about 140 bhp but it handled great
Thanks for your replys lads . Does anyone go to croft or teeside i could come and talk to about it and watch
Thanks for your replys lads . Does anyone go to croft or teeside i could come and talk to about it and watch
Always liked the clio 182 so think that will be my first track car . I used to have a mr2 roadster which is a lot like the elise / exige and it was a great laugh ( even though the hairdresser remarks were all over ) . Are mr2 s a good track car with a bit of modding i know the power is only about 140 bhp but it handled great
Thanks for your replys lads . Does anyone go to croft or teeside i could come and talk to about it and watch
Thanks for your replys lads . Does anyone go to croft or teeside i could come and talk to about it and watch
IMHO, given your situation and towing to track. Why not start off with a Clio race car, lots for sale. But they will have a cage already fitted plus many of the options you might want later. If you would like a standard motor to start with for reliability, there are plenty around.
I modified mine over and over again until I had a cage and everything. In hindsight, I would have bought a good race car and moved it back slightly, rather than a road car and move it forward. It will probably save loads of money in the long run.
Hope that helps.
I modified mine over and over again until I had a cage and everything. In hindsight, I would have bought a good race car and moved it back slightly, rather than a road car and move it forward. It will probably save loads of money in the long run.
Hope that helps.
^^^ that is excellent advice. Just depends what you want.
For me doing the upgrades and feeling the improvement in the car each time you change something is all part of the fun. Not the cheapest way by a long shot though. I don't think I'd take mine very much further than it is, the second I start to look at boosting power/caging it then I'll part this one out and buy something ready-upgraded.
For me doing the upgrades and feeling the improvement in the car each time you change something is all part of the fun. Not the cheapest way by a long shot though. I don't think I'd take mine very much further than it is, the second I start to look at boosting power/caging it then I'll part this one out and buy something ready-upgraded.
182cup = Perfect starter car.
But, if you have compromise on your main car because it now has to tow the clio, it lessens the package benefit. I don't know your personal situation, but trailers with cars on top take up a lot more room than a car alone and brand ones are highly nickable.
As said by someone previously. A full Geo realignment will always give benefits.
But, if you have compromise on your main car because it now has to tow the clio, it lessens the package benefit. I don't know your personal situation, but trailers with cars on top take up a lot more room than a car alone and brand ones are highly nickable.
As said by someone previously. A full Geo realignment will always give benefits.
Thanks for the reply lads .
I can keep the car at my uncles garagd ( mot garage he keeps his sports cars in the old machine shed ) also he has a few trailers to chose from.
Think i fancy doing it up and seeing the difference little mods take .
Aquick question on towing . I passed my test in 2001 sodont have a trailer licence will i need one to tow a car . I can tow a trailer with bikes on and have done for years
Full geo as wheel ofsets or camber
Thanks in advance
I can keep the car at my uncles garagd ( mot garage he keeps his sports cars in the old machine shed ) also he has a few trailers to chose from.
Think i fancy doing it up and seeing the difference little mods take .
Aquick question on towing . I passed my test in 2001 sodont have a trailer licence will i need one to tow a car . I can tow a trailer with bikes on and have done for years
Full geo as wheel ofsets or camber
Thanks in advance
i passed my test in 2007 and i looked into towing/trailoring my civic track car at the time and i was told by a few sources that id have to take another test.
also somthing else to remember is if you are towing a car on a straight bar or dolly (or any method that wheels are touching the road) the towed car has to have tax (and possibly insurance but im unsure on that)
just thought id add that for anyone reading lol
also somthing else to remember is if you are towing a car on a straight bar or dolly (or any method that wheels are touching the road) the towed car has to have tax (and possibly insurance but im unsure on that)
just thought id add that for anyone reading lol
Grab a 172 for about a grand, strip (the car, not yourself!), chuck in a seat (or leave the existing one if you're on a real tight budget.
Add DS2500 pads and a decent set of discs, racing brake fluid and hold onto your pants!
Mine is pretty much standard apart from seats, brakes and recently slick tyres, very little beats it round Lydden Hill.
I started off a few years ago with a saxo VTR and despite what some say, they are a great car to learn in and being nimble around a corner surprise quite a few 'more experienced' track dayers, who think a fast car makes them fast!
Or if you're feeling brave a Z3 2.8, lots of power, no grip, loads of fun!
Just don't do this on your first go!
Add DS2500 pads and a decent set of discs, racing brake fluid and hold onto your pants!
Mine is pretty much standard apart from seats, brakes and recently slick tyres, very little beats it round Lydden Hill.
I started off a few years ago with a saxo VTR and despite what some say, they are a great car to learn in and being nimble around a corner surprise quite a few 'more experienced' track dayers, who think a fast car makes them fast!
Or if you're feeling brave a Z3 2.8, lots of power, no grip, loads of fun!
Just don't do this on your first go!
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