Well used, highish mileage Clio 172 Trackcar
Discussion
After a few trackdays in my 350Z, despite being fun, I soon realised it was a bit heavy, expensive and crap to justify carry on using.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/mRXkvz4h[/url]
Shortly after a day at Snetterton, I drove a friend's newly acquired PH1 172 and instantly fell in love with its fizzy engine and willingness to change direction.
2 weeks later, I returned from deepest, darkest Bristol with a well used Monaco Blue 172, with 137k miles, a huge hole in the passenger seat (which I later discovered was due to a detonated airbag) and an interior that would suggest Wolverine was the previous owner.
BUT, it came with a comprehensive service history, mostly from Renault and more importantly a receipt from 2020 for the all important cambelt and dephaser pulley, plus a recon gearbox and new clutch all done at the same time.
Some Nankang NS-2Rs were ordered to replace the well used PS3s that were on there, when it was then discovered to be sat on new looking lowering springs and various polybushes.
With an oil change, a fresh dose of DOT 5.1 and a set of PBS Prorace pads on order, the 1st track day at Donny was booked....
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/mRXkvz4h[/url]Shortly after a day at Snetterton, I drove a friend's newly acquired PH1 172 and instantly fell in love with its fizzy engine and willingness to change direction.
2 weeks later, I returned from deepest, darkest Bristol with a well used Monaco Blue 172, with 137k miles, a huge hole in the passenger seat (which I later discovered was due to a detonated airbag) and an interior that would suggest Wolverine was the previous owner.
BUT, it came with a comprehensive service history, mostly from Renault and more importantly a receipt from 2020 for the all important cambelt and dephaser pulley, plus a recon gearbox and new clutch all done at the same time.
Some Nankang NS-2Rs were ordered to replace the well used PS3s that were on there, when it was then discovered to be sat on new looking lowering springs and various polybushes.
With an oil change, a fresh dose of DOT 5.1 and a set of PBS Prorace pads on order, the 1st track day at Donny was booked....
Said brakepads turned up 45 minutes after our departure to Donny, so a quick double back to collect them ensued and we headed from South Wales, 3-up and a boot full of tools, back towards Donington.
A healthy 39.3 mpg (actual, 42.8 OBC) was achieved and we got there in one piece!
The late arrival of the pads meant an early start to get them fitted in the garage before the sighting laps.
I joined the back of the queue in an attempt to bed them in, but a cold, greasy surface meant I was only testing the effectiveness of the ABS. But pedal feel was noticeably improved.
The day began and I decided to leave the 1st lot go out and dry off the track for half an hour. Then my steep learning curve began. New car, new track and 1st ever wet trackday.
After a few cautious laps and a sideways moment though turn 1, my confidence grew and started to push harder.
The racing line had pretty much dried out by late morning, with turn 1 and the final chicane being the only slippy areas.
Heavens opened at lunchtime and I had to leave early at 2pm, which meant a very slippy half hour at ten tenths to make the most of my time there. But even with the not great wet performance from the NS-2Rs, they were at least consistently poor, which meant no nasty surprises.
The car was packed up and drove us home to South Wales without no more than adding a few drops oil.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/pHfMqRcD[/url]
A healthy 39.3 mpg (actual, 42.8 OBC) was achieved and we got there in one piece!
The late arrival of the pads meant an early start to get them fitted in the garage before the sighting laps.
I joined the back of the queue in an attempt to bed them in, but a cold, greasy surface meant I was only testing the effectiveness of the ABS. But pedal feel was noticeably improved.
The day began and I decided to leave the 1st lot go out and dry off the track for half an hour. Then my steep learning curve began. New car, new track and 1st ever wet trackday.
After a few cautious laps and a sideways moment though turn 1, my confidence grew and started to push harder.
The racing line had pretty much dried out by late morning, with turn 1 and the final chicane being the only slippy areas.
Heavens opened at lunchtime and I had to leave early at 2pm, which meant a very slippy half hour at ten tenths to make the most of my time there. But even with the not great wet performance from the NS-2Rs, they were at least consistently poor, which meant no nasty surprises.
The car was packed up and drove us home to South Wales without no more than adding a few drops oil.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/pHfMqRcD[/url]With the Donny day being a success, a day at Oulton Park was booked.
A quick once over confirmed that nothing needed doing to the Clio in preparation. Unlike the 350Z, which always needed something expensive replacing/fitting after every trackday.
The trip to Oulton was made, again nearing 40MPG, with passenger and enough tools to make a Snap-On dealer blush.
Dry conditions this time and a chance to properly test the brakes and tyres.
Tyres, whilst not having mind bending levels of grip, do have quite stiff sidewalls compared to most road tyres and we're a welcome change to the soft walled tyres I used on my Z the last time here.
Which meant I was far more confident in threading together consecutive corners at speed, where I was backing off in the Nissan for fear of upsetting the balance.
Brakes I was really impressed with, really hard bite which lasted until about 7 hot laps in, when they just started to fade a little bit.
But a cool down lap, 15 minutes stop in the paddock and they were as good as new again in the next session.
Again, it took a whole day of abuse (on 140k at this point) and just loved it. I unpacked my tools at the start of the day and didn't touch them again until they were loaded back in the boot to go home.
Upon comparing GoPro footage of both cars, it would seem I was lapping Oulton 7 seconds quicker in the Clio than the 350Z!
I'm back there the end of the month, but with slightly less interior this time.
A quick once over confirmed that nothing needed doing to the Clio in preparation. Unlike the 350Z, which always needed something expensive replacing/fitting after every trackday.
The trip to Oulton was made, again nearing 40MPG, with passenger and enough tools to make a Snap-On dealer blush.
Dry conditions this time and a chance to properly test the brakes and tyres.
Tyres, whilst not having mind bending levels of grip, do have quite stiff sidewalls compared to most road tyres and we're a welcome change to the soft walled tyres I used on my Z the last time here.
Which meant I was far more confident in threading together consecutive corners at speed, where I was backing off in the Nissan for fear of upsetting the balance.
Brakes I was really impressed with, really hard bite which lasted until about 7 hot laps in, when they just started to fade a little bit.
But a cool down lap, 15 minutes stop in the paddock and they were as good as new again in the next session.
Again, it took a whole day of abuse (on 140k at this point) and just loved it. I unpacked my tools at the start of the day and didn't touch them again until they were loaded back in the boot to go home.
Upon comparing GoPro footage of both cars, it would seem I was lapping Oulton 7 seconds quicker in the Clio than the 350Z!
I'm back there the end of the month, but with slightly less interior this time.
Good read.
I’ve never driven a clio, good feel on track?
I’ve taken my 355 on track once, whilst I had a good time I will not be taking it back to one, couldn’t go full chat as I was pulled for breaking the noise limit, and there was a near miss with someone behind completely missing his braking.
Ive been looking for something fun I can use as a track toy
I’ve never driven a clio, good feel on track?
I’ve taken my 355 on track once, whilst I had a good time I will not be taking it back to one, couldn’t go full chat as I was pulled for breaking the noise limit, and there was a near miss with someone behind completely missing his braking.
Ive been looking for something fun I can use as a track toy
355spider said:
Good read.
I’ve never driven a clio, good feel on track?
I’ve taken my 355 on track once, whilst I had a good time I will not be taking it back to one, couldn’t go full chat as I was pulled for breaking the noise limit, and there was a near miss with someone behind completely missing his braking.
Ive been looking for something fun I can use as a track toy
Thanks!I’ve never driven a clio, good feel on track?
I’ve taken my 355 on track once, whilst I had a good time I will not be taking it back to one, couldn’t go full chat as I was pulled for breaking the noise limit, and there was a near miss with someone behind completely missing his braking.
Ive been looking for something fun I can use as a track toy
I don't have a huge deal to compare it to, as mentioned the 350Z was a wallowy GT car in full road trim, so not a great benchmark. But I'm really pleased with how it feels and performed. The main criticism is the driving position is a bit odd, but you soon get used to having your arms outstretched to change in to odd numbered gears!
A friend of mine has a much more track focussed 182 and that feels so much raw and is much quicker.
But for the money, I think you'd struggle to find something as fun and capable. An MX5 is the obvious alternative and one I really considered. But having owned a Mk1 before, I wanted something a little quicker and not as 'soft'.
The biggest draw for me was running costs though. Parts for the Z were very expensive and needed frequently. Clio parts for the most part are dirt cheap, to the point I was suspicious about them being a scam.
The availability of 2nd hand spares is incredible too, if the worse was to happen and I had an off, I can probably rebuild the entire front end for less than £100 with the prices I've seen on FB groups.
Nice blue 172! I've got a tatty, rattling high mileage 172 that gets an occasional track session. They are just really good fun to chuck around, even on standard suspension. Although I have found that on some of the faster tracks (Snetterton and Bedford) the lack of outright power is annoying. It can be frustrating to be stuck behind someone though all the bends only see them disappear on the straights.
I've also found them to be relatively easy on tyres and brakes due to the light weight (and the fact I'm not that fast).
The steering position is odd. I helped mine by swapping the steering wheel for one from a 197. It's deeper dished so the driving position feels more natural. I now just need to either move the gearstick or lower the seat.
I've also found them to be relatively easy on tyres and brakes due to the light weight (and the fact I'm not that fast).
The steering position is odd. I helped mine by swapping the steering wheel for one from a 197. It's deeper dished so the driving position feels more natural. I now just need to either move the gearstick or lower the seat.
So, I went back to Oulton this weekend. This time with a little less weight than before.
Everything behind the front seats has been removed, can't really say I've noticed the difference in terms of performance, but it's certainly a lot louder and raw feeling as a result.
The trackday was the best one yet, despite numerous red flags in the morning and a leaky rad that stopped play at 3pm. A bottle of K-Seal saved the day and it got me home with zero issue.
^ I'm particularly proud of finally getting a tripod pic!
https://youtu.be/kRmasHpfMyQ
Little vid of me chasing down a 350Z.
I was out as much as possible between red flags, giving the car absolute hell, putting in an estimated 200 miles on track, plus 300 miles travelling there and back. The rad gave up the ghost whilst idling in the garage of all places. That little bit of extra heat must have exposed a weakness.
Hopefully be at Cadwell Park in April, with added bucket seats (my back is in bits from trying to stay upright in OEM seats), brake cooling and a new rad!
Everything behind the front seats has been removed, can't really say I've noticed the difference in terms of performance, but it's certainly a lot louder and raw feeling as a result.
The trackday was the best one yet, despite numerous red flags in the morning and a leaky rad that stopped play at 3pm. A bottle of K-Seal saved the day and it got me home with zero issue.
^ I'm particularly proud of finally getting a tripod pic!
https://youtu.be/kRmasHpfMyQ
Little vid of me chasing down a 350Z.
I was out as much as possible between red flags, giving the car absolute hell, putting in an estimated 200 miles on track, plus 300 miles travelling there and back. The rad gave up the ghost whilst idling in the garage of all places. That little bit of extra heat must have exposed a weakness.
Hopefully be at Cadwell Park in April, with added bucket seats (my back is in bits from trying to stay upright in OEM seats), brake cooling and a new rad!
Paul_M3 said:
The silver one with blue wheels?
Yes, that was me!https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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