Time between 1st and 2nd track car

[Z4MCSL]

So ive done about 5 trackdays so far (ever) and have 3 more booked for my little clio 182


Ive just bought some new OZ Ultralegerras, a steering wheel and various other bits and am talking to mark fisher about a cage


But I keep having this desire to get a 197 or a 200 - ideally Liquid Yellow as I have heard that makes you faster on track, as well as with an R26 engine conversion.

But is that mad to switch track car so early. Now I feel like I need to work this out before investing in a cage

Or even half tempted to have 2 track cars?!

[Z4MCSL]

thanks for the replies

For context if I go from 182 to 197 ill be getting a 197 with the 2.0T from the R26 installed so that goes form 182hp to at least 230/240hp but easily beyond 300hp with injectors, intercooler map etc.

The 197 is a lot heavier, 1240 stock vs 1090 for the 182, my 182 is currently very stripped down and less than a ton so good power to weight, certainly better than a stock 197. But with the engine conversion in the 197 that negates that point.

I also have heard a few things about the significant increase in rigidity of the roof in a 197 such that I have been told the decision whether or not to get a cage is a more difficult one with a 197 whereas with a 182 you really should get one if you are going to start tracking it a lot - I don't know if that is accurate but it was Mark Fish Motorsport who mentioned this to me and from what I have read they seem to know their stuff

Also I'm very childish and I like the idea of having a 270hp+ clio on the motorway.

[Z4MCSL]

Morning all,

So the conclusion I've come to for now is to stick with the 182.

I was meant to do my first day at Bedford yesterday but sadly had to cancel. However I did a few bits on the car in preparation and realised I still love the little blighter.

I still have cage and harnesses to go in and need to fit a new steering wheel and do the door cards

After that I'm thinking I might play around with the engine but probably not a turbo and then I'm probably done with it. Will book as many track days as possible and just focus on getting better at driving the thing!

I'm thinking of possibly swapping my daily for a mk3 megane (cup s or trophy) and then I may take that on a track day to see how it feels.

I've also got a drift taster day coming up next Sunday so I'll probably Completely change my mind after that and decide to buy an s14 or repurpose my z4

The other conclusion I've come to is that there just is no solution to this problem. I will never stop thinking about other cars, I will inevitably spend about an hour a day surfing ebay, pistonheads and autotrader looking at used cars and simultaneously speccing up new Yaris GRs and Cayman GTSs on the configurators but then keep deciding I really don't need a new car.

Such is life