Tuesday 16th August 2016

Renault Clio 182 Trophy: PH Fleet

Ben's done driving tours and he's done track days, so now it's time for some competition!

---

1,500 more miles and a stack more smiles since my last update, the Clio continues to thrill and surprise in equal measure. I've done 10,000 miles now in KN55 HWX and, for a 10-year-old French hot hatch, it's been very reliable - I've had nothing more go wrong than a set of HT leads and a failed rear damper. Given all the issues I've had owning VW group cars, it has made me question the poor reliability stigma attached to French cars. Perhaps I've just been lucky.

Some joke about sparkling performance

Content with my mechanical modifications but still keen to tinker, I fitted a set of Forge silicone coolant hoses to brighten up the engine bay. Perhaps a more significant treat was the addition of a set of track wheels in the shape of 15-inch Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2s, wrapped in super sticky Avon ZZRs. Having previously worked at Caterham and driven thousands of miles on Avons during my time there, they seemed the natural choice. The ZZRs are used on the ballistic 310hp Seven 620 R, but how would they fare on a car that weighs twice as much and has considerably less power? My worry was that with too much grip, the car wouldn't be playful and lose its fun edge.

Three track days in, I'm yet to find the limit on these tyres. Perhaps I'm not pushing hard enough, but they're wearing extremely well, taking 2mm of tread off so far. They complement the suspension set up extremely well, and are easily the most noticeable change on track, spurring you on to push harder and harder each lap. Money far better spent than on an exhaust system or fancy seats.

Sprint time!

Thanks to PHer Rob Gosling, I also signed up to a couple of events in the Javelin Trackdays Sprint Series this year, following his recommendation back inJanuary. This was to be my first taste of competitive motorsport, and I was more nervous in anticipation of the first event at Blyton Park than any date or job interview I've ever had. The spare pants were packed!

Signed up to compete against the clock, at a circuit I've never driven and with a bunch of people I've never met, it's fair to say I was rather nervous. Not that I needed to be, as I don't think I've met a friendlier bunch of people! Everyone I spoke to was more than willing to help with any issues or advice needed on scrutineering and how the event would operate. With my modifications I raced group D3, a road car class for 1,600-2,000cc naturally aspirated cars with limited modifications permitted. Alongside a couple of other Clios, an Elise, an S2000 and a Civic Type R, the competition looked tough.

Still on four wheels? Must try harder!

My first run was a bit of blur trying to focus on remembering the corners, which gear to be in and where to brake. Luckily it was just a practice run, ahead of the eight timed runs that were to follow. By the fourth run, I'd managed to move up into second place, which seemed unfathomable. The Clio 200 holding first had a huge lead of over two seconds; to put that into perspective, there was just over one second between me and eighth place. I did everything to try and shave time off my lap; braking later, adjusting damping rates and tyre pressures, but I had no more talent in the bank and just couldn't go any faster.

Still, I was elated to finish in second place at my first competitive outing. My next sprint in the series is at Snetterton in October, with the aim to take on the full championship next year. But how to go faster? How to close in on that 200? Buy a new car, obviously. But more on that next time!

Watch the video here

 

---

FACT SHEET
Car: 2005 Renault Clio 182 Trophy
Run by: Ben Lowden
On fleet since: April 2015
Mileage: 86,039
Purchase price: £4,250
Last month at a glance: Ben goes racing in the Trophy, comes back with a trophy - result!

Previous reports:
Cheerio diesel Skoda, hello limited edition Renault hero!
Spa day the Renaultsport way
Induction and exhaust tweaks for the Trophy
Trophy shines after time with detailers
Brace yourself Ben; time for the damper rebuild...
Welsh weekender Clio Trophy style

[Track shots: Darren O'Brien]

[Frimley111R]

Sounds great! Is that mostly down to the induction?

[BenLowden]

Thanks! And yes, purely induction noise. It really makes a difference locating the filter behind the headlight, to both the noise and performance. Well, it feels like it pulls harder at the top end, but it could all be the placebo affect from the noise. Either way I wouldn't have a Clio without it!

[stuart_83]

Definitely not just good luck ... reliability wise I've owned 3 RS Clios (2 x 172s and a Recaro'd 182 with both cup packs) and all were incredibly reliable.

Must've racked up about 40k miles between them, and only ever had an alternator and an exhaust go.

Fantastic little cars, I'll probably end up with another as a second car in a few years

[BenLowden]

That's good to hear! I'm now onto my second RS Clio, and I'm struggling to see how I'd not have one in my life, so I'm sure you'll be back.

And thank you for making your first post on one of my articles too!

[stuart_83]

BenLowden said:

That's good to hear! I'm now onto my second RS Clio, and I'm struggling to see how I'd not have one in my life, so I'm sure you'll be back.

And thank you for making your first post on one of my articles too!

No probs - I've been following your posts on the Trophy for a while, very nearly bought one for an absolute bargain back in 2007 after my first 172, but ended up going for a MK2 Leon FR new instead. What a mistake! Still have a LOT of love for anything RenaultSport - I'm really tempted by a Megane RS 265/275 in the new year, but its hard to justify with the mileage I do.

Thought I'd share a few pics of my last 182 - it was pretty mint tbh, had a lovely sounding Scorpion RS192 exhaust and of course it had the all important Recaros fitted from the factory. Quite rare apparently! Still tempted to get one as a second car, as like the Golf R32 there's just never going to be any over-engined naturally aspirated hot hatches again.

Such a shame.

[BenLowden]

I really can't see 172/182 FF and Cup prices dropping any lower now other than for high mileage cars, they're such a bargain for what they are. If I wasn't buying one for competitive use, I'd go for a Racing Blue 182 Cup for the comfort of A/C. If anything they're already starting to creep up since I bought my Trophy, just not to the same extent as the T.

I've just bought a Mini GP2 as my daily to have some fun with, but realistically only as a stop gap while I'm waiting for 265/275 prices to drop a bit more. Considering I never would have looked at anything Renaultsport flavoured before I started at PH, it's fair to say I'm 100% converted! Keep me posted on your progress. Your 182 looked great too! Just a shame the Recaros were useless on track, no support whatsoever.

[MRobbins1987]

I've not had my 182 cup for long but it's really got under my skin, would have loved a trophy but there were none for sale when I went looking. Yours looks a lovely example, I've got one or two plans for mine to bring it back up to standard's then a few track days will be getting booked.

[BenLowden]

MRobbins1987 said:

I've not had my 182 cup for long but it's really got under my skin, would have loved a trophy but there were none for sale when I went looking. Yours looks a lovely example, I've got one or two plans for mine to bring it back up to standard's then a few track days will be getting booked.

That's the dream right there, looks great! To be honest, unless you're buying a Trophy to pamper and keep in original condition I don't think it's worth the premium now over a 182 Cup. If you're wanting a 182 for track use, buy a Cup and spend £300 on a pair of Corbeau Club Sport seats, £800 on fully adjustable BC Racing coilovers and you'll still have money left over to spend on track days. Winning!

[MRobbins1987]

BenLowden said:

MRobbins1987 said:

I've not had my 182 cup for long but it's really got under my skin, would have loved a trophy but there were none for sale when I went looking. Yours looks a lovely example, I've got one or two plans for mine to bring it back up to standard's then a few track days will be getting booked.

That's the dream right there, looks great! To be honest, unless you're buying a Trophy to pamper and keep in original condition I don't think it's worth the premium now over a 182 Cup. If you're wanting a 182 for track use, buy a Cup and spend £300 on a pair of Corbeau Club Sport seats, £800 on fully adjustable BC Racing coilovers and you'll still have money left over to spend on track days. Winning!

That's the plan Ben, I've got some 172 cup turini's with ad08r's to collect at the weekend so it's moving in the right direction. I will be getting some better pad's, braided line's, get it checked over then start booking some track days for next year. Oulton Park is on my doorstep so will no doubt be my first outing unless my mate can convince me to go to Silverstone with him this October.

To be honest coming from a 335i I felt the Clio would leave me underwhelmed but it's been joyous to get back to basics in a car that requires driver input to get the best from it, everything in the BMW was too easy and to get a similar experience you had to be travelling at speeds that I wouldn't be comfortable with on the road. I've got a camping trip with my son over the next couple of day's in North Wales, im rather looking forward to taking the Clio over some of the better roads in the area, even if it will be at lukewarm pace due to having my kid on board. A good chance to take in the scenery and put the dslr into use.

[BenLowden]

MRobbins1987 said:

That's the plan Ben, I've got some 172 cup turini's with ad08r's to collect at the weekend so it's moving in the right direction. I will be getting some better pad's, braided line's, get it checked over then start booking some track days for next year. Oulton Park is on my doorstep so will no doubt be my first outing unless my mate can convince me to go to Silverstone with him this October.

To be honest coming from a 335i I felt the Clio would leave me underwhelmed but it's been joyous to get back to basics in a car that requires driver input to get the best from it, everything in the BMW was too easy and to get a similar experience you had to be travelling at speeds that I wouldn't be comfortable with on the road. I've got a camping trip with my son over the next couple of day's in North Wales, im rather looking forward to taking the Clio over some of the better roads in the area, even if it will be at lukewarm pace due to having my kid on board. A good chance to take in the scenery and put the dslr into use.

Excellent, and if you're talking about our Sunday Service on the 23rd of October at Silverstone, then you should definitely bring it along! We'll be running 30 minute sessions, so it'll be a good taster for you. I run DS2500 pads and would thoroughly recommend them, great for a mix of road and track use.

Depending on where you're heading in North Wales, I thoroughly recommend the B4391 from Fron-goch to Ffestiniog. It's my favourite drive in that area and is brilliant fun in the Clio!

[MRobbins1987]

BenLowden said:

Excellent, and if you're talking about our Sunday Service on the 23rd of October at Silverstone, then you should definitely bring it along! We'll be running 30 minute sessions, so it'll be a good taster for you. I run DS2500 pads and would thoroughly recommend them, great for a mix of road and track use.

Depending on where you're heading in North Wales, I thoroughly recommend the B4391 from Fron-goch to Ffestiniog. It's my favourite drive in that area and is brilliant fun in the Clio!

I think he was on about an earier date, the 13th springs to mind, I will have a chat to him about the Sunday Service, it might suit him better, any idea on cost for the 30 minute sessions?

We had a great time in Wales, the weather was lovely throughout and we covered a little over 500 miles in total, the B4391 was fantastic as usual and we also did the triangle amongst others. The Clio was superb, it's really well suited to a British B road and surprisingly comfortable at the same time. Here's a few photographs from the trip.

[BenLowden]

MRobbins1987 said:

I think he was on about an earier date, the 13th springs to mind, I will have a chat to him about the Sunday Service, it might suit him better, any idea on cost for the 30 minute sessions?

Some more great shots there, looks like you had decent weather too! Ball park price is £40 for 30 mins (normally National circuit), but that'll be confirmed when the calendar goes live on the 3rd of October. Full list of events can be found here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...