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Return of the Storm Grey 172 track car



Latest update:

Removed the old front brakes, and while I was at it gave the hubs a wire brushing and coat of Hammerite as they were looking a little worse for wear.



Fitted the new front discs, DS1.11 pads and refurbed the callipers.


Gave the brake system a bleed with some fresh RBF600


Fitted the new OE rad and silicon hose kit, due to the old rad dying on me



Sourced some rubber feet for the rad as I didn't have any previously


Hoses





Managed to get everything sorted in time for a day at Oulton Park. Was there with a couple of mates, one in an Evo 8 FQ340 MR and the other in an RB 182.











Was a mega day, the coilovers and more aggressive camber have transformed the car. Quickest lap of the day was a 2:05 which I was chuffed with, which is a massive improvement over the old setup.
 

partybish

ClioSport Club Member
Awesome write up, I really like how you took what was already a unique car and built upon it, the spec is impressive, what do you have planned next?
 

robzracing

ClioSport Club Member
Looks great! Was that a 2.05 around the full Oulton circuit? That's extremely good if it is. The only Clios in my race series doing those times are very lightweight and running cams and ITBs at least! If it is you need to come racing!
 
Now that does look good mate!!!
Thanks a lot mate

Awesome write up, I really like how you took what was already a unique car and built upon it, the spec is impressive, what do you have planned next?

Cheers pal, yeah Im really happy with how its coming along now, getting more towards where I'd like it to be.
Next plans spec-wise are to move onto full slicks now Ive running aggressive camber and suspension that will actually make the most of them, and then after that Id like to get the gearbox removed, refurbished, and a gripper limited slip diff fitted, along with a megane 5th gear.

Short term I need to sort out a few niggles, there's a knock coming from the back which I thought was the suspension/rear beam, however everything is tight. Under more investigation I think its actually exhaust related, think there's some play in the mounting bush.

Ive also got an issue with the front wheels catching under the arches now its so low, so I plan to ditch/trim the bumper brackets.

Im sure there will be other issues that come up along the way, it is French after all!

Looks great! Was that a 2.05 around the full Oulton circuit? That's extremely good if it is. The only Clios in my race series doing those times are very lightweight and running cams and ITBs at least! If it is you need to come racing!

Yes mate, that was the full circuit. I was happy with that time, Im confident I can take a bit off that once Ive sorted this arch rubbing issue as it was very off putting. With slicks and a diff Id like to go quicker again!

Would love to go racing but its just the £££!
Screenshot_20180308-094814.jpg
Screenshot_20180308-101851.png
 

robzracing

ClioSport Club Member
Thanks a lot mate



Cheers pal, yeah Im really happy with how its coming along now, getting more towards where I'd like it to be.
Next plans spec-wise are to move onto full slicks now Ive running aggressive camber and suspension that will actually make the most of them, and then after that Id like to get the gearbox removed, refurbished, and a gripper limited slip diff fitted, along with a megane 5th gear.

Short term I need to sort out a few niggles, there's a knock coming from the back which I thought was the suspension/rear beam, however everything is tight. Under more investigation I think its actually exhaust related, think there's some play in the mounting bush.

Ive also got an issue with the front wheels catching under the arches now its so low, so I plan to ditch/trim the bumper brackets.

Im sure there will be other issues that come up along the way, it is French after all!



Yes mate, that was the full circuit. I was happy with that time, Im confident I can take a bit off that once Ive sorted this arch rubbing issue as it was very off putting. With slicks and a diff Id like to go quicker again!

Would love to go racing but its just the £££!
View attachment 1359492 View attachment 1359493
Very good. I've only been to Oulton once (not racing) and my best time was a 2.08 so it's interesting to compare the telemetry. You're just a couple of mph faster in most areas which makes all the difference. It looks like you know the circuit too!
 

Greeny.

ClioSport Club Member
  440i + 182
I love this, still looks to clean from the outside for a track car though :tongueout:

What tyres are you on at present? I was thinking about going slicks but decided to go DZ03G R1s for the dry and use my current old RSR for damp/wet, looking forward to trying them this summer.
 
I love this, still looks to clean from the outside for a track car though :tongueout:

What tyres are you on at present? I was thinking about going slicks but decided to go DZ03G R1s for the dry and use my current old RSR for damp/wet, looking forward to trying them this summer.

Thanks! Yeah it is in very good condition, I like to keep my things in good nick so trying to look after it.

Currently Im running A048s in the dry, Medium compound front, Soft on the rear. And then my wet setup is Toyo R1Rs which Im yet to use, however I have been told they are a very good wet tyre.
 

Greeny.

ClioSport Club Member
  440i + 182
I like to take care of mine as well, however being stored in a garage the odd mark does appear from time to time!

I Assume you made your headlight intake yourself? Looks better than mine, more rounded! Mine is at slightly the wrong angle as well but happy enough with it:

DSC_0231 by danfullstop, on Flickr
 

Greeny.

ClioSport Club Member
  440i + 182
Yes mate, it was you I PMd a while back asking how you made yours, so took inspiration from what youd done.

If you go back a page you will see how I made it, think I tagged you too :yum:

Memory of a fish evidently! Im very jealous of your trailer and landy setup, wish I had space for a trailer in my new build estate :(

I was also going to get R1R's but have put them on hold for the time being as my RSR have aloads of thread left, although they arent the best in the wet it seems a waste to bin them.
 
This is great!

The thing I love about this, is that it’s clearly been loved before your ownership and now it’s time for track stuff it’s still getting really good mods.
You could’ve just replaced the rad, but you’ve chosen to upgrade the pipe work too. Things like this are great to see!

Also... software for track! What the hell os this awesome bit of kit!
 
This is great!

The thing I love about this, is that it’s clearly been loved before your ownership and now it’s time for track stuff it’s still getting really good mods.
You could’ve just replaced the rad, but you’ve chosen to upgrade the pipe work too. Things like this are great to see!

Also... software for track! What the hell os this awesome bit of kit!

Appreciate the kind comments. Yes I thought it made sense to replace the hoses at the same time, as they are original, and could easily fail on a trackday and ruin the day. Same goes when removing old bolts, I like to replace with new.

The software is an app called racechrono, its a free download on android, but I think its 18 quid on iPhone! Either way its brilliant, gives you live lap times when youre on track - best, current and previous. (I know youre not meant to time but ah well)
 

Sigmamark

ClioSport Club Member
  BMW 530 Touring
How did you get on with the DS1.11s and how did you get them bedded in? It seems like you need to get them unbelievably hot as part of the bedding in!
 

RMDavis

ClioSport Club Member
Cracking car mate, and the grey really suits the 1*2's!

Not a fan of the black stripe on the front bumper. For me it really spoils the front end, although it's not as bad as the fake diffusers people paint onto their rear bumpers! That's just atrocious... 😂

Oulton Park is a track I really want to tick off the list, maybe later this year I'll get it done!
 
How did you get on with the DS1.11s and how did you get them bedded in? It seems like you need to get them unbelievably hot as part of the bedding in!

The ds1.11s are epic mate, cant recommend them enough. Only thing I would say is be conscious of your session time on track. You wont get any fade but I found that the discs took a beating.

Bedding in wise, this is the process to follow
20180308_113106.png

Cracking car mate, and the grey really suits the 1*2's!

Not a fan of the black stripe on the front bumper. For me it really spoils the front end, although it's not as bad as the fake diffusers people paint onto their rear bumpers! That's just atrocious... 😂

Oulton Park is a track I really want to tick off the list, maybe later this year I'll get it done!

Fair enough, each to their own I guess. Personally I really like it, which I guess is the main thing as it is my car :yum:
I like how it exaggerates the radiator cut out and gives the front end a more aggressive look.

Yeah oulton is a mega track, its so up and down, and flows really well. :stig:
 

Sigmamark

ClioSport Club Member
  BMW 530 Touring
Thanks Alex. The car is a race car, so time on track is dictated by the race length and the discs will get checked and changed several times during the season, so really are consumables. It’s come to something when replacement discs are a fraction of the price of pads!
 
Very nicely specced car, quick time for oulton park, what the next set of plans?
Wont be any major changes coming just yet, looking to change my road car (RS250 :smilingimp:), but eventually Id like an LSD. Will be trying slicks soon.

Got a trackday a week tomorrow @ Rockingham so got a few things to dirty before then.
Oil change, exhaust bush change, sort out rubbing issue and change discs!
 
Quick update on the SG...

Gave the car a service in sub zero temperatures, but needed to be done



The car developed a loud knocking sound from the rear at Oulton, which sounded like a loose stub axle bolt or rear top mount. Stripped everything down and checked everything and all bolts were tight. Then thought it was potentially a exhaust mount issue, but after lots of faffing around under the car and head scratching it turned out to be a loose locking collar on the rear shock!


Found that with the car on coilovers I was getting a lot of catching under hard load, so out came the angle grinder, and off came the bumper brackets


Then painted with hammerite to prevent the formation of any rust.

Then we were at Rockingham, which was my first time there so wasn't really sure what to expect. The day was organised by an instagram group called #TrackAddict, and there were some seriously modified cars there!

Met a fellow clio owner @Luigid1984 with a very nice Flamer, and we had some mega battles.











Rockingham turned out to be the best day Ive ever had on track, lots of sideways action in the morning as it was super greasy, and then dried up in the afternoon to put in some quicker laps. Plenty of cars to play with too. Was the first time out on the R1Rs in the wet too and was very impressed.

Put together an edit of the best bits.

 


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