With the R400 away being fixed but races entered a trusty 205 GTI 1.9 was purchased and thoroughly abused for the rest of 2006.
The first of the 205 Gti's bought was a black example - the specification is here...
205 GTI 1.9 (F242 RBP)
F242 RBP was a black Peugeot 205 GTI 1900 - the original old school hot hatch in many peoples eyes. Although the car was good as standard, we decided a few improvements here and there would make it more suitable for competition use (and safer)
Lowered Rear Beam with Bilstein Rally shocks
The first step was to sort the suspension out, we consulted Mike Geen from Team Geen Racing to find out the easiest way to improve the handling - it was decided on the lowering of the rear beam along with some Bilstein rally spec dampers. At the front end some Koni dampers went on with some new springs. This gave the car a lower more aggresive stance and improved its stability. It would have been a little too stiff for road use however.
OMP Seat and Sabelt Harnesses
An OMP seat was chosen to give the driver more support - particularly crucial for hillclimbing and allowed the use of some Sabelt harnesses - which in the event of going off (of course which would never happen with Simon driving!) would offer much improved safety over the standard inertia seatbelt set up.
Caterham 15" Alloy wheels with Scudo Stunner tyres
We decided the standard wheels were not doing it looks wise - also Scudo Stunner tyres had been recommended as a sticky list 1a tyre. So on went the Caterham wheels which were used on the R400. The Stunners proved to be a good sticky tire for hillclimbing.
After half a season - the engine started knocking quite badly at the top end, so Rick re built the engine with a new crank and shells - putting it back on track. However a surprise was around the corner in the shape of another Peugeot 205 GTI.
205 GTI 1.9 (H43 RGY)
After this 205 was used for a number of meetings, it was decided to get a more powerful 205 which was running carbs - this was also a slightly newer car.
Suspension set up Lowered Rear Beam with Bilstein & Koni Dampers
Again as the old black 205 GTI we used the same set up - Bilstein Dampers with a lowered rear beam and Koni Dampers at the front.
Engine work including LAD Head and Twin 45 Dellorto Carburettors
This car was purchased due to it already having engine work from the previous owner - a LAD Motorsport head had been fitted, along with Dellorto Twin 45 Carbs giving the 205 some extra grunt - It was estimated to be giving approximately 130 bhp at the wheels. Due to the car not running quite right when we acquired it - we sent it off to Dave Bogg in East Yorkshire to set up the Carbs.
306 GTI - 6 Brake Conversion
In order to help the car stop with the extra power gained from the engine work - a 306 gti 6 brake conversion was done which massively helped the cars braking ability and proved to be almost fade free.
This Peugeot took part in a number of events at Harewood Hillclimb where it put in some good times driven by Simon Medley.
The highlight of the Peugeot 205 Gti's life has got to be when it was taken down to RAF Marham for the weekend for a track day, here it was mixing with a Ferrari Enzo, Porsche Carrera GT (as owned by Paul Bailey - writer for EVO Magazine) and numerous Lamborghinis.
The combination of the stiffened suspension and the Avon CR 500 tyres made it a match for the myriad of supercars through the bends - Paul Bailey (EVO magazine journalist) even commented on how he couldnt shake it off his tail on the twisty sections!
Watch the Video clips below to see how it went on!...
