Renault Clio Cup Race Car

At the end of 2006, the ex Renault Clio Cup Race car was bought, from Phil House. The idea being that the car would be used to compete in Hill Climbs across the country, mainly focusing on Harewood Hillclimb, also hoping to venture to venues such as Loton Park, Prescott Hillclimb and Barbon in the Northumbria. With the future set on the Northern Sports Car Championship, to get involved in circuit racing (the Clio's natural habitat!)

Once the Clio was bought at the back end of 2006, it was cleaned up a little with a full respray (in the original black and yellow colour scheme) and some perspex windows fitted to reduce weight. As the car is not road legal, simon decided it would be a good idea to take the car on a track day to get the feel of it, and make sure it was mechanically sound, and handled well! So the Playtoy crew took it down to a Gold Track track day at Silverstone, on the national circuit. Here the car proved to be a fantastic track weapon, embarrasing cars with far superior power, including porsche gt3's!

After the successful track day at Silverstone, it was time for the Harewood Hillclimb test day. Simon decided at this point, that the Michelin Slicks which came with the car were best left to circuit use.

The relatively short times on track at the hillclimb were not getting enough heat into the tyres to make them effective, so some Hoosier tyres were ordered, with a much softer compound that would hopefully get upto temperature much more quickly, to enable the chance of putting in some good times!

After Simon got the car as he wanted, a locally based company - Startled Rabbit, specialising in performance bulbs decided to sponsor our Renault Clio Cup Race Car. This involved having graphics designed for the car, giving it a striking appearance!

So far this year simon has achieved a time of 65.28 and had a result of 3rd in class at Harewood Hillclimb. Watch this space to see how he gets on at future events!

Renault Clio Cup Race Car Specification

Engine : 1998cc 16 valve Clio 182 engine , Renault Sports Magneti Marelli management on sealed cup spec engine, Max Power 200bhp @ 6900rpm ( not stressed and more available very easily ) Modified Renault Sport Cup Engine Subframe allowing lower engine position . Heavy Duty Engine Mountings.

Bodyshell : 2005 Lhd shell fully prepared and strenthened by Renault Sport inc multipoint weld in cage , no underseal etc and refinished inside / outside and underneath in 2k Renault Yellow. Complete Built car weights only 900kg.

Gearbox : Sadev 6 speed sequential , Flat Shift ( Full Throttle ) Dog Engagement with Limited slip diff. Illumenated dash shift display , Rebuilt only 2 events ago. Sadev Heavy duty drive shafts.

Suspension : Renault Sport Cup spec non adjustable Bilstein Dampers. Modified Cup spec rear beam , Modified front Lower arms.

Brakes : Clio 182 Sport Calipers with Competition Mintex Discs and pads , Goodridge Hoses and all lines throught inside of car.

Interior : Renault Sport Dash with Magneti Marelli Tach dash and Lcd displays which give all diagnostics / engine temperatures / fuel level and pressures . Data logger / Lap timer with all sockets / ports for you to plug lap top into. Renault Sport master console to right of driver with all nessasary switchs ie Masterswitch , ignition , start button , wipers, indicators, fan, screen demister etc. 1 x Corbeau Race seat , sabelt aircraft 3" Harness . Full manual Fire Extingisher system and not much else hence only 900kg.