“Charlotte” The 182 FF

SharpyClio · Sep 11, 2024

Mr Underhill said:
Span there myself a few years back in the wet, cold tyres coming straight out of the paddock. I went the other way onto the grass and miraculously managed to keep it out of the barrier. Hope it's a simple fix.

Less of a simple fix is my pride! 😂

@Krarl coming around the corner and seeing me facing the wrong way with my arms in the air just have been quite the scene!

Mr Underhill · Sep 11, 2024

SharpyClio said:
Less of a simple fix is my pride! 😂

I know what you mean. I did a half lap of shame when my bonnet went through my screen.

SharpyClio said:
@Krarl coming around the corner and seeing me facing the wrong way with my arms in the air just have been quite the scene!

Well, you can at least sleep knowing you’d pulled a decent gap on him.

Krarl · Sep 11, 2024

I'm upset my A pillar was in the way, all you can see from my footage is tyre marks from where you've left the track🤣

To be fair to myself, I was coming into coppice and I heard a noise that sounded like a cable tie had been attached to my driveshaft, by the time I got to Chris curve it was gone. Then the next lap it was back again into coppice so I kept letting off

That and the fact I had a mini moment into hairpin, I'll see if I can get that footage. f**king thing hurt my ~~wanking~~ wrist

SharpyClio · Sep 11, 2024

Aside from the first part of the morning session where I seemed happier to push sooner we were pretty evenly matched. Was a cracking day.

Not sure what @Krarl was doing in his car at lunch but he was all steamed up. I’m thinking it could have been here he really hurt his wrist…

Krarl · Sep 12, 2024

I've been rumbled!😢🤣

Mr Trailer Man · Sep 12, 2024

Do you reckon it was the rear toe out that caused it or the zero throttle on entry?

Everytime i've been off in the wet it's been down to no/not enough throttle.

It looked like you could have potentially saved that by getting back on the power, but at least it's not too much damage.

SharpyClio · Sep 12, 2024

JamesBryan said:
Do you reckon it was the rear toe out that caused it or the zero throttle on entry?

Everytime i've been off in the wet it's been down to no/not enough throttle.

It looked like you could have potentially saved that by getting back on the power, but at least it's not too much damage.

Zero throttle on entry almost certainly, i think it was a bit faster than previously in the wet and held off longer getting on the power.

As I sat there I realised I could have probably saved it by flooring it but my lack of recent experience made me reach for the brake... hard to overcome the natural reaction to brake.

Need to have a sticker on the dash to remind me all the time that power will always help

Mr Trailer Man · Sep 12, 2024

SharpyClio said:
Zero throttle on entry almost certainly, i think it was a bit faster than previously in the wet and held off longer getting on the power.

As I sat there I realised I could have probably saved it by flooring it but my lack of recent experience made me reach for the brake... hard to overcome the natural reaction to brake.

Need to have a sticker on the dash to remind me all the time that power will always help

Yeah it's hard to overcome the natural reaction, took me years.

Looks like you did try to blip the throttle but it was past that point then.

One of the reasons i hate wet track days 😂

SharpyClio · Sep 12, 2024

JamesBryan said:
Yeah it's hard to overcome the natural reaction, took me years.

Looks like you did try to blip the throttle but it was past that point then.

One of the reasons i hate wet track days 😂

Probably just mashing all the pedals in a mad panic. 😂

Stefan. · Sep 12, 2024

SharpyClio said:
Zero throttle on entry almost certainly, i think it was a bit faster than previously in the wet and held off longer getting on the power.

As I sat there I realised I could have probably saved it by flooring it but my lack of recent experience made me reach for the brake... hard to overcome the natural reaction to brake.

Need to have a sticker on the dash to remind me all the time that power will always help

For next time...

In all seriousness, bad luck and atleast you're fine and the cars not to bad.

SharpyClio · Sep 12, 2024

Stefan. said:
For next time...

View attachment 1710810

In all seriousness, bad luck and atleast you're fine and the cars not to bad.

Funnily enough on the "being fine" I am 100% fine but the only thing my wife said when I got home was "you need a new helmet". Which she is 100% correct about, its my old motorbike helmet and when I say old, I mean a bit to old really, so started looking for a new one.

SharpyClio · Sep 12, 2024

Some decent photos from the day

SharpyClio · Sep 13, 2024

Taken the offside suspension assembly and the only damage is a bent main pin on the ProAm roll centre kit. Safe to say the updated V4 pins are pretty strong now! Scott is organising me a new one and a replacement pinch bolt as well. So should be all good in a week or two.

Did have to repair the metal work under the bumper as well. 100year old bottle jack to the rescue again.

So all that’s left is to fix the paintwork on the bumper which I think I’ll just do my best with a rattle can as I’m sure it’ll get scuffed again at some point.

Mr Underhill · Sep 13, 2024

SharpyClio said:
Taken the offside suspension assembly and the only damage is a bent main pin on the ProAm roll centre kit. Safe to say the updated V4 pins are pretty strong now! Scott is organising me a new one and a replacement pinch bolt as well. So should be all good in a week or two.

SharpyClio · Sep 13, 2024

Mr Underhill said:
View attachment 1710965

Well impressed to be fair. Its clearly bent but there are no real signs of it snapping, obviously its weakened and I wouldn't use it but no visible stress marks. Feel like the hardest part of this is going to be painting the bumper.

Mr Underhill · Sep 13, 2024

SharpyClio said:
Feel like the hardest part of this is going to be painting the bumper.

A spray can because trackcar. Mine is lovely at 30 yards.

SharpyClio · Sep 16, 2024

Small update. Got the polisher out, not perfect but it’s better than it was. Think I’ll just leave it for now… might scuff it again 😬

Also got the replacement brake scoop duct, which was delivered in super quick time.

SharpyClio · Sep 18, 2024

Main pin from ProAm sent next day, service was excellent offered to take the whole lot back and check it but it’s obvious what always damaged.

So new main pin fitted and it’s back together, trackings still out a bit but not as bad as before. OEM wheels fitted ready for storage.

Mr Trailer Man · Sep 18, 2024

Have you checked the tie rod for straightness?

SharpyClio · Sep 18, 2024

JamesBryan said:
Have you checked the tie rod for straightness?

I did - Looks bob on. Going to get the garage to double check it when I take it in for tracking, if its bent then I'll replace it.

Tracking isn't really that far out now either but you can still just see by eye that its not quite where it should be.

SharpyClio · Jan 21, 2025

Seems like it’s been ages since I updated this thread. The Clio has been in storage since Cadwell, I’ve fixed the bits that I bent and just need tracking up now really.

I’ve been over a few times to do some odds and sods, nothing major just hits like quick release bumper and removing some sound deadening.

I did buy some headlight blanks though as I didn’t want to break a brand new Hella light if I ended up off the track again.

I’m heading over again in a week or so to add some 6 point harness eyelets as I’ve been using a frame that was made up for the under seat points but they mean I have limited flexibility in seat position so I’m taking that out and doing it properly.

Then I’ll be doing the tracking and might take it for an MOT, but essentially making sure it’s right for Cadwell on the 24th Feb.

SharpyClio · Jan 27, 2025

Those that read this thread I am asking for your thoughts?

I know the current clutch isn't 100%, it slips after about 30mins on track, only a bit 3rd to 4th. I would just swap it out and be done with it but I have plans this year for engine and gearbox mods.

When I do the gear box and engine stuff I will fit a Sachs racing clutch but I am contemplating just throwing a OEM one in for now, I know there are some quality issues with them but its not likely to be that long tbh.

So the way I see it there are 3 options

1. Just send it as is and hope it doesn't give up after 2 laps at Donnington
2. Replace with a cheaper OEM and swap to Sachs racing one when I do the other work
3. Get a Sachs one now and just swap that to the new gearbox when I do the other work?

Thoughts?

ClioSaint · Jan 27, 2025

Send it... you're going to replace the clutch when you do the engine & gearbox mods anyway.

Would seem pointless, to me, to do a clutch change twice.

Mr Underhill · Jan 27, 2025

Option 3.

Mr Trailer Man · Jan 27, 2025

Option 3 and check you've not got a crank seal leak.

SharpyClio · Jan 27, 2025

ClioSaint said:
Send it... you're going to replace the clutch when you do the engine & gearbox mods anyway.

Would seem pointless, to me, to do a clutch change twice.

Thanks, I was thinking this, my main worry was if the clutch expired it could take the bell housing with it, which would be less than ideal!

Mr Underhill said:
Option 3.

JamesBryan said:
Option 3 and check you've not got a crank seal leak.

Cheers both, Im erring towards this tbh. Its a pain having to do it twice but doing it in my mates barn with his lifts will make it less painful.

I was wondered if there could be a leak causing the slip, but it literally only slips when i've been hammering it for 30mins or so, and even then its only a slight raising in revs before it grips and is fine.

Elitesion · Jan 30, 2025

SharpyClio said:
Soooo…. New injector in, checked the spark plugs just to make sure I had the right cylinder and pretty sure I did… no. 3
View attachment 1625012

So went about changing it. I knew before i started what was about to happen, the fuel rail was pretty hard to get off due to oxidisation onto the injectors. But once off east enough to change.

View attachment 1625013

all out back together and it started on the button but I’ve not got a cyclinder 4 misfire 🤣. Think I’ll just order 3 more injectors and be done with it.

View attachment 1625014 View attachment 1625015 View attachment 1625016

This has been a great read so far!
Don't suppose you could provide the AutoDoc part number for the injector you replaced could you?
If i order them now, they should be delivered by spring for me to fit.....
Thanks
Ben

Brigsy · Jan 30, 2025

Id probably send it, but if it goes from slipping a bit to slipping like fook in a few laps you will have a s**t day. Thats generally how it goes once they are done.

SharpyClio · Jan 30, 2025

Brigsy said:
Id probably send it, but if it goes from slipping a bit to slipping like fook in a few laps you will have a s**t day. Thats generally how it goes once they are done.

Cheers. I’m probably going to just send it at Cadwell in the 24th, not got time to do anything before then and it’s “only” £99 so could be worse.

I’ll need to get on with it after that though.

Elitesion said:
This has been a great read so far!
Don't suppose you could provide the AutoDoc part number for the injector you replaced could you?
If i order them now, they should be delivered by spring for me to fit.....
Thanks
Ben

I’ll see what I can dig out

Elitesion · Jan 30, 2025

SharpyClio said:
Cheers. I’m probably going to just send it at Cadwell in the 24th, not got time to do anything before then and it’s “only” £99 so could be worse.

I’ll need to get on with it after that though.

I’ll see what I can dig out

Thank you 👍🏻

SharpyClio · Feb 3, 2025

Fitted the headlight covers, they are shocking quality so glad they were cheap. They look okay for what they are though.

Need to replace the handbrake cables as they are shot and don’t work anymore so another little job to do.

Adjusted the seating position as well. A good few hours spent at the barn.

Crap photo:

SharpyClio · Feb 3, 2025

SharpyClio said:
Cheers. I’m probably going to just send it at Cadwell in the 24th, not got time to do anything before then and it’s “only” £99 so could be worse.

I’ll need to get on with it after that though.

I’ll see what I can dig out

Should be part number 805001446001

Elitesion · Feb 3, 2025

SharpyClio said:
Should be part number 805001446001

Thanks for the confirmation.

SharpyClio · Feb 14, 2025

Shiny new helmet 🍆👀

SharpyClio · Feb 15, 2025

Really should take some photos from the barn, been over today for 4 hours,

- Handbrake cables replaced
- decat fitted
- horns removed
- brake ducts refitted
- tow loop fitted at the rear
- checked the seating position and set the belts for the HANS and helmet

Also ran diagnostics and had an error code for front o2 sensor no signal, but it appears to be working fine, I’ve ordered another anyway and will keep an eye on it.

Just save for getting my new wheels from @Mr Underhill in Tuesday it’s all ready to go on Monday at Cadwell, hope the weathers good.

SharpyClio · Feb 23, 2025

All loaded up and ready for Cadwell tomorrow.

Hoping to avoid the barriers this time.

SharpyClio · Feb 24, 2025

Mint day at Cadwell, car was spot on all day. New wheels and tyres were 👌 weather was mixed but didn’t end up in the wall had a couple of small moments on a damp / wet track but applied liberal right foot and then sloped off to the pit to change my pants.

Sure some photos will follow that adequately show my immense driving skills.