Clio 172 Cup.
Great class and very competitive, Mark Williams & his Clio in what your up against🙂
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172 Cup Hillclimb / Sprint Car
Yeah I know Mark well, he's fast in anything just look at lap records and his Clio with PMS engine is rapid. Also all his cars he preps immaculately.
Just had a great read of this!
Amazing to see your improvements.
I've just bought a 182 to make into a slightly more serious track car (than my supercharged MX5) and hopefully enter some of the Javelin sprints this year, although looking like next year now, but should give me some seat time and setup time.
Was sad to see the Clio go. Would have been good to see the modifications make an improvement over being relatively stock.
Main thing is, it seems like you're having fun!
Hopefully see you about (think you're local-ish to me too!) sometime in the near future...
Amazing to see your improvements.
I've just bought a 182 to make into a slightly more serious track car (than my supercharged MX5) and hopefully enter some of the Javelin sprints this year, although looking like next year now, but should give me some seat time and setup time.
Was sad to see the Clio go. Would have been good to see the modifications make an improvement over being relatively stock.
Main thing is, it seems like you're having fun!
Hopefully see you about (think you're local-ish to me too!) sometime in the near future...
shiftspark
ClioSport Club Member
R53 GR86
Ah I am away for both of them. I am at 3 sisters in my Mini but has had an engine rebuild but had to come back out again this week as the crank seal was leaking
Never ending cycle. Are you just doing one off events or a championship?
shiftspark
ClioSport Club Member
R53 GR86
I can’t remember lol I was going to sell and go rallying with an MX5 but the Mini decided to have engine issues before it went for sale.
Having now spent a small fortune and more I’ll have to keep it for this year. It’s not the best for its class but has been surprisingly good on a few events except high speed and power stuff like Aintree where an Evo was 4 seconds quicker than me and without that result I could have won my class championship last year.
What are your plans ?
For 2023 curently think Midland Speed Championship would be ideal as can learn some new tracks and still including Curborough/Harewood, otherwise do a full Harewood Championship. I'll still do plenty or SDCC events at Curborough as the people are great and for a track so simple looking its still tricky to be really fast. For now just going to have some fun.
shiftspark
ClioSport Club Member
R53 GR86
Harewood is an excellent venue but very very competitiv.
A quick update on 106, so since it arrived I haven't been able to start it. Life's been busy with new job, kids and house extension so working on car kept getting put back. So I decided to book some events and force the issue.
24th August Curborough track day
4th September Curborough sprint
17th September Mallory Quick60 knock format sprint
8th October Cadwell Javelin Sprint
'Grandad' Volvo got some new slippers and has been perfect since bought it, super comfy and nice handling, packed in a 4 man tent and all gear for music festival with kids.
Then work started on 106. First charged battery as was low, nothing on solenoid/starter, took off starter to test was dead, fitted new starter was a bugger for access via top to get past bodies (impact gun saved me) or below due to Satchell lower strengthening. All fitted and turned over but now fuel pumps not priming (was before) so after head scratch realised I'd missed 1 of the 5 cables so not earthed. Sorted that and started on the button. Queue a lot of celebration on drive and happy swearing.
The reason for that was it was the morning before the first track day, nothing like last minute prep. Then went to pick up hire trailer, this was first time ever driven with or used a trailer but all went well and V50 was great.
I under estimated how long to load and strap down a car was after having to play jenga on drive to prevent trailer getting knicked overnight then set off late for Curborough.
Got there to nice relaxing day of getting up to speed with the 106, started and loaded off trailer under own power. Then got all my gear on helmet and hans then it wouldn't idle, I was gutted. F'ing novice of the year I'd not put any fuel in and not brought any, off to collect a can and some vpower and started first time (idiot).
After that had a brilliant day, it's a little beast - so different to standard Clio obviously handlings amazing it's properly flat and sharp and diff pulls you through corners the engine is incredible. The noise is additive.
Anyway here's some more pictures...
I met the lads who organised it through sim racing in lockdown so great to finally meet in person. I even gave one of lads in E36 a tow home as his fuel pump died before heading off myself. A great day out, learned loads, love the car and cant wait to get out again and push it!
I wrapped all bump strips in carbon and got some one off carbon headlight blanks to fit. Then plan over winter is fibreglass panels and XXR wheels and Avon slicks, plus paint and maybe reduce loom too.
24th August Curborough track day
4th September Curborough sprint
17th September Mallory Quick60 knock format sprint
8th October Cadwell Javelin Sprint
'Grandad' Volvo got some new slippers and has been perfect since bought it, super comfy and nice handling, packed in a 4 man tent and all gear for music festival with kids.
Then work started on 106. First charged battery as was low, nothing on solenoid/starter, took off starter to test was dead, fitted new starter was a bugger for access via top to get past bodies (impact gun saved me) or below due to Satchell lower strengthening. All fitted and turned over but now fuel pumps not priming (was before) so after head scratch realised I'd missed 1 of the 5 cables so not earthed. Sorted that and started on the button. Queue a lot of celebration on drive and happy swearing.
The reason for that was it was the morning before the first track day, nothing like last minute prep. Then went to pick up hire trailer, this was first time ever driven with or used a trailer but all went well and V50 was great.
I under estimated how long to load and strap down a car was after having to play jenga on drive to prevent trailer getting knicked overnight then set off late for Curborough.
Got there to nice relaxing day of getting up to speed with the 106, started and loaded off trailer under own power. Then got all my gear on helmet and hans then it wouldn't idle, I was gutted. F'ing novice of the year I'd not put any fuel in and not brought any, off to collect a can and some vpower and started first time (idiot).
After that had a brilliant day, it's a little beast - so different to standard Clio obviously handlings amazing it's properly flat and sharp and diff pulls you through corners the engine is incredible. The noise is additive.
Anyway here's some more pictures...
I met the lads who organised it through sim racing in lockdown so great to finally meet in person. I even gave one of lads in E36 a tow home as his fuel pump died before heading off myself. A great day out, learned loads, love the car and cant wait to get out again and push it!
I wrapped all bump strips in carbon and got some one off carbon headlight blanks to fit. Then plan over winter is fibreglass panels and XXR wheels and Avon slicks, plus paint and maybe reduce loom too.
I also spoke to Sandy Brown who built the engine on phone, lovely guy spent hour and half talking me through history of this engine and builds including most recent in 2019. I've got dyno charts from his mapping sessions showing 230bhp / 168lbft.
Only thing I need is MSUK passport so hopefully get that on day on 4th just waiting on OMP to supply certificate for cage then all sorted.
Only thing I need is MSUK passport so hopefully get that on day on 4th just waiting on OMP to supply certificate for cage then all sorted.
Clio 172 Cup.
Looks good mate, I'll pop over at next Sundays sprint for a chat. I'm in todays as well.
Nice one, good luck today
Forgot to do any updates for a while. First competitive outing didn't go to plan as after a very steady first practice (beat my Clio pb time by a second but at least 2/3 second more in the car to come) I was all excited but had starting issues from a dodgy crank sensor. But enjoyed catching up with some old faces, in the frustrations I forgot to come say hello Rich sorry. I didn't do a race run in afternoon and packed up home early which turned out a good idea after torrential rain. Anyway big 3B class below and now I can focus on getting car how I want over winter.
I managed to get my MSUK loybook which was good too.
I then sold off most of 172 bits I had and a number of items off 106, and picked up fibreglass bonnet and boot plus some 8.25 wide XXR alloys, Avon A15 slicks on order and winter strip down has begun.
I'm going to rattle can inside white I think, take cage out to powder coat then I'd love carbon roof, fibreglass doors and wings but funds won't stretch to that this year. The bonnet and boot alone picked up cheap second hand and feel miles lighter than skinned oem metal ones. I'm looking at maybe going homemade livery either plan blue, grey black to with Satchell stuff. Or even black, teal theme with red roof as some sort of Merc F1 tribute theme. Vinyl doesn't cost much so can have a try and see.
I need some arch extensions so probably go wit generic JDM bolt on type for now again only £50 to see what looks like.
I managed to get my MSUK loybook which was good too.
I then sold off most of 172 bits I had and a number of items off 106, and picked up fibreglass bonnet and boot plus some 8.25 wide XXR alloys, Avon A15 slicks on order and winter strip down has begun.
I'm going to rattle can inside white I think, take cage out to powder coat then I'd love carbon roof, fibreglass doors and wings but funds won't stretch to that this year. The bonnet and boot alone picked up cheap second hand and feel miles lighter than skinned oem metal ones. I'm looking at maybe going homemade livery either plan blue, grey black to with Satchell stuff. Or even black, teal theme with red roof as some sort of Merc F1 tribute theme. Vinyl doesn't cost much so can have a try and see.
I need some arch extensions so probably go wit generic JDM bolt on type for now again only £50 to see what looks like.
Clio 172 Cup.
car looked good mate, I was down that end of the paddock for a bit looking at Mark's Clio with him after his minor engine issues. Be good to see4 everyone back next year!
A while since update but little by little, the 106 is getting there, in a one step forward two steps back kind of way.
Over winter I rattle canned fibreglass bonnet and boot which came out good enough for purpose. A lesson learned on value of prep and not messing with it mid coats 😂. Removed my carbon wrap and sprayed trim black too. Removed all side trims, skirts and cut back bumpers.
New smoked rear windows and rear windscreen bonded in.
Avon A15 slicks fitted to XXR wheels all recommended spec from Satchell but hit issue with clearance over Brembos. My own fault for not checking just presumed going ET15 to ET0 would cause no issue on inside only outside. Arches cut back easily single skin so plenty of clearance there with arch extensions to bolt on.
So now looks like selling that setup and getting 106 Super Cup AP calipers only 1.9kg as smallest option with bells and rotas from godspeed will save a chunk of weight and no spacers needed.
Other setback was fire extinguisher service brought up valve issue and Lifeline wouldn't replace so had to fork out for full new Lifeline FIA setup 😪
Remaining jobs are homemade livery to go on, homemade air dam and splitter spolier. Fit arch extensions and plumb in new extinguisher then clean inside and fit seats harnesses and new steering wheel, pedals and were good to go!
Also picked up the only trailer made that is wide enough to fit 106 on with Pro race alloys on but small enough to fit in my garage. Mm to spare! I must have measured a hundred time before drove to South Coast to collect for fraction of cost of a new one.
I'm aiming for 23rd April first race, planning to do Curborough Championship and some events at Harewood too. As soon as cars ready!
Clio 172 Cup.
I meant to ask you at Curborough James, what trailer is it mate? I need one for my Austin A35 and Clio so that looks ideal but need it to go through a 7 foot opening to get it to back garage when built
Hi Rich, it's this model so 2.08m overall width but 1.70m width bed, it's tight for 106 but fine now I removed storage box. It's tows great too even with my old Volvo near 100% weight https://www.nwtrailers.co.uk/brian-james-a4-transporter-125-2002/
You've reminded me should do an update on here too. I was supposed to be out tomorrow but come home with ear infection/balance is gone so not driving at minute, should be back on 10th. Have a good one if out tomorrow!
Clio 172 Cup.
Thanks
yes I'm there tomorrow but miss the 10th unfortunately.A quick update on work I've done to 106 to date...
Removed skirts
Removed door trims
Removed mirrors
Removed headlights
Removed interior fan
Removed lap timer
Lightened front bumper and fitted quick releases
Lightened rear lights
Custom front air dam and splitter
Custom spolier / gurney flap
Lifeline fire extinguisher
Carbon headlight blanks
Carbon drivers footwell
OMP seat
OMP steering wheel
XXR 8.25 wide wheels
Avon A15 slicks
Arches measured many times and cut back once
Cheapo ebay arch extensions
Second hand fibreglass bonnet painted with rattle cans and aerocatches
Second hand fibreglass boot painted with rattle cans and aerocatches
acw light tinted poly windows
New tow strap
Interior deep cleaned and cage partially wrapped
Homemade basic livery and lots of stickers
Service and OEM filter
New crank sensor
New NGK plugs
All done myself so it's taken forever and some things went wrong but learning as I go! Will do better next time.
In terms of racing and getting out in it unfortunately through a mix of work, health and personal stuff only been out once.
It's mega but starting issue only when hot at high compression so now got a 1.4kw starter to replace standard 0.7kw another lesson learned but should be all good then, couple more races for fun and track days then a proper crack at 2024 season is the plan.
Some pictures, it's a looker even if say so myself...
Removed skirts
Removed door trims
Removed mirrors
Removed headlights
Removed interior fan
Removed lap timer
Lightened front bumper and fitted quick releases
Lightened rear lights
Custom front air dam and splitter
Custom spolier / gurney flap
Lifeline fire extinguisher
Carbon headlight blanks
Carbon drivers footwell
OMP seat
OMP steering wheel
XXR 8.25 wide wheels
Avon A15 slicks
Arches measured many times and cut back once
Cheapo ebay arch extensions
Second hand fibreglass bonnet painted with rattle cans and aerocatches
Second hand fibreglass boot painted with rattle cans and aerocatches
acw light tinted poly windows
New tow strap
Interior deep cleaned and cage partially wrapped
Homemade basic livery and lots of stickers
Service and OEM filter
New crank sensor
New NGK plugs
All done myself so it's taken forever and some things went wrong but learning as I go! Will do better next time.
In terms of racing and getting out in it unfortunately through a mix of work, health and personal stuff only been out once.
It's mega but starting issue only when hot at high compression so now got a 1.4kw starter to replace standard 0.7kw another lesson learned but should be all good then, couple more races for fun and track days then a proper crack at 2024 season is the plan.
Some pictures, it's a looker even if say so myself...
A bit slow on updates but here goes. I've entered Harewood Championship for this year plus doing a few races at Curborough and Quick60 at Mallory.
I fitted the diesel starter and took the car on a 14 hour round trip to Truro for Sandy to check mapping. In hindsight after power nap in Volvo and several cans of monster to keep going I should have stayed over but worth it, what a top bloke, learned loads was worth the trip alone plus found all to be well with car, very health numbers and he did few tweaks to improve start up and found a few extra bhp. Only issue was lift pump died on final power run but mapping was finished so called it a day. New starter with mapping worked perfectly multiple hot starts no issues.
Then went on track day with Sim Racing friends to shakedown car, finally heat cycle slicks and check lift pump all sorted. A fun day and got what I needed out of it but only a couple runs to ready for Harewood. Very cool Formila G winning LS swapped MX5 was there and met Cliosport/youtubes RuskiWeldFab who was testing his new MR2.
On 11th May finally just done my first race at Harewood Hillclimb was all worth it great fun, I finished 0.9 seconds off 2nd place (top 2 get trophy in class of 7) which was ok but frustrating as on my final run I was well over a second up on splits but went into 4th instead of 2nd at hairpin and soon as realised chance of trophy was gone for the day. A big confidence boost that there's is time in the car and not million miles off so next ones on 9th June. One cool bit was live stream on YouTube clip below you can see/head when I bog down in 4th. A lots of quick cars including top 2 in my class who also run the day after for British Hillclimb Championship.
I played with tyre pressures which helped but cars running so much camber and toe out it's great on open smooth track but narrow uneven hill it was hunting every imperfection including me going off on grass on straight, see splitter! I think I'll remove splitter as too low for hill and get alignment parallel and bit less camber more caster.
Also picked up a bargain AiM Solo 2 DL and Smartycam GP HD worth couple of grand for £300, was unwanted on someones motorbike but only needed me to do software and configuration updates plus new CAN cable and that will be my new dash/camera setup for next race including live few of lap time delta and videos with embedded data to look at after. I'm data engineer by trade so wanted to play with this side of things for ages for my own curiosity.
Anyway here's a few pictures and link to video...
I fitted the diesel starter and took the car on a 14 hour round trip to Truro for Sandy to check mapping. In hindsight after power nap in Volvo and several cans of monster to keep going I should have stayed over but worth it, what a top bloke, learned loads was worth the trip alone plus found all to be well with car, very health numbers and he did few tweaks to improve start up and found a few extra bhp. Only issue was lift pump died on final power run but mapping was finished so called it a day. New starter with mapping worked perfectly multiple hot starts no issues.
Then went on track day with Sim Racing friends to shakedown car, finally heat cycle slicks and check lift pump all sorted. A fun day and got what I needed out of it but only a couple runs to ready for Harewood. Very cool Formila G winning LS swapped MX5 was there and met Cliosport/youtubes RuskiWeldFab who was testing his new MR2.
On 11th May finally just done my first race at Harewood Hillclimb was all worth it great fun, I finished 0.9 seconds off 2nd place (top 2 get trophy in class of 7) which was ok but frustrating as on my final run I was well over a second up on splits but went into 4th instead of 2nd at hairpin and soon as realised chance of trophy was gone for the day. A big confidence boost that there's is time in the car and not million miles off so next ones on 9th June. One cool bit was live stream on YouTube clip below you can see/head when I bog down in 4th. A lots of quick cars including top 2 in my class who also run the day after for British Hillclimb Championship.
I played with tyre pressures which helped but cars running so much camber and toe out it's great on open smooth track but narrow uneven hill it was hunting every imperfection including me going off on grass on straight, see splitter! I think I'll remove splitter as too low for hill and get alignment parallel and bit less camber more caster.
Also picked up a bargain AiM Solo 2 DL and Smartycam GP HD worth couple of grand for £300, was unwanted on someones motorbike but only needed me to do software and configuration updates plus new CAN cable and that will be my new dash/camera setup for next race including live few of lap time delta and videos with embedded data to look at after. I'm data engineer by trade so wanted to play with this side of things for ages for my own curiosity.
Anyway here's a few pictures and link to video...
Last edited:
✂️ AnnOldMan
28 seconds · Clipped by AnnOldMan · Original video "Harewood Open Hillclimb LIVE" by HillClimb.TV
youtube.com
Forgot to do updates for a while but had a good year getting faster all time at all tracks, best result 2nd in class at Harewood was highlight with still time in the car.
Quick60 was fun got into quarters before knocked out, seeing Gobstopper 3 in person was so impressive, so quick and planted.
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxRNO1KtkDioNjb6J2OWbaTv_bGr7FZZ9d?feature=shared
For the winter main change will be new front brakes most likely pug1off 6 pots which have been recommended to me but the 205 restomod version so slightly less weight and more clearance will mean I can ditch spacers finally, and a few alignment tweaks.
Also looking at weight loss smaller fuel cell and PDM to drop unneeded circuit racer parts of loom, plus Maxi Motorsport arches to paint and fit.
Plan for next year is class wins!
Quick60 was fun got into quarters before knocked out, seeing Gobstopper 3 in person was so impressive, so quick and planted.
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxRNO1KtkDioNjb6J2OWbaTv_bGr7FZZ9d?feature=shared
For the winter main change will be new front brakes most likely pug1off 6 pots which have been recommended to me but the 205 restomod version so slightly less weight and more clearance will mean I can ditch spacers finally, and a few alignment tweaks.
Also looking at weight loss smaller fuel cell and PDM to drop unneeded circuit racer parts of loom, plus Maxi Motorsport arches to paint and fit.
Plan for next year is class wins!
Attachments
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donnylad
ClioSport Club Member
Great to see your still going pal! I'll have to try and get to an event to catch up next year
Nice one pal, hope all good with you. Harewood is a good day out in sunshine can see full track from top and 3 cars on track at any one time.Great to see your still going pal! I'll have to try and get to an event to catch up next year
Long time forgot about posting in here but over winter swapped to Maxi Motorsport arches, new rear beam refurb by Spoox, fitted AiM data logger, dash and camera plus Pug1off 6 pots.
Doing full 2025 Harewood Hillclimb Championship and so far done 2 races and won 3B class in both woth PBs both days. The car is mega and loads more time to come.
Doing full 2025 Harewood Hillclimb Championship and so far done 2 races and won 3B class in both woth PBs both days. The car is mega and loads more time to come.
Also now going to be posting on instagram and YouTube under jrpmotorsport so will try to update on here to match, race was live streamed today so short clip here https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx4KvTvl6yFNpSTgjxHdjWRJbZrgb3qLg5?feature=shared
BashRacing
ClioSport Club Member
You're doing some decent times there, plenty have tried the Gti's at Harewood and most have struggled with it being 1600cc car in the 2000cc class.
What's the spec on the Sandy Brown engine ?
What's the spec on the Sandy Brown engine ?
Cheers main aspects below...
81mm bore (1690cc with STD 82mm crank)
Satchel GSXR Throttle Bodies 8 injectors.
Sandy Brown Thermostat Housing.
Edwards ‘Bespoke’ exhaust Manifold.
Satchell Bespoke Inlet Manfold.
Satchell Alloy Crank & Alternator Pulley
DTA S60
It's a special engine, only major aspect of car to change now is gearing is too long at minute for Harewood but it's at tipping point of use, right now it could go circuit racing/sprint/hillclimb/time attack etc. If I put different box in it becomes very event specific.
Other than that's it's going to be bits to lose weight, maybe fibreglass/kevlar doors, have a go as making carbon front end clam myself and regs allow remove anything outside wheelbase. Find a non sunroof roof skin (carbon available but not allowed for MSUK sprint/hillclimb events) etc but again heads into event specific mods.
BashRacing
ClioSport Club Member
Yeah been down the rabbit hole of making a Harewood Specific car, you just end up with a very narrow operating window that doesn't work anywhere else.
