RenaultSport clio 172 mk2
Im a bit new to this Mk2 clio lark, although i did own a Clio 16v (old shape) along time ago. Im no spring chicken, but in my 20 years of driving i have concluded the following:
The car containing the driver least wanting to live / keep their licence will be quickest on the road, irrespective of power or chassis. Road racing is stupid and will eventually end with your car in a ditch / points on licence.
The fastest drivers on a track are the smoothest, irrespective of car / power / chassis
Local road knowledge accounts for 80% of speed. A driver who knows a road will beat pretty much any other car irrespective of power / chassis / weight.
Ive owned / driven alot of cars in my time and the truth is the clio sport 172 is alright. Its far from the best set up car ive driven out of the box. Its not that special in high speed corners as the dampig rate isnt right for the springs, and the body roll is too much. Slow speed stuff it suffers from traction problems as the engine is too peaky. If you want to drive a car with a great base set up drive the old shape Fiesta 1.3 (ultra base model) and the 1.6 zetec S. Now this car (zetec s)is probably the best chassis ive driven on a small car and IMO what the clio should be aiming to beat (not talking about engine power, just chassis dynamics and handling characteristics). Thebest chassis i drove on a sports car was on a Boxster.
The car containing the driver least wanting to live / keep their licence will be quickest on the road, irrespective of power or chassis. Road racing is stupid and will eventually end with your car in a ditch / points on licence.
The fastest drivers on a track are the smoothest, irrespective of car / power / chassis
Local road knowledge accounts for 80% of speed. A driver who knows a road will beat pretty much any other car irrespective of power / chassis / weight.
Ive owned / driven alot of cars in my time and the truth is the clio sport 172 is alright. Its far from the best set up car ive driven out of the box. Its not that special in high speed corners as the dampig rate isnt right for the springs, and the body roll is too much. Slow speed stuff it suffers from traction problems as the engine is too peaky. If you want to drive a car with a great base set up drive the old shape Fiesta 1.3 (ultra base model) and the 1.6 zetec S. Now this car (zetec s)is probably the best chassis ive driven on a small car and IMO what the clio should be aiming to beat (not talking about engine power, just chassis dynamics and handling characteristics). Thebest chassis i drove on a sports car was on a Boxster.