T700 PHY - Trophy 007/500 and Everything Else

[beddoe123]

Nearly 10 years with Trophy 007​

For anyone who has not seen the car before, this is Clio Trophy 007/500. Bought at 18 and now approaching 10 years of ownership, it has somehow become the one car that stays while everything else comes and goes around it.

Most of the older history is over on the ClioTrophy forum in the 007 Owners Register thread: https://cliotrophy.co.uk/threads/007.40683/

There has not been much activity from me on ClioSport.net, so this seemed like a good place to start a proper thread. Alongside the Trophy there have been a few other cars in the mix, including a Clio 200 Cup, an OG manual M2, a Swift Sport runaround and access to my dad’s 981 GTS. My mum has also had some fun cars around too, including an F56 JCW and a Megane Cup-S. Through all of that, the Trophy has always been the constant.

The car itself has had a fair bit done over the years, including an underside restoration in 2020 and a full respray in 2025. It gets used properly, but also gets kept as tidy as possible, which is slightly counterproductive.

Anyway, this is a bit of a catch-up covering the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026. As usual, the little red pea still manages to bring joy.

[July 2025] ClioSport Festival, Anglesey​

It was the first ClioSport Festival for both me and Joe (Clio Silverstone Edition), and our first time at Anglesey.

We pitched up late at night in anticipation of the track day ahead.

We had an absolute blast, and it was great meeting everyone, new and old. The whole event caught us off guard; we had no idea what we had been missing. It is yet another perk of ClioSport ownership.

Having seen the track so much in car media, it felt like I had already been. After chatting to one of the MSV guys, it turned out he was the one providing tuition to anyone who wanted it. No one had booked, so I took the opportunity. It turns out this helped a lot with getting up to speed. Joe later booked a slot, but trouble struck. His starter motor heat shield bracket had cracked again, shorting out the starter motor fuse. A quick pit stop and a drive up a kerb to remove it, and he was back out again.

We had some mega track time and great Clio trains running round all day, which mentally took its toll.

Towards the end of the day I noticed a vibration under braking and coasting. I assumed wheel weights and came in. I could not see anything obvious, wiggled the steering and found nothing. I looked it over and then thought it must have subsided. Back out I went, and back came the vibration. Was it a driveshaft? This time it was getting really bad, so I came in again and decided to call it a day until I could figure out what it was. I rolled round the pits and nothing was standing out as wrong. I then waited for Joe to finish and got him to wiggle the steering while I watched.

Er, yep, I saw what it was. The wheel bolts had all come loose and one of them had snapped. Eek. I cannot believe I did not spot it sooner. Thankfully, luck was on 007’s side.

We limped home with three of the four bolts intact. A PMS stud conversion was ordered promptly.

On return, the remaining nugget was extracted, I did a fresh alignment, and I shimmed the rear axle.

Front camber: -2.0°

Front toe: 0.07° out per side (0.14° total)

Rear camber: -1.8°

Rear toe: 0.11° in per side (0.23° total)

I also spent the remainder of the day cleaning up the wee red pea. After a full day at Anglesey it had an endurance racer look to it. It is so satisfying seeing the rubber melt off with tar remover.

I also got a subtle hint that I was tired when I went to wash the Fiesta without realising the windows were open. Still, the interior did need a clean.

 

[beddoe123]

[August 2025] Clean-up, rear shims and local show​

During the clean-up I noticed the rear of the car had sooted up a bit. I knew it had been running a little rich from the smell and the MPG. Figuring out the cause would be harder than I thought.

Later in August I drove both cars to the local car club show on the village green. It is not every day you can drive both your cars to a show.

[August 2025] Interior trim rattles​

Later in August I spent some time solving one of my bugbears with the car. The rattling trim since the respray had been driving me potty. Eventually, something had to give - and it did. I was driving along a dual carriageway with the windows down when the interior window trim flew off and was caught in the boot.

I bought replacement clips, harness tape and foam, then carefully insulated all the clip areas. Safe to say it now sounds like a Rolls-Royce inside. Well, by Clio standards anyway.

[September 2025] Rich running rabbit hole​

At the time I also revisited the rich fuelling issue. I ended up throwing parts at it, but still no bueno.

It did make the engine bay look nicer at least.

I also fitted a Renaultsport badge that had been missing since the respray. I know it is the newer style, but finding an older one at the time was troublesome.

[September 2025] Clio Trophy Welsh Weekender​

Just in time for the Clio Trophy Welsh Weekender 2025.

As always, it was a great event. The roads had become noticeably busier since my last visit, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Great to meet new and old owners and chat all night at the Starling Cloud.

I took my OBD reader for the weekend, as you do, because it was a great opportunity to compare fuel trim values and see how my car compared. RICH was the conclusion.

Once back home I started ticking the usual suspects off the list when I found some questionable wiring. A quick ChatGPT session found a similar replacement connector online for £12. It arrived next day and I soldered it in, but still no luck with the rich running.

 

[beddoe123]

[Autumn 2025] Timing check with Mick​

This is when I called in the big guns, or as he is known, Mick.

We spent an hour or so checking all the usuals until the only question mark left was the timing. Mick whipped off the cam covers and there it was: the timing was out of sync.

With the Trophy downing fuel like a football hooligan, the timing discovery at least made the rich-running issue make sense. The car was already booked in with Floyd the following week for its long-awaited gearbox rebuild, new clutch and Quaife LSD.

During its time away, my mate from Northern Ireland visited and we spent the day breaking the M2 and the backup family Fiesta ST. Thankfully, nothing major: the oh-so-common charge pipe failure on the M2, and the Fiesta just wore out its brakes faster than you can say ST. The M2 was limped back with all the cable ties, and the Fiesta still stopped surprisingly well considering the lack of brake pads.

My mate also got a drive of the M2 before its demise.

[Autumn 2025] Gearbox rebuild and Quaife LSD​

Rather than setting money on fire with power mods, I thought it would be better to make the most of what the Trophy already has. All 182 of them. So, LSD it was. I was hoping it would get rid of the one-tyre fire and make the car feel a bit more multidimensional through corners, allowing earlier throttle application and making corners feel less like brake, corner, wait, go and more like brake, corner, go.

Also fitted were a power steering switch and a new sump gasket. I think the one I installed prior to CSF was not right, as the leak persisted.

I thought it was just an upgrade and not strictly needed, but I was shocked when Floyd showed me the pictures. The original open diff had some nasties and a bit of tooth decay, so it was a good job it was getting some fresh new dentures.

The selector forks had also seen better days.

I picked the car up a couple of weeks later. It ran so sweetly on the return trip home. However, by November, with sub-zero temperatures and salt being spread, it meant putting the car away before I could properly test out the diff. Talk about an anticlimax.

Overall, 2025 was good.​

 

[beddoe123]

[Winter 2025/26] Trophy hibernation and Fiesta duties​

In the new year, with the gloomy weather, the Trophy stayed mostly tucked up in the garage. The ST became the weapon of choice in the salty conditions. I am really impressed by the ST. With pads and the MP215 kit it flies.

However, once again, so did its brake pads. These were new at the start of the track day: EBC Bluestuff.

[January 2026] Goodbye old friend​

The gloomy weather also makes your mind do weird things. After much deliberation, I decided it was time to part ways with the M2. Between my dad and me it had been a ten-year journey. While it had its flaws, like needing good coilovers and the removal of some rubber bushes to come alive, it also had its strengths. With me enjoying track days more, I wanted something better suited. The M2 was a jack of all trades. Its party piece was its usability, plus that sweet OG M2 sound. Ultimately, I did not fancy ruining it in the pursuit of more track capability. Better to start from somewhere closer to the end goal.

I had pretty much ticked all the boxes with it: road trips with my parents, three up with a mountain bike in the boot to the French Alps to race the Megavalanche, drift days all over the UK, track days, road drive-outs, and Mother’s Day on track with my mum. When I need something more practical, I have no doubt an M2 will likely be the direction again.

The plan: keep the Trophy. Obviously. In case there was any doubt. Then borrow the family Fiesta ST while I save and consider my next move.

FM16 HYP

We salute you!

[February 2026] Some seasoning for the FiST​

With the M2 gone, I gave the ST a bit of love and freshened up the suspension to support me in the moment of loss.

At the time I thought I could last a year. HAHA.

I dialled in some camber and caster, added some spicier pads, and set off for Bedford.

[Spring 2026] Deja vu in the works car park​

Some sun and clear roads after rain gave me the opportunity to get the Trophy out and take some pictures in the works car park.

[Spring 2026] Epiphany at Bedford GT​

To remind me I had sold the M2, Lewis at work had just bought one. Great. However, he went to town on the upgrades for track, and it was in a different league compared with my mostly road-biased car. The passenger laps at Bedford were eye-opening.

While at Bedford in the ST, I also had a track battle with another French car I had my eye on.

I later found the owner, who was still buzzing, and popped the cheeky question of whether I could have a passenger lap. This is where my one-year plan went bye-bye. I once saw someone say that a passenger lap on track can often tell you more about a car than a sedate test drive around town. This one definitely planted the seed. I was impressed, and the car was pretty much stock.

 

[beddoe123]

[March 2026] New beginnings​

The track day got me looking, from the obvious German track-ready sports cars to the British lightweights.

In the end I narrowed it down to this.

This is the M2 replacement.

A110 S with carbon roof. One owner. 13,500 miles.

Collection day.

 

[beddoe123]

[March 2026] Blyton sprint taster​

I had a Sprint Taster round booked at Blyton with the Clio, so I prepped it accordingly: DS1.11 fronts, DS2500 rears and RBF700 fluid.

After ClioSport Festival, on the PBS ProTrack / standard rear pad setup, I went full send. No more soft brakes here.

In the end, I did not really get to use it in anger much. Joe’s Clio 200 broke days before the event, so I said he could use the Fiesta. Then disaster. Unsurprisingly, it had eaten its brakes before we could even get there. In a moment of full crazy, I said I would take the Alpine and he could have the Trophy. I had barely had the Alpine 24 hours and I was taking it sprinting competitively. OK then.

I did get a bit of time in the Clio and wow wee, DS1.11s are no joke. Massive stopping power, but definitely not a road-friendly pad. You hear the squeal before you see the car.

The Trophy was not faultless though. It kept turning off the ABS and throwing faults. It would come and go, and eventually the fault came back in the big braking zone at Blyton. Great. At least the camera man caught my code brown lock-up. I released the brakes just at the right time to avoid hitting a cone at some speed. I had got away with it. Little did I know what would happen next.

After lunch, the codes cleared and the first practice run started. Naturally, on cold tyres and brakes, I completely missed the first corner and went exploring the track limits with the Alpine.

I saw Joe in the queue and said, whatever you do, brake very early because everything is cold. I do not know what early is to him, but it definitely looked dramatic and it was photographed, so not all was lost.

In the words of Han...

 

[beddoe123]

A great experience and, despite not having a feel for the Alpine yet, it managed a respectable 1:15 sprint completely stock.

Joe, on the other hand, decided to calm down and call it a day, gifting me some track pads as a sorry. Bit ironic.

The damage was light and the scuffs polished out.

A great experience and I will be back for more. Joe will too, probably, but maybe in his own Clio.

[Spring 2026] More departures​

Before the Renaultsport collection was slimmed down, I got a photo with my mum’s Cup-S. It had to be done. Great car, just too hardcore for what we needed.

[Spring 2026] Father and son​

One evening after work I threw my dad the keys to the Alpine and got in the Trophy to lead us out through some of Lincolnshire’s best roads. We returned after three hours with slightly organic front bumpers.

[June 2026] Back at Mick’s - what this time?​

While at Mick’s, it was a good opportunity to see how the underside was faring six years on.

Not bad for six years.

In the end, the likely cause of the fault was a faulty ABS sensor, but while there Mick spotted that the 197/200 master cylinder and reservoir attached to the car was trying to detach itself. A small mark was forming where the engine was hitting the master cylinder under braking or acceleration. Oh, hot brake fluid plus exhaust manifold? Not good. From then on, the car was grounded until I could source an original, slightly smaller 182 reservoir or do something more adventurous.

 

[beddoe123]

[June 2026] The distraction...​

At least the Alpine occupied me.

A track evening at Donington with my mother.

Accidentally joined an Alpine meet.

[June 2026] Life110 alignment​

I did an alignment and went with the most aggressive specs I could get camber-wise, then used toe settings similar to Life110. I am glad I did, because the rear was on 7 mm toe-in. No wonder it felt a bit reluctant to turn in.

Er... is this safe?

The answer was no, not as a long-term solution. I was also the only Alpine at the MTB enduro race.

[June 2026] Summer solstice rise-and-drive​

[June 2026] Donington again​

Another evening with Lewis and his brother Joe in his new GT4. With the geometry changes, the car was wonderful. On PS4s with stock pads it was flying. With a passenger, on a clear-ish lap, it was comfortably doing 1:51 on the GP layout. The weak point was definitely the brakes and tyres. For stock pads they were very impressive on track, but getting the brake release right consistently was tricky, especially when they got hot and grumbly. On the plus side, the lack of outright tyre grip made the laps fun.

[July 2026] Cadwell’s red flags​

I then addressed the pad limitation with a front set of DS2500s. Probably not much more powerful than stock, but way more consistent.

Then came an evening at Cadwell with Joe in his 200. We spent most of it in the pits looking at red flags.

Track time was limited to about 20 minutes, which was more than disappointing, but wow, the Alpine is a missile round there. No clear laps, but I will be back there soon for ClioSport Festival.

 

[beddoe123]

[June/July 2026] Back to ye old faithful​

Back to the Trophy. I was on the quest for a 182 master cylinder and reservoir. No luck. At this point I had bought three used ones, and all of them were 197/200.

Crunch time. Either the car becomes a static piece of art in the garage, as I did not fancy making the first Inferno Red Trophy, or option B: I make my own setup.

I went option B.

Luckily, work gives me access to a few things that make the process easier.

I found a suitable reservoir online: an ATE unit used on older BMWs. Another Trophy owner had used one to make a remote reservoir, and the cap and sensor are a straight swap.

I ordered a selection of fittings and hoses, then set to work designing a bracket to mount the reservoir using original mounting points.

This is the area I used for mounting the reservoir. I used the two fasteners on the back engine bay panel.

I am glad I went for it, as when I took the current master cylinder and reservoir off, the reservoir was probably one hard road drive or track evening away from relieving itself.

It took a few templates and design revisions, but eventually I got to the point I was happy.

In the end I used Xometry to manufacture the brackets. I was really impressed. All I did was upload the SolidWorks file and PDF drawing, and within seven days they had been fabricated and shipped over from Poland ready to fit to the car.

I could not bear the sight of the servo. Very crusty and nasty. That came out and had a spruce up. Same system as before: POR15 products with a topcoat.

There was a bit of trial and error in finding the best fittings to use and the best assembly order, but eventually I was happy. I did not end up using these Ford Sierra fittings in the end. Their sealing was not great, and the position of the reservoir favoured some angled plastic ATE fittings.

The new reservoir position also meant the wires for the level sensor needed extending. I soldered in some extra wire and wrapped it in harness tape.

 

[beddoe123]

Bleeding the brakes took a good amount of RBF700, but they came good.

Getting to the reservoir and checking the fluid level is now easier.

Really happy with the results.

This is the bracket setup. I would have liked to use all black hose clamps, but I ran out of time to order some before CSF.

The flange on the left is for stiffening the bracket and acting as a heat shield.

To assemble it, connect the hoses to the master cylinder, loosen the lower fastener on the engine bay back panel, slide the bracket in, fit the top fastener and tighten the lower one.

Another detail I fixed was the battery terminals. They were a bit close for comfort to the ECU bracket, so I ordered a Renault battery terminal cover and made some little brackets to fit the wires underneath it.

I also changed the suspected faulty ABS sensor. The quality is not like OE. This was new six years ago, and already the rubber on the grommets was falling apart.

[July 2026] Ready to rip!​

Comming Soon to Clio Sport Festival 2026...​

I have been commuting in the car this week to weed out any teething issues, so I hope to get it on track a bit.

Hoping to take both the Alpine and the Trophy. So, if you are there, come and say hi. Passenger laps in either car for anyone who wants one.

See you there