I've not done Lydden. Looked years ago and didn't like the sessioned format they were running at that time so spent my money elsewhere. Much prefer OPL format. Should just get it done to tick it off really!

Javelin always run value days and don't take any bullshit. Good!

MoT booked for Friday. Fingers crossed it passes!

I've neglected this page a bit. Time for an update...

So late April and days before the Snetterton TD, it failed it's MoT...

1. Emissions.
2. Bulb out.
3. Headlamp wonky.
4. Rear brake compensator seized.
5. No air bag.

Of course, I shouldn't have booked a track day before sorting the MoT, but I wanted to go on the day, saw that it was getting booked up, panicked, booked the TD and then cracked on with the MoT.

The MoT man sorted out the headlamp and bulb, whilst my Dad (works for a motor factor) sorted out a new cat and lambda sensor.

Getting the exhaust on and lined up was a pain, and I'm still not entirely happy with the fit, but it is safe and passed. With an aftermarket 4 brancher, aftermarket cat and aftermarket system all from different vendors, it's a right bitsa. I'll get a pipe spreader from eBay (£25) and make the extra space such that I can get the sleeved section fully home and have some exhaust based happiness.

The compensator was a piece of piss in the end. I grabbed a guide off this forum, which stated that it was a pig, I saw an easier way than the guide suggested and with loads of WD40 and a bit of leverage it was freed off. Updated the guide to include my method.

I presented the MoT man with two different print outs on the topic of air bags and he passed it.

I also treated it to two new wipers, Bosch no less.

So off to Snetterton!

A really great day, one of my favourite TDs ever. I really like the circuit, the day (Javelin) was very well run, no notable circuit closures and the weather was a good combo of a dry/wet morning and a dry afternoon. I know some people hate the rain, but I love it! Empty circuit and fun playing with lines, weight balance, etc.

But God was I slow in the morning. I don't know why, but I just couldn't commit to the fast stuff. I probably owe my mate Nige a beer for the brake test on the infield section! But I slowly grew a pair, knocked some rust off my driving and really felt on top of things in the afternoon. Much of the TVR owners club crowd were relatively easy fodder (the ones still running, anyway) and tackled some machinery well above my station. Good! Not that they much fancied moving out he way for a Saxo... Yellow VX220 you know who you are!

I've got relatively little experience in FWD and it was great to learn how to get the most out of the car; trying to trail brake to the apex, get the car rotating and then getting on the gas to fire it out. When it worked, it felt great! Completely risk free as well; get it wrong and it is scruffy, the back end might wander a bit, but ultimately all you do is lose a little time. Not exciting like gently over steering a RWD car from turn in to exit, but a enjoyable technique all the same.

Car ran faultlessly, apart from a minor wiper mishap. Apparently I hadn't quite seen it home when I replaced them and it half detached itself as I bounced over the kerb at Murrays. Yes it was raining, but pitted in to sort it with no drama.

A few pics:





The faster I got, the more a couple of limitations in the car began to show. The tyres were one; the T1Rs are a great all rounder, didn't die, gripped well in the wet, but they are no R rated tyre. I've got my eye out for something on the used market; there are enough Pugs out there being mucked about with and 15s with slicks, R888s or whatever will come up at the right price, in the right location. I will need to get that harness bar in though, because with the straps mounted as they are, there is not enough room for a spare set of rubber inside. Plus a harness bar will improve the shoulder strap angles no end.

I also agree with many that track 106 / Saxos that the stock brakes are marginal. I know that mine is still on rubber hoses, cheap 5.1 fluid, Yellowstuff pads on the front and non-determinate discs. So nothing special. They've never faded, but never feel really strong and just don't quite inspire confidence. So I've since picked up some GTi-6 calipers, allowing a significant upgrade in disc size from 247mm to 283mm. Bargain £45 delivered. I'll fit the braided hoses that I've had for months with some shiny new discs and probably another set of Yellowstuff pads. They are heavy though (when they arrived, my first thought was that there was a set of discs in the box as well), so I can see why some go the 266mm route, off a 206 or some such. However the 283mm are meant to be the nuts on these. I did get offered some 4 pots (Hi Spec), but they were too spendy for this. If the 283s upset the balance, I'll look out for some lighter wheels. Pro Races or something.

Verdict is out on adding ducting... Apparently the 283s don't need it and apparently the air can stall in the arch on these, rendering it ineffective anyway. Be keen to get opinions on whether ducting *always* works and that the Internet is lying too me.

Over and out!

Good stuff. I had no problems with mine on braided hoses, 5.1 and carbon lorraines. No fade at all lap after lap. That was on standard discs.

Would be good to encounter this at a trackday though my Clio might struggle to stay with it.

A I say, they don't fade, but they don't really inspire confidence. We'll see what happens on the bigger stuff.

RE. 172s, had a session with a stock one at Brands. It is definitely a gnat's faster in a straight line and the day was too wet to really judge braking and cornering. It steadily got away.

Most of the Clios at Snetterton were on R rated tyres, so no comparison.

As standard I think they are better than saxos even better MPG too! To me it feels a lot faster but its probably the extra torque. Im only sticking with mine as its the new saxo as parts and following is at the level saxos were say 5 or 6 years ago. I notice saxp is dead these days.

A Clio 1*2 is a better base, no question.

Still wish I had a Megane 3 though...then I could really scare some stuff lol

A cleaning based update... But bear with...









Guess who parked it under a tree after Snetterton. :lol:

It lives at the back of my house and I can't actually see it properly day to day. I don't live in a mansion, just high fences protected by spiky bushes. Popped round the back last week and *holy shit* was all I could manage. It's spent the last year living out the back, but must have been 10 foot to the left as this hasn't happened before...

Of course, it started on the key, first time. I commented to the wife that it seems very un-French; refusing to surrender. She added; or going on strike.

Jet wash, snow foam, jet wash, hand wash, hose. I was going to clean the car next to it so didn't bother drying it... It would only get wet again (and did indeed cop some snow foam when I started on the car next door (normally there are only 2 cars on the drive, so this isn't an issue normally)).

Better:



End of update: It will return to the back of the house tomorrow (I stuck it on the smart charger, just because it seemed sensible to do so). I'll avoid the space under the tree this time...

I've targeted September for the next outing. We have a 4 week old and things are quite busy at the minute. Frustratingly we have family over so I can't make the annual August Goodwood jolly (Gareth, my friend and mechanic, hires it the track himself and sells spaces to 40 of his favourite customers... Most of us know each other and it is basically brilliant). Arse. Would have liked to have taken this back 12 months on from its first outing.

Get a car cover from halfords. £50 job done.

Having not been used for a year, this failed it's MoT - rear calipers sticking plus a bit of welding required on the door hinge.

Probably going to break it unless someone shouts with an offer.

Shame. What you doing now? Lack of time and that for trackdays or loss of interest?

Bit tight on time / just bought this:



Cupra 290. That'll do for the 1 - 2 track days a year that I'll manage now that we have a little'un.

Also fancy building up a nice bike, something like this:



Need the Saxo to go to give me the space.

Mate if you're planning on breaking I'll be happy to come up and take a good amount of parts off you, Defo would have the cage and alloys off you, got any pics of the engine bay?

Very nice! Decent daily and track car all in one :)

Cool. I'll take some pictures and stuff and send you some details in the week.

Manic this weekend, but really happy to deal with people off here to save messing about on eBay, etc. Bear with!

Only 600 miles in (bought new), but so far it seems good at the motorway grind and hustling lanes! Very pleased.

Think I have roughly the same engine in the Polo- EA888?

Did you get DSG or manual?

Your short 200cc's but you can dream :y:

Manual. Tried DSG in a few different VAG products. Clever, but not for me.

Fair enough same here but only cos the manual has more to torque (70nm)

I would have thought DSG would have been better for this car?