The ITB 197 has finally gone :(

Well, after 5 joyful years of ownership the 197 finally parted my ownership Saturday gone. Its gone to a top fella whos replacing his 911 GT3 with a cheaper trackday alternative, to who i hope it gives many more years of enjoyment.

Been a roller coaster during my time in the 197 but i hold only fond memories of its capability, staggering handling and overall ability to make me look like a driving god even though the car did all the work. How it effortlessly lapped more exotic machinery around a wet Brands Hatch will always impress me beyond belief.

So overall its been a fantastic car to me and handled everything i threw at it in its stride, but i eventually got fed up of the bumpy ride, loud exhaust and general cost of running and maintaining such a highly modified car. It was always going to have to be something special to replace the 197 and keep me from regretting the swap. Fortunately i found myself a cracking replacement, saw it on autotrader one Thursday evening and had it viewed and deposit placed by Friday evening. The rest, as they say, is history :'(

197 as she stood the day it departed me, miss it already :worried:

DSC_0565_zps3d52b932.jpg

DSC_0556_zps433d0b16.jpg

DSC_0560_zps490c84c1.jpg

DSC_0559_zps445bc4b9.jpg

Owner and car together for one last time:
DSC_0569_zpsd0994da7.jpg
 
And replaced it with this:

DSC_0577_zpsfc5b802f.jpg

DSC_0572_zps906224ef.jpg

DSC_0579_zps64909a01.jpg

DSC_0580_zps3ae298c3.jpg

DSC_0578_zps43060274.jpg

DSC_0581_zpsab14590e.jpg

DSC_0576_zps17ddf2bb.jpg

DSC_0573_zps53ebe68a.jpg

MeganeSport 265 Trophy No. 03/50 in Liquid Yellow.

12k on the clock, pretty much mint inside and out. Had dealer replace the drivers seat base as it was a little worn, apart from that it drives beautifully. So much more refined than the 197 and its like a steam train on the straights, suprisingly agile for such a big car around the twisties as well. So pretty much best of all worlds :smiley:
 
Crap replacement I have to say.........

And just watch it in damp conditions, those tyres don't like it at all.
 
Thanks for comments all. I wasn't expecting anything special in the bends after years of 197 trackday heaven but after a late night drive Saturday it really impresses me. For its size a very nimble and chuckable car and the LSD really makes a big difference here, you can feel it pulling you out the bends!

On a tight track like brands hatch or Cadwell I think the clio would out pace this but defo fancy my chances against you all on silverstone or snetterton :wink:
 
Thanks for comments all. I wasn't expecting anything special in the bends after years of 197 trackday heaven but after a late night drive Saturday it really impresses me. For its size a very nimble and chuckable car and the LSD really makes a big difference here, you can feel it pulling you out the bends!

On a tight track like brands hatch or Cadwell I think the clio would out pace this but defo fancy my chances against you all on silverstone or snetterton :wink:

According to harrys laptimer I got round brands in 59:40.

You need to get to the how fast in June and we can go head to head!