Ownership had been going fine for me and the French car – it always feels willing to do whatever you ask: with perfectly weighted steering, it really can change direction like a cat if you want it to.

However, one evening up in Leeds the engine started to rev erratically and, when I stopped near my home, the engine cut out. I tried to start it again numerous times but it was no good.

I waited for around 20 minutes before trying it again. Success! The engine burst into life and I decided to get to my garage sharpish in case it happened again. Which it did. On the Clio forums I found that this was a common fault and that a dodgy temperature sensor was to blame. Apparently, after you’ve been driving for a while the temperature sensor stops working. The ECU then thinks the engine is stone cold and starts pouring fuel into the engine making the engine over-rev–and in my case stall and flood the engine. The problem was sorted out quickly at the Renault dealer the next day; I was only without the car for one day.

I’m always surprised by how much boot space there is. Okay, it’s no estate car, but it’s really quite large for such a small hatchback. Rear legroom isn’t the best, but that’s not my concern. It can comfortably fit three adults but, as I’m 6 foot tall, a fourth passenger makes it uncomfortable for me to drive.

I decided I was going to drive down to Le Mans in the summer for the first time. I bought everything required but the Clio just didn’t look right for the trip. So, on went the stickers and it ended up looking as if it was ready for a special stage.

I’d booked to get the 10am boat, so had to leave very early in the morning. But my passenger fell ill the night before so, with PistonHeads’ help, once again I found a passenger for a trip at the very last minute. I’d met Tom a few times before so it wasn’t as weird as it sounds! He arrived at 4am and we left a cold Nottingham at 4.30.

We’d decided we’d take the A28 past Rouen and then hook on to the infamous N138 for the rest of the drive down. As we got nearer to Rouen the A28 was practically empty, so I thought I’d see what the baked bean could do. We started to make very rapid progress and it was only when Tom told me that we had just done 30km in 10 minutes that I realised we’d been going faster than I thought. After a tunnel on the A28 there’s a really long downhill section of road. I saw two things in quick succession: an indicated 142mph from the speedometer… and the blue lights on top of a Subaru Impreza...

I really can’t describe to you how I felt at that precise moment. I slowed to 80mph and pulled into lane 1, but the policeman was right next to me. I tried ignoring him but then he pulled in front and an LED displayed the devastating words: ‘FOLLOW ME’. After I’d been stopped, my passenger had to drive my car to the police station with me as the shocked passenger. I then had to give up my driving licence and £500. We were at the station for about an hour, which meant we were really behind schedule. I got the impression I was banned from driving but wasn’t entirely sure as I didn’t really understand what they were saying.

Finally, we got to Le Mans at 8pm. I said my farewells to Tom as he was on the Houx camping site. We left Le Mans at around Monday lunchtime and, although I really shouldn’t have, I drove back, although at an extremely annoying, sedate pace.