Proton Iriz R5 scores podium at MEM Malton Forest Rally 2017 – third overall, top amongst R5 contenders

Proton Iriz R5 scores podium at MEM Malton Forest Rally 2017 – third overall, top amongst R5 contenders

Following its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and its impressive showing at the Festival’s Forest Rally Stage, the Mellors Elliot Motorsport (MEM) Proton Iriz R5 began its competition campaign in earnest with its participation in the MEM Malton Forest Rally 2017, and has emerged with equally impressive results.

Piloted by Oliver Mellors and co-driver Ian Windress, the MEM Iriz R5 went on to score a third place overall finish, 26 seconds behind Charles Payne and 19 seconds behind Stephen Petch, each driving a Ford Fiesta RS WRC. The Iriz R5 was the class of the R5 field, charting a time 3 minutes and 21 seconds quicker than the next in class, a Ford Fiesta R5 piloted by Smith Guy.

“The MEM Malton Forest Rally certainly didn’t disappoint, the car was faultless all day and never having to put a spanner on it,” Oliver Mellors said on his Facebook page.

Proton Iriz R5 scores podium at MEM Malton Forest Rally 2017 – third overall, top amongst R5 contenders

“To set the fastest time on the first ever competitive stage for the new Proton Iriz R5 was fantastic and finishing the event in third overall, only to be beaten by two world rally cars and beating all the other R5 cars. The stages were extremely fast with the average speeds over 96 km/h on every stage and the top speed just over 200 km/h,” he continued.

This bodes well for the Iriz R5 ahead of its entry into the World Rally Championship in the WRC2 category as well as the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) in 2018. In addition to the contesting of the Malton Forest Rally, the Proton Iriz R5 was also given a test by rallying legend and double WRC champion Marcus Grönholm in Wales the previous weekend.

Under its skin, the MEM-prepared Proton Iriz R5 boasts of a 4B11T turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, albeit with its cylinders sleeved down from 2.0 litres to 1.6 litres to comply with R5 and WRC2 class regulations. Tranmission and all-wheel drive is courtesy of Xtrac, while suspension duties are handled by Reiger and braking is provided by Brembo, with electronics by Cosworth.

GALLERY: Proton Iriz R5

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • John Bosan on Nov 08, 2017 at 2:26 pm

    Yawn…Boring news.

    New Myvi > All.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 82
    • You r the boring one. Myvi? Pfff…. on PT there’s people who like to read about this type of news. Because we know we can’t drive this type of cars just becoz it is not make for the mass. Just simply read about it and enjoy. Not like Myvi, everyday can see n drive..boring..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 44 Thumb down 1
      • Abang Alza Pakai Topi on Nov 08, 2017 at 9:25 pm

        Impressive car so good, no one wants. So high tech and superbly designed, no one wants. Iriz is the best, no one wants.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 20
        • Rahman Darus on Nov 09, 2017 at 6:43 am

          Malton should use the new Myvi with host of safety features.

          This will wipe out Iriz.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 22
  • Iriz, itz inda drive.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 1
    • lilytan on Nov 08, 2017 at 3:39 pm

      Proton rally history is pretty impressive indeed. Too bad their management is too dumb to leverage on this.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 0
  • Kudos to MEM and Oliver for the win. And to P1 for providing another sound chassis that can take on the best.
    Well done to all!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 41 Thumb down 8
  • Mohamed Farid Apandi on Nov 08, 2017 at 2:42 pm

    Well done Proton!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 34 Thumb down 1
  • What safety? on Nov 08, 2017 at 2:46 pm

    Subaru Impreza lost to this Iriz R5. This Iriz R5 is very impressive.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 42 Thumb down 2
  • mesinrumput on Nov 08, 2017 at 2:50 pm

    menang sorak, kampung tergadai

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 49
  • make proton stronk again

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 1
  • 12yrsold on Nov 08, 2017 at 3:14 pm

    A check on the event/list show the top 2 are WRC specs car hence IMO, the Iriz should be the champion simply bcos the Iriz was NOT a WRC car.
    Kudos to MEM & the driver(Mellors Oliver) for a job well done.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 35 Thumb down 2
  • sad fact on Nov 08, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    No matter what, it still can’t sell well. LOL

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 26
  • tokmoh. on Nov 08, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    Well done MEM, mengharumkan nama produk Geely di dunia!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
  • Superman on Nov 08, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    Soon Perodua sales will surely will decrease cause Perodua wanted to be the first position as the market leader which Perodua doesn’t wanted to allow Honda, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes, Proton, Volvo and others to be at the top which Perodua is very selfish company. Not only that, Perodua doesn’t have any EV Vehicles, Perodua still having 4 Speed AT Transmission and also Perodua Alza, Axia and Bezza still doesn’t have any safety features yet, only new Perodua Myvi have safety features but prove that Perodua is not even 4 star NCAP safety rating even new Myvi have safety features especially for other Perodua models. Soon Geely SUV will launch in Malaysia so don’t be happy with Perodua. Honda and Proton will might beat Perodua in the future. So don’t buy Perodua, buy Proton, Honda, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan, Toyota, Volvo and other better.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 6
  • Superman on Nov 08, 2017 at 4:55 pm

    One more thing I forgot to tell that soon Perodua services will be terrible when there are TOO many Perodua vehicles on the road

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 3
  • lifeishot on Nov 08, 2017 at 5:23 pm

    So what? lol…
    People wouldn’t go it buy it because of this.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 20
  • SALang on Nov 08, 2017 at 5:23 pm

    I saw BMW E30 in the list…
    Seriously…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • All these achievement is pointless if they don’t trickle down to customer’s cars. They really need to make a hot Iriz R3.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 12
  • Aero (Member) on Nov 08, 2017 at 7:58 pm

    Congrats to MEM on their stellar performance !

    MEM has done a fantastic job on their Iriz R5 project. It is my hope that MEM gets the necessary sponsorship/contract agreements for 2018’s WRC.

    MEM has worked hard and smart, they have earned the respect and admiration of many. The Iriz R5 has incredible potential, in the right hands, it could be a true winner for the team.

    Looking forward to hearing more Iriz R5 news in the near future.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1
 

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