The Proton Iriz R5 and Mellors Elliot Motorsport (MEM) team have secured yet another win, taking the top spot at the 2018 Cambrian Rally – the season opener for the BTRDA Rally Series. The victory came in spite of a late minute entry as well as a change in co-drivers.
Piloting the Iriz R5 to victory was MEM driver Oliver Mellors and co-driver Max Freeman, the latter replacing Ian Windress who was present during the team’s success in the Grizedale Stages Rally. As the finalised time sheet shows, the Jalur Gemilang-liveried Iriz rally car had to fend off some stiff competition for first place.
After seven special stages (SS), Mellors and Freeman ended the rally with a time of 43 minutes and 47 seconds. Just six seconds behind was Paul Bird in a Ford Fiesta WRC 07, followed by Stephen Petch in a Ford Fiesta WRC.
A string of impressive finishes for the Iriz R5 is certainly good news ahead of its entry into the World Rally Championship in the WRC2 category as well as the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) in 2018. The vehicle is set to undergo homologation with the FIA in April this year.
As a recap, the MEM-prepared Proton Iriz R5 boasts 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. It also sports an Xtrac transmission and all-wheel drive system, along with Reiger suspension, Brembo brakes and Cosworth electronics.
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Wow….congradz Proton …you really deserved it
Nothing to be proud of Proton, it only contributed 25% of the success. The other 25% came from the engine (Mitsubishi, not proton campro or VPS or VVT), another 25% from the team responsible to make all the changes and the balance 25% of course the driver himself.
We’ll then, congrats everyone, including P1.
Congrats Mahaleel & team R3!
Remember you (Proton) …have designed and built a really astonishing car ……The Iriz had always been your greatest product!!! ..though not very good in the sales front .But the thing you guys have to know is that no matter how good an engine might be …that engine has be in a very2x able chassis and that is where the Iriz comes in …..
Cheerz Proton
dont get it.. just a shell. the rest of the car is beefed up beyond recognition of the original car
U should ask the same question of Hyundai, VW, Skoda, Ford, Peugeot, all of whom have R5 rally cars…Or even why Toyota, Ford, citreon, Hyundai..Etc.. have WRC rally cars..Or why Porsche, Ferrari, Bentley, Nissan etc. Have GT3 race cars and the list just goes on and on and on..LMP..f1..Formula e… or maybe u should read up on the role of motorsports as well in the automotive industry…
The shape of the car brings an important driving dynamic that affects how the car is driven. The short overhangs and wheelbase of the Iriz does infact contribute to its performance, as mentioned in earlier articles regarding the Mellors Iriz.
Do read up on rally cars engineering b4 showing ur ignorance here.
u better read more rather than commenting here..
I think maybe Iriz is just a good car for rallies. Sure, Ploton had a lineups of questionable cars, but at least give them credit where its due.
Besides, the new Persona, Iriz and Saga is alright for its price range and respective segments. Preve is overpriced though.
A good example of ‘Malaysian Inferiority Complex’.. grow up lah, it’s 2018.
mitsubishi turbo engine… camtakpro 1.6 tak boleh pakai?
Cant match to a 4WD powertrain. Its only designed for FWD and engine max rating to 200HP. All rally engines aint stock anyways.
The 4b11 is used because it is already part of the proton family of engines as it is already used in the inspira. Also..From an engineering point of view..It is far quicker and cheaper to use that engine.
Proton hebat lor
I personally think that the proton is under appreciated. Yes they screwed up in the past. But they are much more better now right. With the Iriz and Persona. Hmm
It’s the engine for sure
ok.. dah boleh offer sebijik izir pada ken block
Ken got sponsored by Ford. So nope.
Smol,cute Iriz with small wheels
Well done MEM, memartabatkan nama Bao Teng dan mengibarkan Jalur Gemilang di persada dunia!
Proton should consider bringing back Iriz 1.6 manual in limited units, all in silver, with some R5 touches, and plaques to commemorate each individual unit. I’m sure it’ll be a hit, as this time it has increased desirability among niche enthusiast market.
P1 now in consolidation and money saving mode. Any special edition will cost money and disrupt production line. They cud revive R3 for that, but the price will be a bomb just like Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing, remember that?
I know many will be very frustrated but too bad, races are won under the name Proton no matter how much Proton’s DNA is in it.
Looks like Proton with Mitsubishi a winning combo …
Suzuki Ertiga better than this junk iriz. You can see the volume of proton sales.
1.Saga
2. Persona
3. Ertiga
4. Iriz
5. Exora
6. Preve
7. Suprima S
8. Pondana