Proton Iriz R5's First Victory at Grizedale Rally

Ollie Mellors and co-driver Ian Windress secured a first victory for the Proton Iriz R5 at the Grizedale Stages Rally, after taking the podium at the Malton Forest Rally last month. Driving for the Mellors Elliot Motorsport (MEM) team, the duo was the fastest in four out of the six stages.

They finished 22 seconds ahead of Josh Moffett/Stephen Thornton and 49 seconds ahead of Stephen Petch/Michael Wilkinson. Both of those teams were in Ford Fiesta RS WRCs.

“It’s great to be back on the top step of the podium! Ian Windress and I thoroughly enjoyed the Grizedale Stages Rally,” said Ollie on Facebook. “Thanks to all the team at Mellors Elliot Motorsport for the Proton Iriz R5, it is certainly an impressive car and once again it ran faultlessly.”

These are impressive finishes for Proton, which is heading into the World Rally Championship in the WRC2 category as well as the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) in 2018. Rallying legend and double WRC champion, Marcus Grönholm, has even tested the Proton Iriz R5 in Wales.

To comply with R5 and WRC2 class regulations, the R5 has a 4B11T turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, with cylinders reduced to 1.6 litres from 2.0 litres. An Xtrac transmission, all-wheel drive system, Reiger suspension, Brembo brakes and Cosworth electronics complete the R5.

Image credit - James Ward (Chicane Media)