PROTONR5NEARS HOMOLOGATION
Newiriz gets official papersin december
The British-built Proton Iriz R5 is closing on its FIA homologation inspection and could be seen in competitive World Rally Championship action at January’s Monte Carlo Rally.
The Mellors Elliot Motorsport-built car has been in development since 2016, with MEM team principal Chris Mellors’ son doing the majority of test work. Two-time world champion Marcus Gronholm also completed test mileage in the Iriz late last year.
“December 1 is the homologation date,” said Mellors. “Now the paperwork is done they [the FIA] are really just coming to check the size and weight we have put forward are as specified.
“We are a small team and homologation has taken longer than perhaps we would have wanted, but saying that we’ve made quite a few changes and improvements as we’ve gone along and it’s pretty good now, it’s a fabulous car.
“Marcus [Gronholm] was stunned by it, he was fantastic. I’d like to have him back before too long to just see how far we’ve got with the development. I’d like to have his input and I think he’s keen so it will be nice to get him back in during the not too distant future.”
Mellors confirmed Monte is the target for the car’s WRC debut, and that more cars are currently in build to add to MEM’S test car, which is set for asphalt running next week.
“We’ve got three more cars in build,” added Mellors.“we’ve sold two, so it’s starting to come together now. We would like to go to Monte. We want to have everything signed off and see how the [homologation] inspection goes. There’s plenty of time to put an entry in after that.”