PROTON IRIZ R5 TEST DRIVE ON OFFER FOR MN VICTOR
Winner of Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship will get the test
A chance-of-a-lifetime test drive in a Proton Iriz R5 will be the prize for the winner of this season’s Motorsport News Circuit
Rally Championship.
The prize has been offered by preparation firm Mellors Elliot Motorsport which has developed the car alongside two-time World Rally champion Marcus Gronholm.
The MN winner will get an hour’s running behind the wheel of the Iriz, which was homologated earlier this year and will be at the championship’s media day launch, at a yet-to-be-determined location as well as feedback and analysis from the Mellors Elliot team.
Ben Mellors, who is part of the management team at Mellors Elliot Motorsport, said: “At MEM we think the idea of running a championship over the winter period is great, coupled with being highly competitive and having some quick up-and-coming drivers. The prize drive is a perfect way to support the championship and add that extra incentive to take the overall championship title.”
Ian Woodhouse, who won the MN Circuit Championship in 2016/17, believes it should encourage more people to take part in the championship.
“It’s definitely an incentive and it’s a prize money can’t buy,” he said.
“The championship just seems to be getting bigger and bigger, better and better. It’s something very special – it’s very rare just to sit in an R5 let alone have the chance to drive one.
“It should bring in more competition really.”
Woodhouse will be returning to the championship later this year after his Ford Escort Mk2 underwent a full rebuild.
He plans to contest the Dukeries Rally at Donington Park in October before committing full-time to the MN Circuit Championship.
The championship will officially be launched at the media day on September 12 at Oulton Park, with the opening round – the Neil Howard Stages – also taking place at the Cheshire venue in November.
The championship will then visit Cadwell Park, Knockhill, Brands Hatch, return to Cadwell, Snetterton and Anglesey.
The championship concludes at Donington Park in March 2020 for the first time.