The Fabia S2000 was also a bit higher than competition and it was a winner. This Iriz has a good wheel base and they can stretch it to R5 max width, so being a few more mms tall isn't a drama.
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I saw the Proton Iriz today at Goodwood. If nothing else, it sounds good! Very early days set up wise, but it didn't look overly slow.
I got one clip of it if anyone cares to see it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_nZaHe16rU
Don't get me wrong but I believe that Škoda had a lot more resources than MEM to cope with it. To have a handicap at the start is bigger problem for smaller teams with lower budget. With Satria they actually had an advantage in the size of the bodyshell and even with that they could not make it fully competitive. What I wanted to say is that now they are not in better situation.
Prestone MSA BRC @MSA_BRC
We have had a good look around the striking Proton Iriz built to R5 spec by @mellorselliot @fosgoodwood. Exciting things to come!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDp-Y2sXcAAKFPU.jpg
So what are peoples thoughts on the Hyundai R5?
It seems to have been entered in a reasonable number of events, often with perhaps not the fastest drivers and has had pretty average results. Obviously Ypre was a little different, but even then with a top line WRC driver in it, it doesn't appear to have been that much quicker than any of the other R5 cars.
Also from watching the footage of Paddon in France last weekend he certainly was on the limit in places by the looks and yes he did have some issues, but was still comfortably beaten by a WRC2 driver. Yes I know tarmac isn't his preferred surface, but he is a WRC driver which should surely count for a lot given the ability to test/prepare/have the best of everything.
So is the Hyundai a bit of an average car, without that last little bit to be as competitive as the Skoda and Ford?
I think you are right. It seems Hyundai is a reliable car, without many technical issues, but it isn't as fast as Ford or Skoda. As far as I know i20 R5 hasn't won any important international rally. It has to be mentioned though, that there aren't many top drivers who drive this car on a regular basis. Giandomenico Basso is probably the only exception.
But success is still possible in this car. Iván Ares won Rallye de Ferrol on the last weekend in the Spanish rally championship.
Final results:
http://www.autoklub.pl/news/foto/201...708_77760h.jpg
http://www.autoklub.pl/news/foto/201...708_77760h.jpg
Marijan Griebel is going to try Hyundai R5 in a few days:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc-junior-gr...warm-up-rally/
Neuville debuted new jokers in Ypres, Pernía with same specs in Ferrol.
Afaik, Hyundai is much expensive than Ford, and performance not much better.
This is the bit I struggle with, does anyone know (and is allowed to talk about) the actual cost of the various R5s? I assume the Skoda is more expensive, and the faster car, but the Ford isn't far behind in price or performance?
And from what I have heard the Ford is easier to maintain/get work done on it, whereas Skoda Motorsport need to be involved more in servicing of cars they produce? But of course this is all conjecture based on rumour, so curious if anyone is able to confirm any of it?
But totally agree, the Hyundai doesn't seem to have many top line drivers so far, perhaps struggling to break into the market? Seems that perhaps they need someone good in the car for a decent period of time to prove it's ability?
Fiesta is reasonably cheaper both to buy and to run than Fabia, also thanks to the low GBP exchange rate after Brexit referendum. Also the customer support from M-Sport is the best You can get among all R5 on the market.