FIA awards Official Group N homologation to the Mitsubishi Lancer X

MITSUBISHI LANCER Evolution X Gains FIA Group N homologation

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation submitted to the Federation Internationale de L'automobile (FIA) papers on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X (chassis type CZ4A) for Group N Official homologation, receiving that recognition on August 1st 2008. The FIA Group N Official homologation number is "N-5718."
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, the competition model equipped with the turbocharged MIVEC engine, acquired official recognition from the FIA for Group N homologation. It is expected that the high-powered FIA Group N machine will be active in rally competition including in the FIA Production Car world Rally Championship (PWRC), FIA regional championships, and a variety of domestic championships in the future.
RALLIART INC. (President: Masao Taguchi) "In an attempt to improve our Mitsubishi-running entrants' convenience, we have published on our website a new "Group N Information" section, with homologation and competition information etc. on all models from the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI onwards. As for the homologation information and rules, these are the officially recognized versions. There are also details on obtaining the car, and a sample of the official rulebook has also been published. In the near future, information on parts and additional officially recognized parts (VO) information for Group N vehicles that this company sells will be introduced onto the site.

K. Taguchi's Group N Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X for 08 Rally Japan

Katsuhiko Taguchi's Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Group N Specs

Pending final homologation, K. Taguchi's Group N Evo X was displayed to the public following the announcement of the new Rally Japan sponsor, Pioneer carrozzeria. The Group N Evo X also served as course cars in last year's Rally Japan. After final homologation, these rally machines will be in official competition.

BRR's Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Group N Spec

BRR's Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Group N Spec

BRR, a company in Austria that prepare cars for rally competition, has published pictures of their Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Group N Spec rally car. Enjoy the Gallery...

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Group N car

Serving now as Course Car ("0" and "00" cars) in Raly Japan. FIA Group N homologation to follow mid 2008.

Ceremonial Start

Shakedown

Leg 1

Leg 1


Leg 2

Leg 3

Super 2000s Race at Condroz

In an unusual rally-long battle at the Condroz Rally in Belgium this weekend, Bryan Bouffier and Freddy Loix enjoyed a remarkable fight - for the honour of fastest zero car.

Armed with the latest Super 2000 cars - respectively the prototype Peugeot 207 RCup and the VW Polo S2000 on its first appearance outside South Africa, these cars provided more than just enjoyment for the drivers and spectators. This was an opportunity for the FIA's newly-formed Permanent Bureau (announced at the World Motor Sport Council meeting on 18 October) to further study the relative performances of the Super 2000 and Group N specifications of car. Both Super 2000 and Group N will be eligible for the 2007 FIA Production car World Rally Championship.

Of the two Super 2000 cars, the Polo driven by veteran Belgian driver Freddy Loix was usually quicker than the 207 driven by the Frenchman, who had not competed on these stages before. Originally it was hoped that Loix would make the competition debut for the Polo in Europe but last-minute homologation delays prevented this from happening. The Peugeot had always been scheduled to appear in actual competition after 1st January 2007.

On virtually every stage of the rally, the quickest Group N was the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX of former J-WRC driver Larry Cols. This gave a steady yardstick to compare the relative performance of the heavier turbocharged Group N cars and the lighter, normally aspirated Super 2000s.

As it transpired, stage times recorded by the organisers for the zero cars indicated a remarkable similarity between the cars of Loix and Cols, both experienced over the stages. A spokesman for Rene Georges, the company running Loix' Polo, admitted the team had an advantage over Cols, in that they were permitted longer service intervals. He also said that as it had only received the car three weeks prior to the event and had one day useful testing, he felt that there was still potential to come but that the company was pleasantly surprised that the car was so competitive.

Unusual in another respect, the Condroz organisers allowed World Rally Cars to run on an FIA regional championship event, and these cars took the top three places, headed by Francois Duval in a Skoda Fabia WRC.

-WRC.com