Mitsubishi's WRCars: KX53 BFV

KX53 BFV was the second new-spec Lancer WRC Mitsubishi built for testing and show purposes in 2003 (the other being KX53 AOB).

During a test session in 2004;
note some of the differences the final version has compared to this (Mitsubishi)

Gilles and Hervé Panizzi on a test

Although midway through 2004 the car disappeared, and everybody labeled it as scrapped - until 2012, when Tristan Bailey drove the car on its first ever rally! And after the first shock I realized that this is the one and only Lancer WRC still with a 2004 spec chassis (from 2005, cars longer than 4m could be 1800mm wide instead of 1770). He is still driving the car, which was refurbished just before the 2013 season.

On the Nicky Grist Stages 2012 (Tom Banks)

On the TSH Stages 2013 (M and H Photography)

2014
This year, their first rally was the Subaru WRC Spares TSH Stages Rally, an event they won last year. This time around they got beaten by an S12 Impreza WRC.
The second event was the Rainworth Skoda Dukeries Rally. They didn't have too much luck here, as they had to retire with intercooler problems.
They finished the Nicky Grist Quinton Stages in 7th place. And finally got a picture after discovering Tristan's Twitter account! :)

Nicky Grist Quinton Stages 2014 (Tristan Bailey Twitter)

Their next rally was the Woodpecker Stages, and against heavy opposition (two 2007 spec Focus WRCs, an S12b and an S5 Impreza), they collected a solid 7th place.

Ready to be loaded before the Woodpecker Stages (Tristan Bailey Twitter)

And in competition, 2014 Woodpecker Stages (Twitter)

Tristan entered the Wales Rally GB Nationals, which marked the -well, not full- return of a Lancer WRC to a WRC event, and the first time a 2004 spec Lancer ran a (semi-)WRC event since the 2004 Rallye Catalunya. They finished 4th despite a faulty sensor in the gearbox that resulted in Tristan having to use the manual gear lever, and lift the throttle at every gear change.

2014 Wales Rally GB Nationals (MML Sports)

2016
They returned to action on the Somerset Stages. Everything went well until the 5th stage (they were up to 4th place and 3s behind the podium), where the gearbox gave up. They reached the service, but were unable to make repairs, so they had to retire.

Ready to be put on the trailer a bit too early, Somerset Stages 2016 (Tristan Bailey Twitter)

Their next event was the Severn Valley Stages, which consisted of such legendary stages as Crychan and Radnor. They had a couple of problems and mistakes, and eventually finished 10th overall and 5th in the category.

Scrutineering, Severn Valley Stages 2016 (Severn Valley Stages facebook)

Engine bay, Severn Valley Stages 2016 (Severn Valley Stages facebook)

Severn Valley Stages 2016 (Neil James)

Next up was Rallyday, a famous show event at the Castle Combe Circuit. Ralliart/MML Sports have always tried to be present at every year; this time, Tristan and the team showed up to have some fun and present this very unique car.

Rallyday 2016 (Rallyday facebook)

Her next event was the Trackrod Forest Stages, but this time not with Tristan - Ryan Champion and Alan Harryman have taken over the car. Obviously, they needed some time to get used to the car, but had a good event (apart from some spins and boost issues early on), and not only did they bring the car home in one piece, they finished 3rd overall! Well done!

Trackrod Forest Stages 2016 (Special Stage UK twitter)

Trackrod Forest Stages 2016 podium celebration (Trackrod Rally twitter)

Next up was the Wydean Stages, and Tristan Bailey was back in the driver's seat. Thy started well, lying 3rd after the opening two stages, but a crash on the 3rd damaged the car very badly, although it looks worse than it really is.

Wydean Stages 2016 (Tristan Bailey twitter)

2018
For 2018, Tristan and MMR Rallysport have relocated their HQ to Ireland, so it was no surprise to see them at Mondello Part, on the Irish rally season opener. The event had a very strong entry list, and after all, they finished 10th overall - and made sure everybody enjoyed seeing the Lancer!

Herospec Rallysprint 2018 (internet)

2019
In 2019, BFV ventured into unknown territories: the Austrian Rally Challenge, precisely the Niederösterreich Rallye with Franz Sonnleitner. Unfortunately, on the first day they retired after the first stage, and on the second, on the first one.

Niederösterreich Rallye 2019 (Harald Illmer / ir7.at)

Update 2020.02.01: She has been sold to Austria last year, likely to Franz Sonnleitner / Sonnleitner Racing. I wish him all the best with the car!

2022

In 2022, the car returned for two events: the Perger Mühlstein Rallye and the Austrian Rally Legends. On the Mühlstein Rallye, they faced a serious opposition not only in the form of R5/Rally2 cars, but from a 2006 Focus WRC as well. They did very well though, and finished 4th overall!