The battle that is now been fought out in Internet forums, Facebook comments and Youtube videos once took place in the manliest motoring world championship, the WRC. One of the rarest of all World Rally Cars, the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC is set to take to the track at Mondello Park for the #HEROSPEC rally sprint on the 20-21st of January 2018. Well, if Subaru is to return to the WRC, they won’t do it with an Impreza anymore. Toyota’s successful return to the WRC in 2017 – when they won their second event – may well be the catalyst for Subaru’s much-anticipated return. The wraps came off the latest addition to the flourishing R5 class when the new Mitsubishi R5 was launched at the Rallyday show at Castle Combe race circuit in England last weekend (20 September). There has already been reports that Mitsubishi are eyeing a return to the World Rally Championship, as reported in RallySport Magazine last month. While Subaru has hinted a LMP1 entry recently, Mitsubishi has been awfully quiet about their sporting ambitions. The Mitsubishi Lancer WRC Returns to Ireland! It has been almost a decade since a Mitsubishi Lancer WRC last competed on Irish soil, but that’s all going to change in 2018 as one will return for #HEROSPEC! "I want to support this [return].

Mitsubishi pulled out of the WRC in 2005 after their Lancer WRC (different from the Evo) provided lacklustre performance and results in 2004 and 2005. "Many fans remember Toyota, Subaru and Mitsubishi and I hope the WRC coming to Japan will stimulate not only Toyota, but all the manufacturers - we would like to see them back. This is what Gazoo Racing is about - we are not only thinking about Toyota, we are working for the good of the sport." Mitsubishi will return to the World Rally Championship with a ‘Manufacturer Two’ entry next season.

WRX vs. Evo. Since 2008, both brands have abandoned the championship. Aussie Chris Atkinson was part of the legendary Subaru World Rally Team in the WRC.