SUBANG JAYA: Fresh from its commendable finish at last year’s Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), Proton Motorsports has kicked off its 2011 rallying campaigns in APRC and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC).
The national car manufacturer’s IRC campaign on the European front will be led by Chris Atkinson and newly-signed Per-Gunnar Andersson at the coming Rally of Monte Carlo from Jan 18-22, while Alister McRae will lead the team’s charge in the APRC which starts with the Rally of Malaysia from April 1-3.
The team will be using the Satria Neo S2000 rally car, which is based on the Proton Satria Neo hatchback.
The Satria Neo S2000 made its competition debut in the IRC 2009 and managed to consistently post top 10 finishes despite being a vehicle that was still undergoing development at that time.
The team’s best results in 2009 was a second placing at the Rally of Scotland and a fourth placing in the Rally of Russia.
In last year’s APRC, Proton secured second place in the APRC Manufacturer’s Championship with its best finish being a 1-2 victory in the Rally of China and a second place finish in the Rally of New Zealand.
McRae said the team was looking forward to better results including podium positions with the Satria Neo which is a much reliable machine now
"In our earlier races, we had to deal with reliability issues as the car was still new with bugs to work out. Now that we have locked in those issues, we only need to get the right suspension settings in each race," the Scotsman said at the team’s campaign launch at Proton’s Centre of Excellence here today.
"It’s always good to start a race season with a reliable car. After all, you need a reliable car to cross the finishing line," he said.
The Satria Neo S200 uses the production Satria Neo bodyshell which has been extensively modified to accept the S2000 components including a four-wheel drive system.
It is then strengthened to comply with FIA regulations by fitting a safety roll cage using 35 metres of ChroMo Steel Tube.
Powering the car is a Proton Waja 1.8-litre block which has been increased to 1,998cc and enhanced with racing components for an official power output of 278bhp at 7,600 rpm.
Transmitting power to the wheels is an Xtrac developed drivetrain system with a six-speed sequential gearbox, three plated limited slip differentials and handbrake release system.
Reigning the blistering speed are Alcon four-piston calipers at the front and rear wheels.
Also at the launch of the team’s campaign were Proton advisor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Proton managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.
Syed Zainal said motorsports was one of several key strategies being pursued to enhance the Proton branding especially in markets that the national car maker was actively exporting to.
"Proton’s objective of participating in both the IRC and APRC will significantly support our aspiration of becoming a respected and competitive global car manufacturer.
"Rallying not only serves as a proving ground for Proton but the viewership for both the IRC and APRC range in the millions and brings invaluable brand exposure to Proton and its partners on a global level," he said
Proton Motorsports also welcomed on board the Yasmin Group and Sime Kansai Paints as team partners which contributed a total sponsorship of RM1mil.
Via
Star Motoring
