More FIA Super 2000 World Rally Championship (SWRC) action for Proton, this time at Rally New Zealand which happens this weekend. With one victory after two rounds of the SWRC, Proton drivers PG Andersson and Alister McRae are hoping for a repeat of the dominant drive at Rally Sweden.
Andersson, who drove the Satria Neo S2000 to its maiden SWRC victory in his home rally, is currently fourth in the FIA SWRC Drivers’ Standings after with 25 points, while McRae is in eighth. The team chose not to compete in the Rally of Portugal due to Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) commitments.
Run over three days, Rally New Zealand will comprise of 22 special stages with a competitive distance of 413.94 km. Today’s Leg 1 will see drivers taking on eight SS with another seven stages on Saturday. Sunday’s third and final leg will be contested over seven special stages. The event starts in downtown Auckland before heading south to the beautiful coastal town of Raglan, around which Leg 1 is centered.
“It’s great to be back in SWRC again and what better place than New Zealand! This is a fantastic rally with incredible roads. The special stages are always really smooth, which means it’s not so demanding on the car – allowing you to have quite a straight race with the other drivers. With it being winter in New Zealand, though, this means we could be in for some rain or some changing weather. Let’s just see what comes. We are certainly there to chase another SWRC win,” PG said.
Rally New Zealand will also be somewhat of a homecoming for the Proton team, which had enjoyed a good run at the APRC Rally of Whangarei in March, when Andersson and McRae finished second and fourth respectively. While this event’s stages may not be identical, it will be similar enough for both Andersson and McRae to feel comfortable. Good luck guys!
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No Korean cars competing here…hoorayyyy…
Btw, Proton is no stranger to APRC. Karamjit Singh won APRC 3 times. So, I think that Proton should go another level higher instead of focusing on APRC.
Don’t worry, they’re also participating in the S-WRC.
Go,go,go Tiger!!!
This is not your father’s money. This is taxpayers’ money. Don’t waste it. Purposely. You CEO like racing sports, please use your own money.
So it is your mom’s money then? Read newspaper la idiot. Proton is not GLC anymore.
At least we have some moment of pride as proton brand did do Malaysia proud on ability to win some motor contest to reinforce our countryand motor industry image. On the other hand sad but true proton was kept alive through high car taxes we average Malaysian got to bear and extremely basic foreign models to keep Proton afloat and yet till today it can’t survive without gov protection.
Purposeless.
Why purposeless?? If Proton do well in the S-WRC and APRC will be good for the image and perception towards the brand. I agree that if Proton uses majority of the taxpayers fund for these rally commitments then they should not (they might be using their operating profit). It’s critical that Proton continue to produce cars of the best quality, all the brand marketing useless if they continue to produce mediocre products that frustrate owners. But have to admit the satria neo’s handling is one of the best in its class. :)
It’s purposeless only because the money doesn’t go into his back pocket.
U dont know ka?now no more taxpayer’s money oledi laaa…
What taxpayer’s money… they have been bought by drb… a privetely own company… so it’s the company’s money they are using to race now… not our money anymore…
There’s gonna be a whole bunch of pissed Evos out there.. The ‘lil guy is gonna beat them ALL! hahaha..
can anyone tell me where is da ‘legendary’ subaru and evo?
Nice job proton, due to huge success of this neo…please do marketing and facelift the neo. The neo exterior is good, but interior like 15 years old car. Why not proton use this as good marketing and improve their car….
Johor Sultan bought this car for his WWW 1 plate.
I think it is a good car.