Proton Satria Neo S2000 driver Alister McRae has been awarded second outright in the season ending IRC Rally of Scotland following the exclusion of the winning Peugeot piloted by Irishman Kris Meeke. Proton’s ex-driver Guy Wilks, who now drives a Skoda Fabia, has been declared the winner.
Scotsman McRae reveled in his appearance on home soil, just seven days after almost capturing a podium on the Rally of China in a similar Satria Neo S2000. He made it this time by finishing third, giving Proton its first ever podium in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Meeke, the 2009 IRC champion was faulted by the stewards for having a front subframe that is lighter than permitted.
McRae, a former British and Asia-Pacific champion who now lives in Perth, was delighted with the Mellors Elliott Motorsport Proton Satria Neo S2000 and says he now the wants to do more rallies in the car in 2010. “The Proton chassis is one of the best I have ever driven. We’re doing the full IRC next year. We are looking forward to coming back and fighting these guys again,” he said.
The Satria Neo S2000 was only homologated in October 2008. It made its debut on the IRC in June at the Belgium Ypres Rally and the car has quickly shown its potential.
Team principal Chris Mellors has confirmed that a full IRC campaign alongside an attack on the Asia Pacific series is already in preparation for 2010. He said that the team is looking at a four-car program for 2010 – two in the IRC and two in the FIA Asia-Pacific Championship.
The Satria’s 2.0-litre Super 2000 engine is derived from the 1.8 litre Renault engine fitted to the Waja and has been further developed by MEM to produce a reliable 278bhp at 7600rpm with a usable power band from 5,500 to 8,500rpm. It uses a six-speed sequential Xtrac 4WD gearbox, one of two control transmission systems allowed under FIA rules. For a more in-depth technical view see Paul’s earlier post.
[zenphotopress number=999 album=654]
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Paul Tan
on 
Solen
on 
bart
on 
Zidane
on 
MyDear
on 
mega
on 
Silv3r
on 
donno
on 
k
on 
teamlosi
on 
Arian
on 
i wish
on 
msi
on 
Premium
on 
Afif Hamzah
on 
zeroneight2850988com
on 
waklanproton
on 
BeRrY
on 
Littlefire
on 
lo
on 
HOONG
on 
nmh
on 
syaz
on 
trav_da_man
on 
Khairi
on 
Eazy
on 
mitlanevo
on 
awak
on 
NA
on 
nmfairus
on 
ridox_orimabu
on 
karl
on 
hiruma kecil
on 
farghmee
on 
lastLY
on 
ibnu sani
on 
Eyesore
on 
eadgez
on 
Automotive_Critics
on 
Josh-Ua
on 
rally_fan
on 
kerelbort
on 
theking
on 
red7
on 
msian
on 
Kin
on 
fredo
on 
Hazri
on 
AKIM
on 
Hazri
on 
ecah
on 
Danny Tan (Member)
on 
ClosetFan
on 
pennstater
on 
Mazda 3 MPS
on 
angel
on 
patiniox
on 
JACK HAMMER
on 
good job
on 
WhiteFox
on 
shawal
on 
haha
on 
scgtimk1
on 
Angel
on 
litespeed
on 
@nti@ntiPerOdua
on 
Hadi1975
on 
Improve
on 
man
on 
mohdjiman
on 
faizal
on 
zaeidos
on 
tokmoh
on 
apadda
on 
nudin
on 
Kamal Halim
on 
midrange
on 
sam
on 
Raz
on 
herry
on 
AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments highly praised Proton for its rally success, especially the Proton Satria Neo S2000's performance and chassis, which received admiration for being among the best driven. Many expressed pride and hope for future models and rally achievements, with some noting the car's potential if fitted with better engines. There were also discussions on Proton’s quality issues, safety concerns, and comparisons to other brands. Overall, sentiments were overwhelmingly positive and supportive of Proton's motorsport efforts.