The Proton R3 Malaysia Rally Team seem to be going from strength to strength, as they recently achieved a commendable result at the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, San Remo round in Italy. Frenchman Gilles Panizzi, who drove the Satria Neo S2000, finished 18th in the S2000 category and 20th overall, within massive a field of 101 competitors.
Proton had no intention of entering the San Remo Rally and only participated due to the cancelation of the Indonesian Rally. Even then, their entry was purely for development purposes.
“Overall, Proton’s outing in San Remo has been great. For an event that we did not plan to compete in much earlier and only decided on after the cancellation of the Rally of Indonesia, the result in San Remo and especially on tarmac was commendable. More importantly, it enabled the team to make tremendous gains in terms of further developing the Satria Neo S2000 given Panizzi’s vast experience and the pivotal role he previously played in helping to develop the Peugeot Super S2000 rally machine,” said Proton Group Managing Director Dato’ Syed Zainal Abidin.
The big hitters such as Peugeot, Skoda, Fiat, Ford and Honda occupied the top spots. The first ten of the 20 spots were all Peugeot Super S2000s, with Italian Paolo Andrerucci being crowned the winner of the event in the Peugeot 207 Super S2000. The four others were Skoda Fabia Super S2000, three in the Abarth Grand Punto S2000, one in a Ford Fiesta Super S2000 and another in a Honda Type R.
Unfortunately for Panizzi’s teammate, Niall McShea, his rally came to an abrupt end as his power steering pump seized up on the first day. A problem which the team says has never happened before. Out of the total 101 competitors, 40 suffered from retirements.
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I begin to feel that proton participation in IRC is somewhat a joke. did this really a part of proton strategic plan in motor sport involvement?
How many IRC events did they entered in 2010 season? 2?
No privateer want to buy their car for rallying (which will bring in the money for further R&D) until the ‘works’ team (which is principally a privateer team themselves) have some sort of full participation track records in IRC and proves its worth. so far, the results are full of disappointment.
Looking at their stage time, the car is still quite far off from the others.
In the real world, there is no allowance for being new in the field or government protection…. here the playing field is even and the same rules applied to every teams. The most consistent output from the neos2000 so far is its unreliability in actual rally events.
Rarely did the neo s2000 able to finish rally nor finish it in commendable position. I beg to differ. Finishing 18th or 20th out of 60+ participants (who finish the rally) is not commendable.
Bottom line, their better expedite and get serious in the neo s2000 development or just forget about it. Others manufacturers, whether active in IRC or planning to enter never stop develop and improve their machines. I’m just afraid for the possibility that by the time proton and mellor ‘completed’ their R&D, neos2000 is already not competitive. That would just be a waste.. Many people are hoping that neo s2000 would be able to fly the flag high. its being rather too long in the tooth. Cepat lah sikit!
there is two privateer that have purchased the car,one is an italian,gian luca acerbis(or something like that),the other is tom cave(run as semi-works.)
Thanks for the info.
By the way, how many IRC rally events (let say since 2009) have these privateer / privateers teams entered with the neo s2000? how many neo s2000 have they bought? any stellar results achieved?
I’ve been following the IRC since its inception (ini bukan nak cakap besar.. i just like rally) and by now feel proton and mellor don’t have time to do R&D at this pace. what they doing now are not enough. every time sing the same song, every time, neo s2000 are full of problems and did not finish. if you look back, you’ll realise that they don’t deliver what they promised earlier.
Did anyone notice that Guy Wilks are doing fine in the Skoda (even though he must want to be even better).
Enough of entering international events just to be in the top 10. every manufacturer able to do that. Proton must be in the top 3 manufacturers. If not better spend their resources concentrate in making their road cars better and more reliable.
and to awg1031,
throw away that pathetic attitude of yours. IRC is not like the malaysia automotive industry where proton enjoy protection from the G.
Once you enter competition like IRC, you enter to win and make money. If can’t, better bail out. proton and mellor has being doing this for >2 years already.
Until now, they can’t even deliver acceptable results. consistency? far from it.
Imagine if Skoda or Peugeot performed like this, many heads will roll. If you still think my earlier comment is demanding, what the heck, i believe its only right to demand excellent result. anyone who think otherwise better dont enter competition. IRC is a competition, not an exhibition event.
kalau sekadar masuk untuk hadirkan diri and tiap2 kali kalah kena belasah, baik jangan masuk.. buat malu MALAYSIA saja.
better try than do nothing..
bro what car you are using? i’m sure this bro used Porsche and above level cars!
anyway, just sit and watch and listen jela bro..if cannot jugak..dont argue too much..even dulu malaysia takda KLIA, KLCC, blablabla no one noes malaysia..and ramai jugak yang complain time those tings nak contruction dulu kata tak boleh pakai lah..useless lah..rugi lah apa lah..but now..everyone can see the output..tak silap org yg banyak complain tu pulak yg slalu guna…macam bro lah..ntah2 bro complan, tapi bro sendiri pun pakai kancil je tak..??? this is not just a ‘competition’ it self, its about others as well…those S2000 Neo is not purchased my m’sian but outsider..harapkan org malaysia sendiri, jangan kata kereta..baju pun nak beli import punya..macam you jugak la bro…mana nak beli and pandang brand malaysia, bro mesti tgk burberry je kan??well its all about minding coz kita malaysian people ni not like korean and japanese which proud with thier own country tak kira good or bullshit.kalau bukan rakyat sendiri sapa mau sokong?
anyway, “kalau sekadar masuk untuk hadirkan diri and tiap2 kali kalah kena belasah, baik jangan masuk.. buat malu MALAYSIA saja” Subaru pun banyak kali tersadai dalam RC.Mits pun…biasa la bro..keta modified..salah buat poblem la..macam bro jugak…tuka exzos keta tu,kan dah bising and FC naek..lagi pun RC/WRC/IRC ke ape ke..its all about cost…malaysia mana ada org nak sponsor sgt rally2 ni..ingat murah ke bro keta Rally ni..mahal bro…suspension je dah brape puluh ribu..mana ada org mesia mampu bro…so harapkan org luar jela..so sykur jela bro..yang ada tu pun Felda Rally je..tu pun qualification Group N je banyak..sebabnya..? bro pun tau kot..? most of the spec as per NA…mod sikit2 je boleh compared to Group A..nak kata menang kalah…so many people proud ngan Manchaster United..tapi ada kalah menang jugak…well come on la bro..belajar2 dulu starting..nanti mana tau kot Proton dah Anivrsary ke 100th ke…dat time dah power? back 5, 10, 15 and 25 years…ramai je complain proton..tapi skang ni makin besepah je on road..and the design, quality, perfomance and technology been improve day by day..slow2 pun tapi begerak tak pe la..at least takde la proton ni macam china market nye product kan..
ok lah..cita banyak pun tak guna sebab bro lagi teror bab2 camni..chow bro. take care.
bro, u r pathetic…u talk too much and the worse part, u know nothing bout the neo s2000..pity u..
agree with u.. he talks so much..
For once i agree with you here. I did following the Proton Satria Neo s2000 developments in both IRC & Asia Pacific championships and the car retired more than finishing the rallies. Dissapointment more than success.
Well i have to agree that this car has alot of potential as agreed by many rally specialist but seeing nobody bought this car for rallying (by privateers) and the car cuaght with more DNF more than podium positions raised me some doubts.
Regardless what, 2011 will be a interesting year where in WRC all cars will be based on s2000 using turbocharged 1.6cc engines. Let see if Mellor will enter the Satria Neo in WRC.
Yeah, I have high hope on Mellor effort to bring Proton back to glory in WRC.
Hi Ford_GT,
When did Proton ever had glory in WRC?
Do you watch Karamjit Singh in action in early 90’s in when he compete for PWRC
class in WRC and APRC event;
Here’s the Asia Pacific Rally Championship 96 video;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2en8j96_DY
Even KIA cars had to be at the bottom list before, bankrupt and taken over by hyundai, but now look at them.
I’m not comparing Kia with Proton, but by the way u write, it’s like u know everything about rally cars. Surely you’re not as since ur not a rally driver or journalist like the person I know of.
KIA did not enter WRC, Acerman…..Hyundai does until they pulled out from WRC in year 2003. Neither I am not a rally driver nor journalist or reporter….it’s about enthusiasm and passion sport.
improvement!
what are you babbling about? i love to see proton racing with other crowds and it’s good to see them..at least it does not sell ‘Malaysia’ name like those F1 car..prfttt~
beside, it’s not like they can suddenly win..like that every manufacturer should be the same from the start lah! you are so DEMANDING and not supportive..
U mmg double standard… 1 side talk kok bout “beside, it’s not like they can suddenly win..like that every manufacturer should be the same from the start lah! you are so DEMANDING and not supportive..” another side bash 99 F1 team, “what are you babbling about? i love to see proton racing with other crowds and it’s good to see them..at least it does not sell ‘Malaysia’ name like those F1 car..prfttt~”, truely 1 malaysia! Malaysia boleh!!!
It is one beautiful car.
damn cun ar this neo,, nice graphic
btw proton will compete full season next year.
This isn’t real,becoz this P not using the P1 engine….took somebody’s “heart” n treat as their own….mo ngan tai!
yah!!! no diff like street racer convert their wira to evo.
intermilan,
u just see nothing here u are barely Blind, look wat our neo are did better den our F1.
so how worst our F1. until today all is running as DNF. all have problem with engine.
look at our neo always can finish the race line still running good result. 101 compatitor and 40 is out ? <– for me 40 is out is aint a easy race . and our neo still can able to get 20? i felt is very good result. compare to our freaking ass F1.
which is wasted and invest wrong places . i rather ask them invest in rally more then F1.
Finished 18th in the S2000 category and 20th overall, within 101 competitors (minus 40 who DNF) is still not good. Mediocre at best.
How can 18/61 or 20/61 be acceptable or call very good?
Since when being mediocre is acceptable or good?
And lets not mixed rally with F1.
yada yada intermilan talk to much ..
to much ke, too much ke, thanks for reading.
tak bace pun bro…bace 2 3 patah je sebab ramai org macam bro kat paultan ni..so dah tau apa content seterusnya..bash bash bash a lil bit supportive and then bash.
gaye cakap je lebih kot mamat inter ni.
mana ada orang/pasukan yg baru masuk mana2 pertandingan tu terus2 je tibe2 boleh jadi BEST CHAMPION. mula dari bawah la weih, tak boleh la belum meniarap tapi dah sebok2 nak berlari pecut pulak.
sekurang-kurangnye, sokong la sikit apa2 usaha dan penglibatan Malaysia kat mata dunia tu. tak salah kalo nak komen/kritik, tapi jgn la sampai tahap BLIND BASHING sampaikan mata dan telinga si pembaca tu bernanah pulak membaca dan mendengar hasil nukilan anda yang sedikit pun tak membina tu~ agak2 ar kan. belajar tinggi2, letak akal depan lutut pulak.
bila org beria2 sokong Malaysia, ko cakap la berbagai2; BOLEHLAND la, ape la. bukan ke semangat cintakan negara/nasionalisme tu suatu yang positif dan bagus dan boleh secara langsung memajukan jati diri anak bangsa negara ni?
sila guna akal yg Tuhan dah beri. tingkatkan prestasi, elakkan STUPIDITY a.k.a. BLIND BASHING. sape makan cili dialah yang menganga menahan pedas.
Hello,
Proton (through Mellor) have been participating in IRC for a few years already.
They are not new in IRC, but being passive and not entering as many IRC rally events as the other manufacturers. And when they participate, the results are always not good and the same excuse were been touted around, the car got lots of potential + in development stage.
Get you facts right before you start typing. If cannot, go fly kite.
2 years?? then you want to compare with those entered this competiton yang dah 20 tahun? aiseh…tapi bro..nak salahkan proton pun tak boleh jugak bro…bro kene salahkan mellor tu sebab sape soh gune engine lain…?yang problem engine/system ke body eh..? hehew…so make it short body by proton tu kire Good lah kan..yang problem engine ke gearbox ke ape ke…so lets blame Renault lah bro kan…even engine renault tu penah taruh kat waja pun which is under Proton name..tapi Renault is still renault..so jom lah bash renault…kesian la pulak kat proton yg tak bersalah…ni kire kes macam bro pakai skyline tapi engine kancil…tak laju org tak complain sebab body skyline and nissan lagi tu…tapi cube kalo proton engine kancil…? whats the different..? beza pada nama je tu bro.
satu gerakan yang baik …Tahniah ucapkan kepada Proton , kebanggaan kita sebagai rakyat…bukannya baik jika menggunakan enjin sendiri hasil usaha iaitu CAMPRO untuk menguji kelasakan dan ketahanan enjin di rali yg dikatakan sunggguh mencabar itu??
Campro tak ada 2000cc la bro!
Engine Petronas e01 pun ngam jugak ni….mantap pun mantap…
regulation S2000 perlu enjin 2.0 N/A….4wd…even ford fiesta/skoda fabia mane ade 4wd kit….sume custom….manufaturer lain buat kenapa proton tak boleh buat???
dan dulu masa waja/proton impian masuk BTCC..pakai enjin yang sama jugak…fight ok jer dgn jenama keter lain…..sebab tu waja ada keluar special edition 1.8..dulu ada regulation untuk keter yang FIA homologated mesti keluar production minimum 2000unit…
tp sekarang rasanya ada kelonggaran kot…..kalau tak boleh merasa neo dgn enjin 1.8
ape pun….mmg proton tak masuk full season sbb diorang tumpu untuk R&D..lagipun no point masuk tahun ni sebab regulation S2000 spec WRC cuma berkuatkuasa tahun 2011 dan 2012 pulak kategori S2000 ada 2jenis enjin….2.0 N/A dan 1.6T…so ada chance neo S2000 spec. ada 2enjin….2.0N/A 4WD dan jugak 1.6 camproT 4WD…
ape pun kalau keter dalam development stage mmg buat rugi jer masuk semua….check tahun 98/99…ford focus WRC 1st model dulu pun tak masuk full season….cuma bila dah konfident baru diorang masuk full championship….
Intermilan,
you are NATO (No Actions Talk Only)…..why don’t you support any Italian marque since you did mention P1 Neo is a flopper…? do cares when in commercial market Volvo are using Ford engines technology??? nothing is wrong, as long as they follow FIA regulations, it’s OK..after all it’s not your regulation man….4 P1…Keep It Up…
Hello,
Which team i support is my own business.
What Volvo and Ford do commercially got to do with my earlier comments or IRC or Proton involvement in IRC?
When Proton enter IRC, automatically they fly the Malaysia flag. Jalur Gemilang.
Being a manufacturer with continual weak results mean the national flag are fly low everytime. Where’s the Gemilang in that?
Think the rest care or give ‘discount’ if Proton are new in the arena?
Here, its either you win or you get lost. No one even care who’s the runner-up, let alone 18th place!
Don’t be pathetic.
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If Proton are serious about developing the car up to IRC competitive standard, they should be more aggresive in the testing (having more of them) by entering every single IRC events + other similarly competitive rally (mostly in Europe). Mixing it in APRC wouldn’t be good enough because the competition is not as fierce as what they will face in Europe rallies.
And to all of you who think I am blindly bashing Proton, read with wisdom.
u said no one care..? but obviously you seems cared la bro..
caring jugak rupenye bro ni…marah2 sayang bro ni…
anyway, i dont think proton put their mind to that extend skarang ni to focus on competiton sebab market proton more focus on consumer. those compotetion just to extract and some sort like perfomance advertising..tapi go back gostan, main point market sebenarnya…so harapkan brader2 remaja2 belia kita jela modofied kereta baru ley nampak.