Malaysian Rally: Proton first and third in APRC on Day 2, while Cusco Neo leads in the APRC Junior Cup

It was a very good day at work for Proton Motorsports and the Satria Neo S2000 on Day 2 of the Malaysian Rally in Johor, with Chris Atkinson currently placed first overall and Alister McRae in third at the end of a day which saw a host of big names fall.

Indeed, it’s all going to plan for the team in its challenge for the APRC-related honours in the event, though the weather certainly made for an interesting time for all; a downpour hours before the start of the day’s stages turned what should have been dry and dusty conditions into a muddy and slippery rally.

Malaysian Rally: Proton first and third in APRC on Day 2, while Cusco Neo leads in the APRC Junior Cup

Atkinson led from the start of special stage 2, powering into a four-second advantage over McRae at the end of the 32.30 km charge at the Tai-Tak Plantation in Kota Tinggi. By the following 24.49 km SS 3, Atkinson’s lead had swelled to 37.8 seconds ahead of the Lancer Evo X of Team MRF’s Gaurav Gill.

McRae was forced to reduce his pace at that point to contain an overheating problem, which was later resolved. The problem, which cost him more than four minutes, was found to be caused by debris and vegetation blocking the air path to the radiator through the front bumper grille.

Malaysian Rally: Proton first and third in APRC on Day 2, while Cusco Neo leads in the APRC Junior Cup

With a slightly worn right rear driveshaft on his S2000 replaced during the first service interval, Atkinson proceeded to stretch his lead to 1 minute 17.4 seconds in SS 5, which was a repeat run of the 32.30km Tai-Tak special stage.

Gaining another three seconds in SS 6 and a further 24 seconds in SS 7 before finally conceding four seconds in the last stage of the day, which was a 2.5km super special, Atkinson heads into the third and final day of the rally later today with a 1 minute 40.4 seconds lead over Gaurav Gill.

“I must admit I had a good day. There wasn’t much trouble and the car ran smoothly. I hope everything stays the same tomorrow,” Atkinson said.

Meanwhile, the Proton Cusco Rally Team, running in Group N 1600cc Satria Neos, also managed a good run today in the Junior Cup. Akira Bamba ended the day eighth overall as the fastest 1600cc two-wheel drive entry, and leads in the APRC Junior Cup category. Team mate Kosuke Takashino is just behind at ninth overall.

Malaysian Rally: Proton first and third in APRC on Day 2, while Cusco Neo leads in the APRC Junior Cup

There were certainly enough retirements, with the list headed by ex-APRC champion Cody Crocker, who went off the road. He was later joined by former British rally champion Mark Higgins, Pertamina Cusco Racing’s Rifat Sungkar and team mate Yuya Sumiyama, Japanese driver Katsuhiko Taguchi, Saladin Mazlan and Karamjit Singh, which added up to seven the number of top-seeded drivers eliminated.

The third and final day of the Malaysian Rally will be run today over seven special stages, totalling 79.80 km. You can check out the stage-by-stage results available throughout the race here.

Photographs courtesy of Gary Lee of Proton Motorsports.

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