Welch Motorsports, which ran a Proton Persona built to Next Generation Touring Car series specifications in the second half of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, is set to expand its presence in the championship to two NGTC-regulation Protons for the full 2012 race season.
The 2011 car began participation just after the mid-season break, debuting at Snetterton, driven by Daniel Welch, the son of team principal John Welch. It’s the second NGTC car to compete with the TOCA engine, which is built by Swindon Engines – the NGTC-spec “unbranded” turbo direct injection electronic throttle engine has a 2.0 litre displacement and makes over 300 horses, with the option for an overboost as well.
The current Proton Persona BTCC car has in the meantime gone on display in the UK at Surrey-based West End Garage’s showroom in Woking. As the supplying Proton dealer for Welch Motorsport, WEG will have the BTCC vehicle on show for a bit, and has sent us some photos of the car on display.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments mostly express pride and excitement that Proton's chassis is being used in BTCC racing, recognizing it as a positive achievement for Malaysian automotive engineering despite some debates about the car's parts and regulations. Enthusiasts highlight Proton's participation as a significant milestone, praising the chassis design and supporting the national brand. There are discussions about the engine, with some skeptical about its real performance but others intrigued by Proton's potential. Several comments show support for Proton's involvement, emphasizing the importance of showcasing local strength on an international stage. Off-topic remarks, criticism, or comparisons are filtered out, leaving sentiments generally proud, optimistic, and curious about future developments in Proton's racing endeavors.