Proton R3 Rally Team takes podium finish at NZ
The Proton R3 Rally Team continues to make steady progress in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), with Alister McRae & Bill Hayes taking their first podium finish with the Satria Neo S2000 rally car at the International Rally of Whangarei in New Zealand.
In the other Neo S2000, Chris Atkinson and Stephane Prevot were similarly pacey, but could not cross the finish line due to mechanical issues. Winning the rally was New Zealand ace Hayden Paddon and John Kennard, who piloted a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX.
After the race, McRae was full of compliments for the Neo S2000, saying, “The car has been unbelievable. This Proton is just fantastic, it’s one of the most enjoyable cars I’ve ever driven – and I’ve driven a lot of cars!”
Held over a period of two days, competitors of the 280km rally were initially blessed with warm and bright sunshine during the first day on Saturday, 3 July, before being lashed by heavy rains the next day, forcing the drivers to deal with compromised levels of grip.
The two Protons adapted well to the poor weather, but still had to concede centre stage to Patton’s Evo IX. Both McRae and Atkinson were running podium times until Atkinson’s forced withdrawal left McRae becoming Proton’s sole flag bearer.
“It’s been a fantastic result for us,” said McRae. “The Satria Neo S2000 has been really fast and absolutely reliable. We haven’t touched the car all weekend, and the team have not had to work on it at all. I have really enjoyed this rally, the roads were fantastic and all the better when you get to drive them in a car like the Satria Neo S2000.”
Atkinson was equally upbeat. He added: “When the car is running through these roads, it’s just unbelievable how much pace you can carry through the corners. This is definitely the car for the APRC. The Satria Neo S2000 is getting stronger and stronger and the best is yet to come.”
The next round of APRC will take place in Queensland, Australia. Asked of his team’s aims for the next round, McRae said, “We are on the podium in Whangarei, which is great, but we want to take the next step – the step up to the top of the podium on the next round. And, with the hard work everybody is putting into this programme, that aim is totally realistic.”
