Proton celebrates triumphant APRC season
The China Rally last weekend marked the conclusion of a phenomenal season for Proton Motorsports, as the Satria Neo S2000 rally cars piloted by Alister McRae and Chris Atkinson comprehensively dominated the field to clinch the Asia Pacific Rally Championship driver’s and manufacturer’s titles.
Up against established opposition driving Mitsubishi Evos and Subaru Imprezas, Proton was able make a clean sweep of all eight individual titles in the championship. In addition to the APRC driver’s and manufacturer’s title, Proton also won driver’s titles of the FIA Asia Cup and FIA Pacific Cup. The Group N 1,600cc Proton Satria Neo completed the trophy haul by bringing home the FIA APRC Rally Cup 2WD driver’s and manufacturer’s title, and FIA APRC Junior Cup driver’s title.
Despite it’s relatively young age as a car manufacturer, Proton is already a three-time winner of the APRC in 2001, 2002, and 2004. After a lengthy hiatus, the team returned to the fray in 2010, finishing a commendable second in the manufacturer’s championship.
Proton’s active participation in rallying over the past two years is motivated by the desire to tap on the enormous exposure on offer. The APRC is broadcast to 129 countries worldwide, reaching an estimated 390 million viewers. One of the reasons why the Neo S2000 is clad in bright yellow livery is to attract the attention and enthusiasm of followers.
Elaborating, Proton Group Managing Director Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said, For car manufacturers, motorsports injects plenty of excitement into a brand or a particular model, and it provides a platform in which technology and technical know-how can be developed and applied to future road-going models.”
“Motorsports is a cost-effective and wide-reaching platform which we believe offers tremendous value and return of investment. Proton’s involvement is aimed at not only reaffirming our presence in the region in a bigger way, but designed to serve as a prelude to our future products,” Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin added.
In the near future, Proton is mulling the possibility of introducing motorsports-based edition models of the Satria Neo to capitalize on its rally success. This contradicts recent reports that the three-door hatch was being pensioned off. It was explained that, although production of the Neo has stopped for the time being, it is because Proton is in the midst of transferring the Neo’s line from Tg Malim to Shah Alam. So, there’s still plenty of life left in the Neo.
