APRC - Proton R3 Motorsports cemerlang

DARI UTUSAN MALAYSIA
18/9/2012

PELUMBA dan krew Pasukan Rali Proton R3 meraikan kejayaan pada perlumbaan APRC Rali Hokkaido, Jepun kelmarin.

KUALA LUMPUR - Proton R3 Motorsports meraikan hujung minggu yang cukup gemilang dengan kejayaan para pelumbanya mencatat penyudah podium dalam perlumbaan di tiga buah negara.

Pasukan itu yang mempertaruhkan jentera Proton Satria Neo menggegar dalam Kejuaraan Rali Dunia (SWRC) di Britain, Kejuaraan Rali Asia-Pacific (APRC) di Hokkaido, Jepun dan Siri Super Malaysia (MSS) di Litar Antarabangsa Sepang (SIC).

Dalam perlumbaan SWRC di Britain, pelumba muda Wales, Tom Cave menduduki tempat kedua bersama Pasukan Rali Proton R3 Motorsports pada Kejuaraan Rali Dunia Super 2000 bersama jentera Proton Satria Neo S2000.

Dalam saingan APRC Rali Hokkaido, ia merupakan pencapaian hebat buat Pasukan Rali Proton R3 Cusco apabila pasukan itu menguasai kedudukan pertama, kedua dan ketiga dalam kategori 2WD.

Pelumba rali handalan negara yang pernah muncul juara keseluruhan APRC sebanyak tiga kali, Karamjit Singh meneruskan dominasi dalam kategori 2WD, walaupun dia kehilangan masa satu setengah minit.

Rakan sepasukan Karamjit dari Jepun, Akira Bamba juga berpesta dengan kejayaan muncul juara kali kedua berturut-turut dalam kelas Kejuaraan Junior APRC selepas menduduki tempat pertama dalam kelas tersebut dan kedudukan kedua dalam kelas 2WD.

Pelumba muda negara, Kenneth Koh melengkapkan minggu sempurna buat pasukannya selepas menamatkan saingan pada tempat kedua dalam Kategori Junior dan kedudukan ketiga dalam kelas 2WD.

Secara keseluruhan, ia merupakan hujung minggu yang cemerlang buat Proton walaupun dua jentera Proton Satria Neo S2000 yang dipandu Alister McRae dan Juha Salo gagal menamatkan perlumbaan di Hokkaido.

Dalam saingan di litar tempatan, MSS di Litar Antarabangsa Sepang, gandingan pelumba Pasukan Lumba Proton R3, Syafiq Ali dan James Veerapen merangkul kejuaraan MSS, ketika baki satu perlumbaan dengan menggunakan jentera Proton R3 Satria.

KOMEN : TAHNIAH

APRC - Victory for Proton

MOTOR RALLY: McRae conquers gruelling race

NST

17/7/2012

 

 

FOR the second successive year, Alister McRae scored a victory for Proton in the Malaysian Rally yesterday.

 

Proton’s Alister McRae maneuvers his Satria Neo S2000 in the Malaysian Rally yesterday.

This also saw McRae recording his first win this season in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).

Finishing second overnight, McRae, driving a Satria Neo S2000, completed the 12.46km Tai Tak Court House stretch in 10 minutes 37 seconds, three seconds faster than teammate PG Andersson.

  

Andersson, who led the rally, retired at the end of special stage 10. Proton R3 Cusco Rally Team's Karamjit Singh finished fourth fastest in a front wheel drive 1600cc Satria Neo.
 

"We had a brilliant and trouble-free run to the finish. We lost some time due to a puncture on the second day but were able to maintain a competitive pace and progressively push ahead to reduce the deficit significantly," said McRae. 

"With unpredictable weather, the Malaysian Rally certainly reaffirms itself as a challenging event."

   

Yesterday's success is a testimonial of the Proton Satria's strength in one of the world's toughest rallies.

  

With a distance of 235.28km, the Malaysian Rally comprised 15 special stages, which were run on gravel and took competitors through some of the most gruelling terrain on the APRC tour.

  

The Malaysian rally kicked off on Friday with the ceremonial 2.5km Angsana super special stage designed for spectators. The third and final leg of the rally was run over seven special stages.

SWRC - MOTOR RALLY: Andersson on the podium again

FROM NST

25/6/2012

PROTON'S P.G. Andersson overcame a difficult and challenging Rally New Zealand yesterday to chalk up his second successive podium finish in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship (SWRC) contenders.

 

Proton’s P.G. Andersson has accumulated 25 points after two rounds.

 

Andersson drove the Satria Neo S2000 to second place in the three-day rally after setting a blistering pace and competitive stage times.

The Swedish driver began promisingly on the first special stage of Leg 1, leading the S2000 class and posting eighth fastest time overall, just 1.4 seconds behind overall rally leader Petter Solberg in the world rally car.

The Satria Neo S2000 was again the fastest S2000 car on the third and final day of rallying which consisted of 22 special stages.

Rally New Zealand was run over a competitive distance of 413.94km. Leg 1 on Friday saw drivers taking on eight special stages with another seven special stages on Saturday. Yesterday's third and final leg was contested over seven special stages.

Andersson, who had rallied the Satria Neo S2000 to its maiden victory in the SWRC at his home rally in Sweden, is fourth in the FIA SWRC Drivers' standings after two rounds with 25 points, while teammate Alister McRae is eighth. The team had elected not to compete in the Rally of Portugal, the third round of the SWRC, due to commitments in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).

Despite enjoying competitive times, pacing himself to as high as fourth in the SWRC class and 12th overall, McRae was forced to bow out of the rally early due to mechanical problems.

APRC - MOTOR RALLYING: Proton stamp their mark

FROM NST 

28/5/2012

IN THE ZONE: Two top five finishes and victory in 2WD category

Defending Asia Pacific Rally Championship champ Alister McRae en route to finishing second in the overall classification of the International Rally of Queensland.

QUEENSLAND: PROTON rallied to two top five finishes in the overall classifications and  clinched victory in the two-wheel drive category at the  International Rally of Queensland.

Defending Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) champion Alister McRae finished second in the two-day rally with team mate PG Andersson coming in fourth, while in the 2WD class, Proton's Akira Bamba drove to a well and hard-earned victory.

Skoda's Chris Atkinson won the rally while in third place was veteran driver Brian Green. With eight special stages being run on the final day, McRae drove the Satria Neo S2000 to a textbook finish in pursuit of Atkinson.

The highest gainer of the day however, was Andersson who punched his way up to fourth place from ninth at the end of the opening day.

"Despite being faced with a difficult start to the rally, both McRae and Andersson drove to a commendable finish to secure valuable championship points... We are still in it (the fight for the APRC championship)," said Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood, the head of Proton Motorsports.

Proton meanwhile, continued to stretch their dominance in the 2WD category with reigning APRC Junior champion Bamba taking top honours in the 1600cc Satria Neo ahead of another Proton privateer Sanjay Takle.

The Junior category was won by local driver Mike Young, also in a Proton Satria Neo, who finished ahead of Bamba.

"All in all, Proton can be proud of its achievement in Queensland, returning to the event for a second year running to improve its performance from a fourth position last year to clinch a podium finish this time round.

"And this underlines our commitment to be better," said Proton's Director of Group Marketing, Branding and Motorsports John D. Chacko.

Rally Queensland was contested over a total distance of 863km.

KOMEN : SUPERB

APRC - MOTOR RALLY: Proton miss out on podium

FROM NST
30/4/2012

PROTON concluded a challenging round 2 in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) with a series of misfortunes denying the team a strong podium finish.

 

Proton driver Alister McRae won three of the day’s six special stages.

Despite starting Rally New Caledonia strongly, Proton were not only forced to concede the lead going into the second day but also suffered one early retirement.

Defending APRC champion Alister McRae retired in the second special stage but continued on the final day under Super Rally format, winning three of the day's six special stages to secure seven valuable championship points.

McRae finished day 3 ahead of Skoda's Gaurav Gill and Chris Atkinson but was not eligible for a podium finish. Gill won the rally ahead of teammate Atkinson with Brian Greene in third.

Having led the rally on the opening day and setting fastest times in three of the four special stages, Proton's PG Andersson was also forced to relinquish his lead on the second day of rallying.

Andersson's Satria Neo S2000 experienced an abrupt loss of power as a result of a water crossing, a predicament that would later cost him to lose more than 14 minutes and dropping the Swedish driver to fourth in the APRC category.

With a large deficit to make up, Andersson however, was denied the chance of a roaring comeback on the third and final day by a second mechanical failure.

Rally New Caledonia was contested over a competitive distance of 252.82km covering 19 special stages.

"We had hoped for a repeat of last year's double podium results in New Caledonia but the reality of rallying is such that all the hardwork and preparation is never a guarantee of a strong finish," said Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood, the head of Proton Motorsports.

"Having said this, we take back some consolation in the fact that the Satria Neo S2000 is at its most competitive form in the hands of both McRae and Andersson having set a blistering pace at the head of the competition."

Proton's Director of Group Marketing, Branding and Motorsport John D. Chacko said the Satria Neo S2000's performance in New Caledonia earned the team renewed admiration and respect.

"The fighting spirit of the two drivers clearly outweighed the misfortunes we endured in New Caledonia and this only goes towards strengthening our resolve as we focus on the remaining rounds in the championship.

"This shows Proton's continued perseverance and commitment to be better."

MOTOR RALLY: Proton's Andersson clinches second spot

FROM NST ONLINE
2/4/2012

PROTON'S P.G. Andersson drove a commendable Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) debut to clinch second overall in the Brother International Rally of Whangarei in New Zealand.

Proton’s P.G. Andersson in action in the Brother International Rally of Whangarei in New Zealand yesterday.

Battling back to reduce an overnight deficit of more than one minute as a result of a puncture, Andersson set the fastest time on five of the final day's eight special stages to finish second overall 28 seconds behind the Skoda Fabia S2000 of Chris Atkinson.

A further two minutes behind was India's Gaurav Gill. Proton teammate and defending APRC champion Alister McRae, meanwhile, finished fourth in the APRC class and fourth overall after enduring a difficult start to the rally in which, by virtue of starting first, played the role of 'road sweeper' for the rest of the competitors.

Andersson's APRC campaign, on the other hand, had got off to a brilliant start when he was fastest through special stage one.

He, however, had a puncture in the next stage which lost him a minute and a half and demoting him to fourth in the APRC category.

He fought back gallantly to finish the day in second place among the APRC contenders.

The Rally of Whangarei covered a total of 16 special stages over a competitive distance of 283.28km.

Proton also enjoyed a clean sweep of the top three placings in the 2WD category with defending APRC 2WD champion Karamjit Singh taking top honours ahead of privateer Mike Young in another 1600cc Satria Neo and Proton's newly-signed young driver Kenneth Koh. Koh, in only his first international rally, also clinched second place in the APRC Junior category behind Young.

Proton exerted total dominance in the APRC in 2011 to become the first car manufacturer to win all eight major individual titles in the APRC which included the APRC driver's title, manufacturer's title, the Teams Trophy; the FIA Asia Cup driver's title, the FIA Pacific Cup driver's title, the manufacturer's title in the FIA APRC Rally Cup for two-wheel drive category; the APRC Rally Cup driver's title; and FIA APRC Junior Cup driver's title.

Meanwhile, Proton's director of group marketing, branding and motorsports John Chacko said the participation of privately-run 1600cc Satria Neos underlined a strong and growing acceptance for the brand internationally.

APRC - Proton raih gelaran berganda

DARI KOSMO ONLINE

MCRAE yang memandu Proton Satria Neo S2000 mencatat kemenangan keempat pada APRC musim ini.

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PROTON mengesahkan kejuaraan bagi kategori pemandu dan pengeluar pada Kejohanan Rali Asia Pasifik (APRC) selepas pemandunya, Alister McRae memenangi Rali China semalam.

Kejayaan tersebut telah memberikan penamat yang sempurna kepada Proton tahun ini.

McRae memandu Proton Satria Neo S2000 mencatat kemenangan keempat musim ini selepas menewaskan cabaran pemandu Findland, Jari Ketoma yang memandu Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.

Rakan sepasukan McRae, Chris Atkinson berada di tempat ketiga untuk mengesahkan kemenangan 1-2 bagi kategori pemandu APRC untuk pasukan Proton.

Dominasi Satria Neo S2000 sepanjang tahun juga menghadiahkan kejuaraan kepada Proton bagi kategori pengeluar dalam APRC di hadapan Mitsubishi (kedua) dan Subaru (ketiga).

Keputusan tersebut turut membolehkan Proton menjadi pengeluar kereta pertama yang memenangi kesemua lapan kejuaraan individu utama dalam perlumbaan APRC.

Ia termasuk juara keseluruhan pemandu APRC, juara pengeluar APRC, Trofi Pasukan APRC, juara pemandu Piala Asia, juara pemandu Piala Pasifik, juara pengeluar Piala Rali APRC bagi kategori pemanduan dua roda, juara pemandu Piala Rali APRC bagi kategori pemanduan dua roda dan juara pemandu Piala Remaja APRC.

Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan Proton Holdings, Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir berkata, secara keseluruhannya, tahun ini merupakan tahun yang menakjubkan bagi Proton.

"Keputusan di China memberi kesimpulan kepada tahun yang mencabar, namun memberikan makna yang tersendiri bagi Proton.

"Sebagai pengeluar, kami komited untuk menjadi lebih baik dan ini bukan sahaja dalam pertandingan, tetapi juga sebagai pengeluar kenderaan untuk pasaran global," katanya dalam kenyataan akhbar yang dikeluarkan semalam.

Tambahnya, sukan permotoran merupakan salah satu daripada strategi utama untuk mempertingkatkan jenama Proton, terutamanya dalam pasaran yang disertainya.

"Sukan permotoran turut menyuntik elemen keseronokan dalam jenama dan sesuatu model, selain menyediakan platform bagi membangunkan teknologi untuk diaplikasikan ke dalam model di atas jalan," katanya.

KOMEN : TAHNIAH

APRC WINNER DISQUALIFIED

Motor racing / Rally Hokkaido: Proton win APRC drivers' title

2011/10/04

Alister McRae and co-driver Bill Hayes in the Satria Neo S2000.

IN an unexpected turn of events, the winner of Rally Hokkaido was disqualified for a technical infringement which handed Proton's Alister McRae the drivers' title for the 2011 Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).

India's Gaurav Gill was initially announced as the winner of Rally Hokkaido on Sunday in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, but was later disqualified after stewards discovered technical irregularities with his vehicle.

This promoted Taguchi to first place and McRae second, and with not enough points to contest for in China, this had eliminated Gill's shot at the drivers' title.

The amended results see McRae, who had initially finished third behind Gill and Japan's Katsuhiko Taguchi, move up to second in the classification for Rally Hokkaido.

More importantly, it meant McRae and Proton teammate Chris Atkinson both moved to the top two positions in the drivers' championship with unassailable leads.

All that is left to be determined now is which of the two drivers will emerge champion in the final round in China next month.

Proton Motorsports head Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood said in a text message with McRae leading with 114 points and Atkinson with 109, meant the title was virtually confirmed to be in Proton's hands.

"With Gaurav disqualified, it means what would have been a three-horse race, is now just between the two Proton drivers," said Abdul Razak.

Whichever Proton driver lands the APRC overall drivers' title, will end the national car manufacturer's seven-year wait for the title.

Proton gah kuasai Rali Hokkaido

Motor racing / Rally Hokkaido: Proton proving to be dominant force

2011/10/03

Championship leader Proton’s Alister McRae (right) finished third in Round Five of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship in Japan yesterday.

PROTON emerged a dominant force in Rally Hokkaido with three cars finishing on the podium in Round Five of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) in Japan yesterday.

In the main event, Alister McRae turned around his misfortunes on Saturday to finish third in the Satria Neo S2000.

Beginning the second leg 31.4 seconds adrift of second-placed Katsuhiko Taguchi in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, McRae won two of the morning's four special stages to close the gap to within 18.5s.

McRae kept the pressure on the two front running Mitsubishis but in the end had to be content with third place despite closing the gap to within 8.8s and being the fastest driver on Leg Two of the rally.

The results in Japan will set the stage for a three-way battle for this year's APRC crown with McRae leading Proton teammate Chris Atkinson followed by Indian driver Gaurav Gill in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.

The final round of the APRC will be held in Longyou, China in November.

"We had a good run in Japan considering the terrain and stages suited the turbo-charged four-wheel drive cars better," said Proton motorsports head Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood.

"The results might have been different had it not been for McRae's puncture and Atkinson's retirement on the first day but that's the nature of rallying.

"Having said that the Satria Neo S2000 performed well against the more powerful turbo-charged cars and the results are testimony to the level of progress we have made in terms of development of the car."

An equally celebrated result for Proton in Rally Hokkaido was the dominant drive demonstrated by its two Group N 1600 Satria Neos.

Proton clinched two more podium finishes with Malaysian Karamjit Singh and Japanese teammate Akira Bamba finishing first and second respectively in the APRC 1600cc Two Wheel Drive category.

Bamba also secured the inaugural FIA APRC Junior Championship title with the Cusco prepared Proton Satria Neo Group N rally car.

Another Malaysian driver Gunaseelan Rajoo meanwhile, clinched the Class 'A' title in the APRC 1600cc Two Wheel Drive category.

Karamjit charges to the top of APRC standings

Fabulous Flying Sikh: Karamjit Singh (left) posing with co-driver Jason Farmer of New Zealand after winning the 2WD class in the Rally of New Caledonia on Sunday.

PETALING JAYA: Karamjit Singh charged to the top of the championship standings in the 2WD class at the Rally of New Caledonia, which is part of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), on Sunday.

Karamjit won the 2WD category and finished ninth overall to lead the APRC standings with 78 points after competing in two of the three rounds (he skipped the Malaysian round).

Chris Atkinson and co-driver Stephane Prevot claimed victory for Proton in a Satria Neo S2000 ahead of Pertamina Cusco Racing’s Rifat Sungkar in the more powerful turbocharged Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.

Karamjit also secured a much deserved victory in last month’s International Rally of Queensland and the Flying Sikh is fired up to continue his domination in the remaining rounds of the championship.

Karamjit was initially doubtful of competing as financial resources were at a minimum.

To add to his worries, his regular co-driver Vivek Ponnusamy of India, was not able to obtain his entry visa on time.

After negotiating a super economical race package from the team and having a friend, co-driver Jason Farmer of New Zealand volunteering his services, there was no looking back for the local rally ace.

Driving a CUSCO tuned Proton Satria Neo 2WD, the former multiple APRC champion had an eventful weekend battling other world class drivers in extremely hot and desert-like conditions.

“It’s an amazing feeling. It feels great to come back here and win.

“The car ran well and I knew I had enough pace to manage the car home safely past the finish line,” he said.

The next round of the APRC will be held in New Zealand from July 15–17.

If all goes well, Karamjit is hoping to be there to keep his title hopes alive.

APRC - PROTON NEO 2000 CEMERLANG

APRC - Proton laung amaran awal
Oleh TAN MING WAI
tan.mingwai@utusan.com.my

Chris Atkinson dan Alister McRae daripada pasukan Proton Motorsports menjuarai Rali Malaysia pada majlis penyampaian hadiah di Johor Bahru, semalam.

JOHOR BAHRU - Proton Motorsports melaungkan amaran awal niatnya untuk merampas gelaran keseluruhan Kejohanan Rali Asia Pasifik (APRC) 2011 apabila kedua-dua pelumbanya, Chris Atkinson dan Alister McRae meraih kedudukan 1-3 pada pusingan pertama Rali Malaysia yang menutup tirai, semalam.

Memulakan peringkat kedua sebagai pendahulu, pemandu kelahiran Australia, Atkinson meneruskan pemanduan konsisten untuk memastikan kejuaraan miliknya dengan catatan masa 3 jam 14 minit 49.4 saat, berada di depan pencabarnya Gaurav Gill (3 jam 16 minit 25.9 saat) dari pasukan MRF iaitu dengan jurang 1 minit 36.6 saat.

Rakan sepasukan Atkinson, McRae dari Scotland yang sedar misi mengejar Gill di tempat kedua mustahil, juga mengekalkan rentaknya bagi memastikan Proton tidak tercicir mata penting dengan menamatkan saingan di tempat ketiga dengan rekod masa 3 jam 23 minit 37.5 saat.

Peringkat kedua semalam menampilkan tujuh Super Stage (SS) berjarak 79.8 kilometer, sekali gus melengkapkan saingan keseluruhan 15 SS sejauh 233.76km untuk kesemua tiga hari perlumbaan.

Kemenangan Atkinson itu amat bermakna buat dirinya kerana dia akhirnya menamatkan kemarau kejuaraan tujuh tahun sejak menjuarai FIA Super 1,600 Asia Pasifik pada 2004.

Begitu juga kepada penunjuk arahnya, Stephane Prevot dari Belgium yang beraksi pada perlumbaan rali ke-300 peribadinya.

"Satu kemenangan besar kepada diri saya dan juga seluruh pasukan Proton. Kereta cukup sempurna, lancar dan kepantasannya begitu terserlah sepanjang perlumbaan.

"Lebih menggembirakan, kami menang di gelanggang sendiri," katanya yang ditemui selepas tamat SS15 yang juga terakhir di Plaza Angsana, semalam.

Ditanya sama ada Gill memberi tekanan kepadanya selaku pendahulu, jelas Atkinson, dia tenang dan memilih untuk memandu secara berhati-hati untuk mengekalkan jurang satu minit setengah hingga dua minit di hadapan pemandu India itu.

"Saya sepatutnya mampu pergi lebih pantas, tetapi tiada keperluan untuk berbuat demikian," jelasnya.

McRae yang dihantui masalah kepanasan melampau pada enjin kereta sejak kelmarin lega dia berjaya menaiki podium dan memperolehi mata penting untuk pasukannya.

"Masalah kepanasan enjin timbul lagi hari ini, saya tidak dapat menambah kelajuan dan melakukan apa yang sepatutnya iaitu menghabiskan saingan di tempat ketiga. Satu permulaan cemerlang untuk Proton, saya tidak sabar menantikan kehadiran pusingan kedua," ujarnya.

Pada Rali Malaysia edisi lalu, Proton sekadar menduduki tempat keempat menerusi Atkinson manakala McRae gagal menamatkan saingan.

Pusingan kedua APRC akan berlangsung di Rali Antarabangsa Queensland, Australia pada 13-15 Mei depan.

Sementara itu, dalam saingan Kejohanan Rali Malaysia AAM yang berlangsung serentak, pemandu China, Fan Fan muncul juara dan diikuti pemandu tempatan, Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya di tempat kedua sementara tempat ketiga diraih Aji Kim dari Jepun.

Fan Fan dan Muhammad Rafiq yang juga bertanding untuk APRC, masing-masing berada di kedudukan kelima dan keenam daripada sejumlah 11 pelumba.

KOMEN : SYABAS DAN TAHNIAH PROTON

Tekad Proton

Oleh SHAWKATH AZDE
sukan@kosmo.com.my

PENGERUSI Jawatankuasa Pelancongan dan Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Johor, Hoo Seong Chang (dua dari kiri) diringi Pengarah Urusan Proton, Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir (kiri) melepaskan pemandu Proton di lapangan letak kereta pusat beli-belah Angsana, Johor Bahru semalam.

PROTON Holdings Berhad (Proton) berhasrat memberikan saingan lebih sengit pada Kejohanan Rali Malaysia (MRC) 2011 yang secara rasmi membuka tirainya di Johor semalam.

Bagi merealisasikan misi tersebut, pengeluar kereta nasional itu telah melakukan beberapa penambahbaikan pada model Satria Neo S2000 termasuk aspek suspensi.

"Perubahan pada sistem suspensi memberi keyakinan pada kami dan juga cengkaman yang lebih baik.

"Penambahbaikan pada enjin juga memberikan tambahan kuasa kuda selain tork (kilas) yang konsisten," kata pemandu Proton, Chris Atkinson yang juga bekas juara Super 1600 Super Asia Pasifik.

Selain Atkinson, Proton turut mempertaruhkan bekas pemandu Subaru Kejohanan Rali Dunia (WRC), Alister McRae.

Pada MRC 2010, jentera yang dipandu Alister mengalami kerosakan radiator sehingga menyebabkan dia gagal menamatkan perlumbaan. Jentera Atkinson pula mengalami kerosakan elektrik.

Malaysia menjadi medan perlumbaan bagi saingan peringkat pertama Kejohanan Rali Asia Pacifik (APRC) 2011 yang berlangsung serentak dengan MRC 2011.

MRC kali ini menyaksikan sebanyak 38 penyertaan manakala sebanyak 11 kereta bersaing bagi APRC 2011.

Perlumbaan hari pertama MRC 2011 semalam membabitkan peringkat khas dengan jarak 2.5 kilometer di pusat beli-belah Angsana di Tampoi, Johor Bahru.

"Ada beberapa selekoh yang mana saya tidak dapat lakukan dengan terbaik. Ia berikutan keseluruhan trek yang sempit sehingga menyebabkan anda tidak mempunyai ruang untuk melakukan kesilapan.

"Selain itu, cengkaman yang kerap berubah menyukarkan lagi imbangan kali ini," jelas Atkinson lagi.

Dalam pada itu, pemandu kelahiran Jepun, Yuya Sumiyama menjuarai peringkat khas semalam.

Dengan menggunakan jentera Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, Sumiyama mencatat masa 2 minit 02.1 saat. Dia terikat dengan pemandu Indonesia, Rifat Sungkur yang turut mencatat masa yang sama dan jentera yang sama.

McRae pula menceriakan kem Proton apabila menamatkan perlumbaan di tempat ketiga dengan catatan masa 2:02.5s.

McRae berharap tuah memihak kepadanya apabila turun beraksi di laluan Tai Tak Estate hari ini.

"Saya selalu katakan bahawa untuk memenangi per lumbaan rali, kamu perlukan sedikit tuah dan juga perlu tahu selok belok laluan kerana ia akan memberi kamu kelebihan.

"Jentera saya dalam keadaan baik selepas membuat segala ujian dan semangat saya kini semakin tinggi," kata McRae.

Pemandu tempatan terbaik semalam menjadi milik juara bertahan, Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya yang memandu Subaru Impreza dengan catatan 2:18.9s untuk menghuni tempat ke-13.

R. Gunaseelan dari pasukan Pennzoil GSR Racing pula mencatat masa 2:43.9s untuk berada di tempat ke-16.

Proton Motorsport jadi tumpuan APRC

DARI UTUSAN MALAYSIA 1.4.2011

PEMANDU pasukan Proton Motorsport, Alister McRae (kanan) dan Chris Atkinson (dua dari kanan) akan memulakan aksi pada APRC Rali Malaysia di Johor hari ini.

JOHOR BAHRU - Kejohanan Rali Asia Pasifik (APRC) FIA akan membuka tirai di sini hari ini dengan tumpuan terarah kepada pasukan tuan rumah iaitu Rali Proton Motorsport yang pastinya berazam melakar kejayaan di hadapan penyokong sendiri.

Proton juga pasti mahu menyusul kemenangan bergaya pada saingan Rali China yang merupakan pusingan terakhir APRC musim lalu, menyaksikan kedua-dua pelumbanya Alister Mcrae dan Chris Atkinson mengungguli kedudukan 1,2 ketika itu.

Tahun ini, Mcrae dan Atkinson masing-masing sedar mereka memiliki peluang untuk merampas gelaran juara keseluruhan, ditambah keyakinan bahawa kereta Satria Neo S2000 merupakan jentera yang lebih sempurna berbanding sebelum ini.

Justeru, misi dua pemandu penuh berpengalaman itu dan Proton memburu juara keseluruhan bermula dalam kejohanan selama tiga hari sehingga Ahad ini, dengan kemenangan sulung harus dijadikan batu loncatan.

Rali Malaysia akan dimulakan dengan upacara pembukaan di Kompleks Angsana hari ini dan para peminat sukan rali boleh menjangkakan aksi penuh mendebarkan daripada sejumlah 38 pemandu kerana ia juga diadakan seiring dengan Kejohanan Rali Malaysia AAM.

Peminat juga akan melihat kelibat beberapa pelumba handalan tempatan antaranya 'Flying Sikh', Karamjit Singh, Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya dan R.Gunaseelan.

Antara cabaran getir Rali Malaysia yang perlu ditempuhi adalah cuaca panas dan suhu tinggi yang dijangka mengakibatkan kepenatan kepada kedua-dua pemandu dan penunjuk arah.

Di sebalik cuaca panas terik pula, hujan juga menjanjikan cabaran berbeza.

Untuk cuaca lembap, cengkaman tayar pada permukaan menjadi sukar dan ia pastinya menguji kebolehan pemandu itu untuk menamatkan perlumbaan.

KOMEN : SEMUGA PASUKAN PROTON RALLI BERJAYA MENGHARUMKAN NAMA MALAYSIA....

Rali Proton mahu tawan APRC

Oleh FERZALFIE FAUZI
ferzalfie.fauzi@utusan.com.my

Syed Zainal Abidin (kanan) memberi penerangan mengenai jentera Pasukan Rali Proton Motorsports kepada Dr. James Dawos pada pelancaran penyertaan pasukan tersebut dalam Kejuaraan Rali Asia Pasifik Musim 2011 di Bandar Sunway semalam.

PETALING JAYA - Tidak mahu menoleh ke belakang dan ingin melupakan episod malang pada Kejohanan Rali Monte Carlo 2011 bulan lalu.

Itu hajat pasukan Rali Proton Motorsport menjelang perlumbaan pertama Kejohanan Rali Asia Pasifik (APRC) di Johor, Jumaat ini.

Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan Proton Holdings, Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir berkata, mereka mensasarkan untuk memulakan perlumbaan APRC 2011 dengan lebih cemerlang.

"Bagi keseluruhan perlumbaan pula kami mensasarkan untuk mencatat kejayaan yang lebih baik berbanding tahun lepas apabila muncul juara di New Zealand dan meraih kedudukan 1-2 di China," katanya pad sidang akhbar selepas Majlis Penyerahan Jalur Gemilang di sini, semalam.

Jelasnya, kehadiran pelumba berpengalaman, Alister McRae dan Chris Atkinson mampu untuk mengendali jentera Satria Neo Super 2000 seterusnya mengulangi pencapaian menduduki tempat kedua keseluruhan kategori pengeluar.

"Kita juga bukan hanya mahu memperkenalkan produk dari Malaysia (Proton), tetapi terus memperkenalkan negara ini sepanjang perlumbaan sebagai sebuah negara yang terkenal dengan tempat-tempat menarik termasuk pada pusingan pertama APRC di Johor.

"Kami juga ingin merupakan episod duka di Monte Carlo dan menjanjikan saingan yang hebat walaupun perlumbaan APRC memang dijangka kompetitif dengan kehadiran beberapa pasukan hebat," katanya.

Simbolik penyerahan Jalur Gemilang dilakukan oleh Timbalan Menteri Pelancongan, Datuk James Dawos Mamit.

Selepas pusingan pertama di Johor, perlumbaan akan bersambung di Australia dari 13 hingga 15 Mei, sebelum memasuki pusingan ketiga di New Caledonia (17-19 Jun), manakala New Zealand akan menjadi lokasi pusingan keempat (15-17 Julai).

Perlumbaan pusingan kelima berlangsung di Jepun dari 30 September hingga 2 Oktober dan pusingan terakhir akan diadakan di China dari 4 hingga 6 November depan.

KOMEN : SEMOGA PROTON TERUS BERJAYA MENGHASILKAN KERETA YANG BERMUTU DAN BERPRESTASI TINGGI.