Proton R3 Hopes To Make Immediate Impact At 2010 APRC

April 20, 2010 21:29 PM

Proton R3 Hopes To Make Immediate Impact At 2010 APRC

By: Ramjit

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PUTRAJAYA, April 20 (Bernama) -- Spearheaded by two former World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers, the Proton R3 Malaysia Rally Team, hope their appearance in the 2010 Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) would make an immediate impact in the industry.

Proton's last participation in the APRC was in 2004.

Proton R3's 2010 APRC campaign will be spearheaded by Scotland's Alistair McRae and co-driver Bill Hayes (Australia) and also Australia's Chris Atkinson and his co-driver Stephane Prevot of Belgium.

Both drivers will be driving the Satria Neo S2000, which made its competition debut at the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) last year.

The team today received the Jalur Gemilang from Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek at a simple ceremony held at the ministry here today, marking the official launch, of Proton R3's participation in the 2010 APRC.

"We will try to get a very good result for Proton and also Malaysia. With the testing of the car last year, we hope that we will win the rally. I am looking forward for the weekend.

"(Before the race) we tested the car in Europe and last Saturday at the Sepang off-road track. The team has done enough testing. We want to start the championship with a win in Malaysia," said the 40-year-old McRae when met on Tuesday.

The seven-round Asia Pacific Rally Championship 2010 will kick off with the Rally of Malaysia on April 23-25.

Meanwhile, Atkinson, 30, said that the Proton R3 cars was capable of winning the APRC race.

"Obviously, I am excited driving for Proton and hopefully I would like to win the championship although it is not easy. It will be very challenging. We have a good car and a good team.

"It was my first time driving the Proton R3 and it was something new to me. I've been in the World Rally Championship (WRC) for five years and I am looking forward for a new challenge," said Atkinson.

-- BERNAMA

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