Petter Solberg considering to join Abarth in 2010.. Proton?

Petter tested the Proton Satria Neo S2000 early this year and just recently, the Abarth Grande Punto S2000.

Petter Solberg has admitted that he would consider taking part in next year's Super 2000 World Cup after testing an Abarth Grande Punto S2000 on gravel recently, but what about Proton?, according to Motorsport News.

"Provided the manufacturer is coming in and the looking to make the commitment with a car for the world championship, then yes, I would consider it. Nothing is sure about next year. I have meetings with Proton and with Abarth and with some other contacts, but nothing is decided. I want to be in a manufacturer team and I want to be back pushing for a new car to be developed and promoted." Petter Solberg

So far, both Proton and Abarth have committed to rallying in the IRC and will probably move into the WRC with the new S2000 World Cupformat

source:

rallybuzz.com

rallypert.blogspot.com

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A1 Team MAL Presents Awards To TOC Graduates

A1 Team Malaysia Commercial Director, Owen Leed, represented the team at last weekend’s TOC (The Otomotif College) graduation ceremony, presenting certificates to 120 students and special awards to five outstanding achievers. The Otomotif College has been a long standing commercial partner of A1 Team Malaysia, with the team being supported by this specialist automotive training college since 2006.

The A1GP team, through its commercial partnership with TOC, has built up close links with the college, participating in many events held by the faculty and offering special opportunities to students whenever possible. At the last A1GP Sepang event the team hosted a number of students, giving them a chance to experience the work of the pit crew in A1 Team Malaysia’s garage during the race weekend.

At Sunday’s event, Leed gave a congratulatory speech to the students at the graduation ceremony, praising them for their achievements. Following the presentation of certificates to 120 students by Leed, the A1 Team Malaysia commercial principal honoured five students with Outstanding Achievers Awards. They each received a certificate, cash prize and a commemorative trophy to mark their success.

Leed said of his participation in the event, “A1 Team Malaysia has built a strong relationship with The Otomotif College and we’re very proud to have taken part in this very special occasion for the students. Foundation training is very important for any career and these students will benefit from this in any future employment. Everyone at A1 Team Malaysia is an example of the hard work, motivation and determination you need to achieve success, and we recognize the commitment which all of these students have had in the pursuit of their own achievements."

source:

zerotohundred.com

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Cheaper future Exora against Perodua's D46T

Recently, we've heard that Perodua is in their preparation of launching their first MPV (codenamed D46T) which will be nearly RM 20,000 cheaper than Proton's recently launched Exora. As their defensive strategy, Proton is in their plan of producing a cheaper version of Proton Exora. The cheaper Exora will be further downgraded in terms of equipment, and will likely feature a manual gearbox. We can also see that the wheels is steel with a cover instead of proper alloy wheels

Right now, the Exora is only available in M-Line and H-Line

source:

paultan.org

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Proton still interested in WRC

Mellors Elliott Motorsport (MEM) team principal Chris Mellors has confirmed Proton remains interested in a World Rally Championship entry, despite committing its Satria Neo S2000 car to the remainder of this season's IRC series.

"The IRC programme is fantastic news," said Mellors. "Everybody is behind this project, behind the team and behind Guy (Guy Wilks) and Phil Pugh (as co-driver). Proton is funding the rest of the season. As for what's beyond that, well let's just see what comes from the rest of 2009."

Mellors said Proton still has aspirations in the World Rally Championship (WRC). He added: "We're still very interested in the WRC, of course we are, but there needs to be a great deal of clarification on the technical regulations. This is, ultimately, incredibly confusing to go to Malaysia to explain the future of the WRC.

"When they ask me if the WRC is going to be Super 2000, I tell them it is, but it might be with a 1.6 turbo engine and that might - or might not - be coming in 2011 or 2013. The board of Proton needs a clear plan and that clear plan comes from IRC - which is why, for the foreseeable future, we're going to be there."

source:

autosport.com

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No Restart for Wilks driving Satria S2000 in Ypres

The repeat passage over the long Hollebeke stage, this time in darkness, proved to be problematic indeed for a few drivers as the darkened roads caught them out for various reasons.

Driving the Proton Satria Neo S2000 on its maiden IRC event, Guy Wilks went off and damaged his car's suspension, sending him into retirement.

The team was hopeful that Guy Wilks and Phil Pugh would be able to run untimed through today's final ten stages in order to gain invaluable testing miles on the promising new car, following an off-road excursion yesterday. Having been in 12th place on the penultimate stage of Day 1, the Proton crew made the necessary repairs but it was not possible for the Satria to join the 59 cars from 73 that started the event to tackle today's marathon 10-stage charge to the finish.

"It wasn't easy out there," Wilks said. "We had a lot of small issues with the car, which can only be expected, such as the temperature warning alarms going off which was very distracting. Because it's such a new car we've also had to run without the optimum gear ratios as they haven't been homologated yet, so the acceleration that's in the car hasn't been translated into the times."

Meanwhile, Freddy Loix managed to hold onto the lead of Rally Ypres at the conclusion of Day One, but Kris Meeke is keeping the pressure on his IRC title rival.

source:

uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

ircseries.com

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A1 Team Malaysia's Official Timepiece Introduces Special Watch

Chronoforce, official watch partner to A1 Team Malaysia, launches a “limited edition” watch to mark the partnership today. The A1 Team Malaysia Chronoforce watch features the team logo on the face just above the six o’clock position.

The A1 Team Malaysia watch, which will be a limited edition of 500 pieces, is a chronograph time piece which features a multiple layer dial and screw crown. It is water resistant to 10 ATM (+/-100m) and is encased in the highest quality 316L stainless steel.

Chronoforce was founded in 2005, the same year that A1 Team Malaysia first took to the track in A1GP and produces a watch collection which combines style with the need to perform under pressure at extreme speed. The new limited edition A1 Team Malaysia Chronoforce watch is an excellent example of the company’s offering.

Fans who are looking for something unique to wear and to demonstrate their support of the team should visit Berjaya Times Square this weekend where the watches are on display in the main lobby area right next door to Starbucks. All the members of A1 Team Malaysia wear Chronoforce watches.

source:

a1.gpgrid.com

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Proton To Make IRC Debut: 18 June 2009 (Belgium)

Proton will celebrate its debut in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge from June 18-20 istarting with Belgium (Belgium Ypes Rally). And that will not go unnoticed as the team have put their trust in Guy Wilks, the British driver who has shown his metal already in the WRC.

Wilks, who won the British Rally Championship in 2007 and 2008 with his Mitsubishi Lancer, will contest seven remaining rounds of the IRC with the factory-backed Proton team, which could expand to run as many as three cars before the end of this season.

PROTON's participation in the IRC challenge marks the Malaysian car manufacturer's return to the global rally scene since 2002, when Malaysian driver Karamjit Singh of the PROTON sponsored Petronas Eon Racing Team (PERT) bagged the Production World Rally Championship in an MEM developed car.

Catch the Proton team on the Belgium leg of the IRC, LIVE on Astro Eurosport (Channel 814) on these dates:

June 20, 2009

01:15-02:15 (Live) Intercontinental Rally Challenge in Belgium - Day 1

05:00-06:00 (Live) Intercontinental Rally Challenge in Belgium - Day 1

June 21, 2009

03:15-04:15 (Live) Intercontinental Rally Challenge in Belgium - Day 2

source:

ypesrally.com

cbt.com.my

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A1 Team Malaysia as the Most Improved Team for 2008/2009

The A1GP World Cup of Motorsports fans have voted the A1 Team Malaysia as the Most Improved Team for 2008/2009 season for their hard work in climbing from finishing 15th last season to sixth this season.

A1 Team Malaysia chief executive Jack Cunningham said the votes, cast through the recent A1GP.com award, enabled the team to beat their rivals from Lebanon and Australia.

"A1GP.com says the team looks to become championship contenders in season five. That has always been our goal. We'll need to continue with our hard work to stay in the top five, but I know that with the team we have and with their total commitment and determination, we'll be putting 100 per cent effort in for next season," he said in a statement here today.

A disappointing 15th place in the overall standings for the third season was eclipsed by the team taking a well-deserved 6th place by the end of season four (2008/2009).

A1 Team Malaysia worked hard between the third and fourth seasons, focusing on preparing the new generation A1GP `Powered by Ferrari' car, which made its debut in Zandvoort (Netherlands).

The team's efforts were quickly repaid with their driver, Fairuz Fauzy, winning the first race at the Dutch track in some of the most difficult racing conditions faced by A1GP drivers.

Fairuz then took the team's fifth race victory in the first race of the fourth season and backed this up with a points haul for the season from three podium finishes, eight points scoring finishes and a fastest lap.

The team maintained their high level of commitment and continued to develop the car with Fairuz and rookie driver, Aaron Lim. Consistency of results was a major factor in the team's success, with Fairuz scoring points at each event.

The new season of the A1GP series kicks off later this year and A1 Team Malaysia will return to represent the nation in this high-profile, international single-seater championship, which uniquely pits country against country for national honours.

source:

bernama

a1gp.com

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Super GT Round 4: Sepang Entry List

click to enlarge

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Proton Satria Neo Super 2000 to compete in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge

Proton has revealed that its MEM (Mellors Elliot Motorsport)-built Satria Neo racer, called the Satria Neo Super 2000, will be participating in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. The news was released as the rally car was showcased at the Rally Show festival, which took place on the 6th and 7th of June.

Both MEM and Proton have also confirmed the driver line-up, that includes two-times British rally champion Guy Wilks and Phil Pugh as Wilks’ co-driver. The Proton Satria Neo Super 2000 is motivated by a 278HP 2.0 liter Renault powerplant, that is derived from the 1.8 liter Renault unit found in the production Proton Waja 1.8X.

Proton’s Managing Director, Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, mentioned that, “We are very excited to have Guy Wilks driving for Proton in the IRC. After his stunning performance in the recent Pirelli Rally, we are positive about our capabilities to put up a strong challenge. MEM has done a great job with the Proton Satria Neo S2000 and we will continue to improve as the year progresses.”

via icars.sg

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2012 Lotus Esprit Rendering

Motor Trend has released two renderings illustrating their idea of what the next Esprit may look like.

The Esprit nameplate will return to an all-new Lotus vehicle that will be based on a wider, longer version of the Evora's architecture. These renderings are our best look yet at what the Esprit will look like when it arrives in the flesh. Taking clear styling cues from both the Evora and the the Elise/Exige, the new Esprit brings plenty of exotic flair to the premium sports car segment. Its steeply raked windscreen and sharp, aggressive nose leave little doubt as to the Esprit's racy intentions.

via motortrend

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Sepang Inaugural 1000 km Results

Team Type R 21 had dominated the inaugural Sepang 1000km (S1K) from qualifying completing the race in 8 hours 49:30.103. Staring in pole potition, the team managed to stay in the top four teams throughout the 182 lap race.

Drivers Soh Kee Koon, Wong Yew Choong and Tek Kean Choong drove magnificently throughout the race in their Class 1 Honda Integra. The three drivers have eight years experience in racing in the Merdeka Millennium Endurance (MME) race and also been dominating other local races including the Malaysian Super Series (MSS).

“We had a good run, no problems at all, although the car was running a little hot in the afternoon, both it and the team performed remarkably throughout,” said Soh Kee Koon ecstatically after the race.

“All through the race car number 36 gave us a good fight but it pulled out of the race almost at the end of the race and that gave us a b it of a breather.” He added the team managed with just 8 pit stops for refuelling and went through five sets of the Archilles 123 tyres.

“The tyres were good because it provided grip straight from the point we rolled out of the pit after tyre changes as to compare to other tyres that needed to be warmed up first before providing enough grip.”

Following closely behind in 49.538 is team Lai Wee Sing, Mohamed Farriz Fauzy and Tseu Chan Kee in their Class 2 Honda Civic. The trio dropped to fifth place after 20 laps from the start but managed to slowly climb back to second place and maintain their spot till the end of the race.

In third place was Ser Meng Hui, Goi Chun Kiat and Mohd Nizam in a Class 1 Satria GTi. And as faith would have it, the Toyota AE11 of Kegani Racing fell out of the race with a broken belt tensioner after being in the lead for more than half of the race. The team was obviously distraught but have vowed to come back stronger next year. Next up - all the pictures and videos from the most anticipated Malaysian race this year - the Sepang 1000km Race.

via sepangcircuit.com

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In the "waiting" of Perodua's Upcoming MPV

Last year in 2008, an interview with Perodua managing director, Datuk Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar in The Edge Weekly has revealed some plans about Perodua that year. Besides their plan of rebranding Perodua which gives Perodua a new slightly modernized logo and launching the new Kembara which is currently known as Nautica, he also said that Perodua will launch a new three row 6-seater MPV in September 2009. Datuk Hafiz likened it to a Toyota Wish, but a smaller version.

In April this year, while Proton gears up for its Proton Exora MPV to be launched, according to Datuk Hafiz in BERNAMA, Perodua is also prepping up its MPV, set to be launched in Q3 this year. The new Perodua MPV is internally called the Perodua D46T codename and is expected to be priced between RM57,000 to RM66,000. Perodua's D46T to be said that it will be based on the Toyota Passo Sette (image below) which measures 4,180mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,620mm tall, with 2,750mm wheelbase.The same Bernama report also confirmed it will come with a 1.5 liter engine, likely the 3SZ-VE in transverse-mounted front wheel drive configuration.

Also in April, Perodua displayed it's D46T at the Minggu Saham Amanah Malaysia 2009 in Johor Bahru. It show us that the front seats are joined together as a single bench, and the arm rest in the middle looks like it can be flipped up to become a small backrest for the middle area and a dashboard that has its dash-mounted shifter very intact which means it’s not been moved to the floor.Besides that, the air conditioning controls have been changed from automatic climate control with an LCD panel to a manual 3-knob version that looks like it shares parts with the Toyota Vios, but this 3-knob control is also found in the low spec versions of the Passo Sette.

Apparently, Perodua also played a teaser video (see video below, which was originally uploaded by funtasticko5 at youtube.com ) for the MPV. The video revealed the MPV's exterior looks such as it's slightly different headlamps compared to the Passo Sette, the bumper which features a wide central air intake flanked by two large round foglamps and alloy wheels. Moreover, the video also revealed that the MPV will be launched in November 2009.

Here.. are the spy shots and a video of Perodua's future MPV:

source:

paultan.com

youtube.com/funtasticko5

youtube.com/xenonturbo

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