1st October 2009, Makassar. PROTON today unveiled its Satria Neo Super2000 rally car to the Indonesian media in a small ceremony at its PROTON showroom in Makassar, Indonesia. The team also completed the shakedown of the Satria Neo Super 2000 prior to the start of Rally Indonesia on the weekend with its new driver line-up comprising of Alister McRae and Bill Hayes.
"It's a real honour for me to have the opportunity to drive for a new manufacturer like Proton." said Alister McRae.
“We’ve had a good shakedown today and are happy with the performance of the car. The conditions are very hot and dusty, but we’re definitely looking forward to the challenge on the weekend and will give it our best.” he added.
The team will complete over 222km of competitive stages of high speed gravel roads over the course of the rally weekend. The stages in Makassar winds its way through the sugarcane plantations of Takalar which have become a hallmark of Rally Indonesia.The drivers and cars will expect to face very hot and dusty conditions with in-cabin temperatures reaching a scorching 50 degrees celcius.
The Proton Satria Neo S2000 continues to improve on pace and reliability as the year of development continues, and the gruelling conditions of this event will certainly go a long way to improving the vehicle further.
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DRIVER PROFILE
ALISTER MCRAE
Occupation Professional Driver
Born : December 1970
Lives : Perth, Australia
Married : Tara
Children : Emmie and Max
Hobbies : Mountain-biking, jet skiing, skiing, motorcycling, running around after Emmie & Max
Career Summary:
1989/90 Scottish Rally Championship, Vauxhall Nova
1991 Vauxhall Nova GSi Challenge, Vauxhall Nova
1993 British Rally Championship, Subaru Legacy
1994/95 Works driver, Nissan Motorsport, Nissan Sunny GTi British Rally Championship, selected WRC rounds
1996/98 Works driver, Volkswagen Motorsport, VW Golf GTi British Rally Championship, selected WRC rounds
1999/01 Works driver, Hyundai Motorsport Hyundai Coupe & Hyundai Accent WRC
1999 FIA Formula 2 World Rally Championship
2000/01 FIA World Rally Championship
2002/03 Works driver, Mitsubishi Ralliart, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo7 FIA World Rally Championship
2004 FIA Production World Rally Championship
2005/08 Various events worldwide. Wins in South Africa, China, UK and Australia
Notable Achievements:
1989 Scottish 1300 Rally Champion, Challenger Champion
1990 Scottish 1300 Rally Champion
1992 Group N British Rally Champion
1995 British Rally Champion
1999 Joint Formula 2 Asia-Pacific Rally Champion
Number of World Rally Championship events competed: 78
Number of WRC Formula 2 wins: 7
Number of WRC Formula 2 podiums: 10
Number of WRC Group N wins: 2
Bill HAYES
Occupation : Professional Co-Driver
Born : September 1968
Lives : Perth, Australia
Hobbies : Spending time with family, golf, cycling, running, swimming
Career Summary:
1st Outright 2008 Targa West Classic Rally – Co Driver for Alister McRae
3rd PWRC and 8th Outright. 2006 Rally Australia – Co Driver
1st Privateers Cup- 2006 & 07 Australian Rally Championships – Co-Driver
2nd Outright 2005 Australian Rally Championship – Co-Driver
1st Outright 2004 Australia Cup – Co-Driver
1st Group APRC 5 – 2004 Australian Rally Championships
3 Times Western Australia Rally Co-Driving Champion
