Proton Satria Neo to Compete in World Rally Championship
We have just received spyshots of the development prototype of a Proton Neo Super 2000 Rally car. Not much is known about who is building it or where. Neither are there any confirmed information about who will be competiting in this car. But it sure looks to be a fascinating story to keep tabs on especially for local rallying enthusiasts like us.
What is for sure though is that it should start competing in at last a few rounds of the Super 2000 category in world rally competitions by the middle of this year.
Super 2000, also known as S2000, is an FIA specification and classification for production based race cars. The specification is split to cover both rally and touring car racing.
The goal of the Super 2000 classification is to allow more manufacturers and privateers to race by reducing the cost of a competitive car.
Other Super 2000 makes in current competition:
Toyota Auris
Skoda Fabia
Peugeot 207 RCup
Abarth Grande Punto
Ford Fiesta
VW Polo
MG ZR
FIA specifications include the following:
* Derived from production model, of which 2500 have been produced in the past year
* Maximum of 2 liter displacement
* Maximum of 280 bhp
* Normal Aspiration
* Minimal weight 1150kg
* All wheel drive is permitted in rally cars, but not in touring cars.
* 6-speed sequential gearbox (Control specification made by Sadev, Xtrac or Ricardo. No electronics allowed in differentials)
* Front and rear McPherson suspension
* No electronic driver aids
* Maximum width of 1.8 meters
* Must be for sale at a maximum price of รณ168,000.
Super 2000 spec cars are currently run in:
* British Touring Car Championship
* Intercontinental Rally Challenge
* Australian Rally Championship
* Italian Rally Championship
* Production World Rally Championship
* South African Rally Championship
South Africa was the first country in the world to run Super 2000 cars in rallying. Toyota South Africa and Volkswagen South Africa build 2 cars each to compete in the South African Rally Championship in 2005
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