AFTER rejoining the FIA Super 2000 World Rally Championship (SWRC), Proton are looking forward to a dominant drive in Rally New Zealand this weekend.
With one win after two rounds of the SWRC, drivers P.G. Andersson and Alister McRae are fired up for a repeat performance of Proton's dominant drive in the Rally of Sweden.
Andersson, who took the Satria Neo S2000 to its maiden victory in SWRC at his home rally in Sweden, is currently fourth in the FIA SWRC drivers' standings after two rounds with 25 points, while McRae is eighth. The team had elected not to compete in the Rally of Portugal, the third round, due to commitments in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).
The three-day Rally New Zealand comprises 22 special stages covering 413.94km.
Today's first leg will see drivers taking on eight special stages with another seven tomorrow. Sunday's third and final leg will be contested over seven special stages.
"It's great to be back in SWRC again and what better place than New Zealand. This is a fantastic rally with incredible roads. The special stages are always really smooth, which means it's not so demanding on the car -- allowing you to have quite a straight race with the other drivers," said Andersson.
"With it being winter in New Zealand, though, this means we could be in for some rain or some changing weather. Let's just see what comes. We are certainly there to chase another SWRC win."
Rally New Zealand is also a homecoming of sorts for the Proton team who had earlier enjoyed a good run at the Rally of Whangarei in March during the APRC where Andersson and McRae finished second and fourth respectively.
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