APRC 2012 New Caledonia - Team MRF scored 1-2, Proton stumbled

Proton had a promising start in the New Caledonia rally when PG Andersson lead Chris Atkinson by 4.3s while team mate Alister McRae suffered from a puncture and retired for that day. With McRae out of the picture, Proton misery continued during the second day when PG Andersson suffered from engine mishap where his Proton Satria Neo S2000 gradually losing power. However, superb job by MEM crew witnesssed them fitting a new cylinder head gasket to the ailing car in a record time, enabling Andersson to salvage third place at the end of Day 2. While Proton stumbled, MRF Team of Chris Atkinson flourished to finish first, ahead of team mate Gaurav Gill. Atkinson lead however was not without problem, as he also suffered a puncture in the final stage, cutting down his lead to 40seconds.

On the Day 3, Andersson engine had died completely, thanks to the Saturday drama. Skoda's Atkinson pace was blistering on Day 3, eclipsing his team mate by almost two minutes. However, his Skoda stopped in the middle of the stage apparently due to the water crossing, same issued that plagued Andersson's Proton. Gaurav Gill in the sister Skoda immediately capitalized on his team mate misfortune. When Atkinson finally get going again, his team mate was 5 minutes in front. They hold station that way, finished ahead of Brian Green EVO IX by 10 minutes. More after the jump.

PG Andersson of Proton - great first day in Rally New Caledonia

PROTON’s PG Andersson enjoyed an inspiring opening day by emerging fastest throughout the first four special stages in Rally New Caledonia.

Andersson won three of the day’s four special stages, stamping his authority from the first 16.8km "Gadji" special stage to finish 1.6 seconds ahead of the two Skoda Fabia S2000s of Chris Atkinson and Gaurav Gill, with PROTON team mate Alister McRae in fourth place.

Andersson was quickest in the Satria Neo S2000 as he swept through the longest special stage of the day, a tricky section with many twisty uphill as well as downhill sections.

In special stage 2, Andersson was a clear three seconds faster than Atkinson, completing the run in a time of 10 minutes and 15.7 seconds.

McRae however, was forced to bow out after special stage 2 as a result of damage. He managed to drive the Satria Neo S2000 out of the stage but with a 25km drive and two special stages to go, the damage on the car was too extensive for him to continue. McRae will restart Leg 2 under the Super Rally format.

"We were flat out and on the attack mode from the start. The stages are incredibly exciting and the car felt unbelievably fast and planted through the twisty stages," said Andersson who in special stage 3 again clocked the fastest time ahead of Atkinson.

The Swedish driver however, missed out on making a clean sweep of the day's four special stages, finishing three seconds adrift of the Skodas of Gill, who was fastest, and Atkinson.

PROTON is looking to establish back to back victory in New Caledonia, having won the rally last year.

Rally New Caledonia runs through beautiful lush vegetation and farming plains, and will be contested over a competitive distance of 252.82km covering 19 special stages.

Leg 2 of the rally continues with nine more special stages while the third and the final day of rallying will involve six special stages including the longest which is a 24.41km charge through Pirogues Almameto.

"Andersson has adapted very well to the rally, considering this is his first appearance in New Caledonia. The competition is definitely intense this time round and with two more days of rallying it will really be down to the individual with the right strategy and the ability to pace himself to the finish," said Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood, the Head of PROTON Motorsports.

"We have a competitive package coming to New Caledonia and we believe we are in good contention for a podium," he added.

Chris Atkinson won first APRC 2012 - 2nd place for Proton

Chris Atkinson, former Proton's APRC driver has won the opening round of Asia-Pasific Rally Championship (APRC) 2012 in Rally of Whangarei in his Skoda Fabia S2000. Atkinson finished 28.1 seconds ahead of the Proton Satria Neo S2000 driven by Per-Gunnar Anderson. Third place went to Atkinson's team mate Gaurav Gill, who finished more than 3 minutes behind his victorious  team mate.

In the 2WD category, Malaysia's veteran rally driver, Karamjit Singh triumphed in his Proton Satria Neo. The impressive results from Proton's car continues in the shape of Junior Category where Michael Young finished ahead of fellow Proton' driver Kenneth Joh. Altogether, Proton fielded large number of cars in this New Zealand rally with a further five Proton Satria Neos – in Group N spec . Three are being driven by Malaysia’s Karamjit Singh and Kenneth Koh, and Japan’s Akira Bamba with the Proton R3 Cusco Rally Team. K’s World Rally Team has entered Japanese driver Takasahi Nihei and young New Zealander Michael Young. Yet another Proton – this one in Group A spec will be seen in action with Indian driver Sanjay Takle and MRU Motorsports.

Full results of the APRC 2012 Brother International Rally of Whangarei  after the jump: