PROTON CONTINUES WITH EFFORTS TO POPULARISE MOTORSPORTS AMONG MALAYSIANS
May 5 2005: In line with its efforts to promote motorsports at the grassroots level, PROTON today launched the PROTON Hartge Terengganu Tarmac Rally 2005 at the Hartge showroom here in Kuala Lumpur.
Organised in conjunction with the PROTON Edar Street Fest in partnership with R3 (Race · Rally · Research – The Motorsports Division of PROTON), the rally will start at Batu Burok in Terengganu from May 12 to 14, and will take participants through various districts in the state over the 8 stages. The rally is expected to attract over 80 participants competing in more than 40 performance vehicles of various makes and models. The rally will also see the first appearance of R3’s Race Gen.2 boasting (among other things) a much-improved 1.8 engine and advanced straight-cut five speed gearbox
“It is important to that we provide a different perspective to motorsports, and we feel that by organising the rally and bringing it to the people, we are able to show that motorsports is not only about Formula 1 or million dollar budgets as just about anyone will be able to compete on a level playing field,” said Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel, head of R3.
“Judging by the positive and overwhelming response from both spectators and competitors alike we believe we have developed the right formula that strikes a balance between ultra-competitive motor racing for the competitors and fun and exciting show for our spectators. We hope to carry this momentum throughout the year and at the same time bring on board more and more supporters just as how Hartge has supported us” he added.
The presence of PROTON's fellow sponsor for the rally, Hartge, who brings with them a strong and long-standing heritage of transforming already appealing BMW street cars to much more desirable, finely-tuned performance vehicles, share the same passion for the sport, adding much needed support for such events.
“PROTON alone cannot promote motorsports in the country and we are much appreciative of the support given by Hartge. We also hope that this will encourage other companies – both within and outside the automotive industry – to come in with us for similar events in the future. The government has invested a lot in motorsports, and now it is up to the private sector to take it to another level,” said Tengku Djan.
The second day of the Street Fest will see round three of the PanGlobal F1 Driver Search that is open to public and feature a workshop and briefing session by ex-F1 driver Alex Yoong.
The PROTON Edar Street Fest was conceived partly to promote motorsports in the country, but is also a vehicle that PROTON uses to promote its involvement in motorsports, and the technology used to develop existing and future models, in partnership with R3. This will be the second Street Fest following successful inaugural effort in Danga Bay, Johor last April.