Although there is still three rounds to run this year, APRC 2009 is already on the radar of some manufacturers, with reports Malaysian car builder Proton is preparing a Super 2000 Satria for next years series.
We reported earlier this year that an S2000 version of the Satria was under development by Mellors Elliot Motorsport (MEM) in England, the team who ran Proton’s APRC and PWRC teams.
It’s now understood the new car has completed FIA homologation, with MEM employing former Mitsubishi and Hyundai WRC driver Alister McRae to test and develop the car. And McRae has been quoted in Autosport (UK), saying his involvement may extend to an APRC campaign next year.
“I’ve been talking to Chris Mellors for a while about this. It’s an exciting project, it’ll be good to help develop the car and an APRC programme makes sense when I’m in Australia. I’m on the right side of the world.”
There’s no official word from either Proton, nor MEM, but we’ll bring you more information as it becomes available. And for more photos of the S2000 Satria, check out paultan.org.
Sources: rallybuzz and paultan.org.