PROTON keen on IRC customers for 2012

PROTON is working on plans for customers to use its Satria Neo Super 2000s in next year’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

With the factory team focusing on other international rally championships in 2012, PROTON Motorsports’ boss Chris Mellors still hopes the firm will be represented in the all-action IRC, which it has contested in a works capacity since 2009.

“We have competed in the IRC for the past few years and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Eurosport and the IRC for providing a fantastic series,” said Mellors. “PROTON is taking a new direction for 2012, but we are still looking at the potential for running customer cars in the IRC.”

The 2012 IRC gets underway on Sata Rallye Açores from 23-25 February. Last week ŠKODA Motorsport outlined its commitment to the IRC for a fourth successive year.