After a five-year hiatus, Proton’s official team, Proton R3 returned to compete in the Sepang 1000KM 2024 race in the Malaysian Touring Car (MTC) category.
This marks the first time Proton has raced using the S70 R3 vehicle since the launch of this C-segment sedan on November 28, 2023.
The race, which lasted for 181 laps, saw the Proton R3 team struggling with difficulties as car #81 was forced to retire as early as the 8th lap.
Another S70 car, numbered 82 and driven by Ariff Azmi and Alister Yoong, faced technical issues that caused them to lose over 40 minutes.
Despite the challenges faced, the Proton R3 team successfully completed the race, finishing in fifth place in the MTC class.
Roslan Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of Proton Edar, stated, “While we aimed for another overall victory, the Proton R3 team is aware of the task of completing a brand-new racing vehicle to compete against teams that have been racing for the past three years.”
He further explained that the data and racing experiences gathered throughout the weekend would serve as the foundation for R3 to begin preparations for the 2025 racing season.
In positive news, in conjunction with the KLIMS 2024 event, Proton will also showcase vehicle #82 in the same condition as it finished the S1K race.
The Proton R3 racing division has announced the four drivers who will pilot two Proton S70 R3 vehicles for the Sepang 1000KM endurance race next month.
Car number 81 will be driven by the duo of Syafiq Ali and Fahrizal Hasan, while car number 82 will feature young drivers Alister Yoong and Ariff Azmi.
The pairings were selected based on their respective experiences in motorsport.
Syafiq Ali holds the record for the most individual wins in the history of the Sepang 1000KM race and has secured three podium finishes with Proton R3. Fahrizal Hasan has a long history of success in high-performance car racing, winning his class twice in the 12-Hour Sepang race.
Car number 82 features the youngest driving pair in Proton R3’s history, both of whom are products of the Axle Sports Academy, run by Alex Yoong, Malaysia’s only Formula 1 driver.
Twenty-one-year-old Alister Yoong has accumulated significant experience in single-seater racing, while 18-year-old Ariff Azmi is a karting champion who competed alongside Alister in last year’s 1000KM race.
Additionally, Proton R3 unveiled the actual race car, the Proton S70 R3, which will be used in the upcoming endurance race.
According to Roslan Abdullah, Deputy CEO of Proton, “Motorsport is a core component of Proton’s DNA, and our heritage in competitive racing began with the first Proton Saga.”
“Although we have not competed in the Sepang 1000KM for the past three years, the Proton R3 team has kept pace with the latest developments in the racing industry, resulting in rapid advancements in the race car just a year after the Proton S70’s launch.”
“The Proton R3 team has a long history of promoting young driver careers and enhancing their profiles through collaboration. We are excited to work with this talented driving team this year, which gives us the best chance to claim the title and bolster PROTON’s record as the most successful brand in the history of the Sepang 1000KM,” Roslan Abdullah added.
Proton through its motorsports division Proton R3, has just announced the lineup of drivers who will pilot the latest S70 R3 vehicle at the Sepang 1000KM (S1K) race next month.
At the same time, media representatives were introduced to the new race car that will be used by the Proton R3 team.
Here are five things you should know about the Proton S70 R3:
Still using the Campro engine
As previously reported, the Proton S70 R3 will not compete with the 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo engine.
Instead, it will utilize the long-standing Campro S4PH 1.6-liter engine, which has been in use since Proton R3’s involvement in the S1K with vehicles like the Preve, Suprima S, Iriz, Saga, and Satria Neo.
While Proton has not disclosed the exact specifications of this vehicle, earlier reports suggest that the S4PH engine fitted in the Saga and Iriz can produce over 200 hp!
Why not use the original S70 engine or removing the turbo?
Proton is participating in the S1K race in the MTC category, which allows the use of different engines from the same manufacturer.
This means that Proton can save on development costs by referring to data obtained from previous races for this new vehicle.
If they were to use the original engine, Proton would require more time to gather the necessary data. The decision to remove the turbo from the original S70 engine was also deemed inefficient; thus, it is better for Proton to stick with the proven Campro engine, which has already won five S1K championships.
For S70 fans, there’s no need to worry, as Proton has revealed plans to join the race next year using a street-spec Proton S70.
What’s different about the S70 R3?
Proton has added a front splitter, a rear spoiler, and 15-inch rims wrapped in 195/55 R15 tires.
Essentially, the suspension configuration of the S70 remains the same as the street model, compliant with regulations, but it has been enhanced with a set of dampers more suitable for racing.
A cabin loaded with racing equipments
In the cabin area, all unnecessary equipment has been removed, and even the door panels have been replaced.
What remains are Recaro racing seats, an AP Racing pedal box, a Motec display screen, a manual gear knob, and the mandatory safety cage.
Will there be a street version of the S70 R3?
Proton has previously revealed plans to produce a road version of the S70 R3, equipped with high-performance upgrades for public sale.
While it may not be available in the near future, the image gallery below allows you to imagine what the R3 variant of the S70 might look like on the road.
Will it have specifications similar to the S70 race car? As a Proton fan, we hope it’s not just a cosmetic change.
Proton seems to be ready to shake up the Sepang International Circuit this year with its all-new race car, the Proton S70 R3.
Based on a video uploaded, the sedan was undergoing testing at the Proton Shah Alam circuit with the participation of Proton’s Deputy CEO, Roslan Abdullah.
At this time, Proton has not disclosed detailed specifications of the S70 race car.
However, based on the high engine roar of the S70 during testing on the large dyno machine, it is highly likely that the sedan retains the naturally aspirated Campro 1.6-liter engine used in previous Proton race cars.
In comparison to the previously revealed S70 R3 model, the S70 R3 race car comes with a larger rear spoiler, accompanied by Raxer Wheels wrapped in Hankook Ventus TD tires.
Furthermore, the S70 race car is equipped with various racing equipment such as racing seats, safety cage, Motec instrument display, and much more.
The last time Proton participated in the S1K race was in 2019, so what are your expectations for the actual performance of this Proton S70 R3?
Let’s all witness its appearance at the Sepang International Circuit together.
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