The Satria Neo S2000 start attract the attention in New Caledonia

APRC champion Alister McRae will lead Proton's charge alongside Swedish driver P.G. Andersson, who will be driving in the island rally for the first time in the Satria Neo S2000. Based in Noumea on Grande Terre, the largest island in New Caledonia, the rally moves through lush vegetation and farming plains. Rally New Caledonia will be contested over a distance of 252.82km, covering 19 special stages. Today's opening stage consists of four special stages, while tomorrow, the teams will take on another nine special stages before the final day's six special stages, including the longest which is a 24.41km charge through Pirogues Almameto. As defending champion, McRae however, will again be in the unenviable position of having to start the rally first, clearing the road for the other drivers behind. "Winning the championship last year means I am first on the road on all the rounds this year and that was quite a disadvantage in the first round in New Zealand, but I don't think it will be so much in New Caledonia. "The rain is likely to have washed away much of the loose gravel before we get there and it's possible running at the front might even give us a small advantage," said an optimistic McRae. "We led this rally last season and it's definitely one that I enjoy." Rally New Caledonia offers a good mix of terrain with really wide and fast roads as well as twisting and tight sections which favour the Satria Neo S2000. Andersson will certainly be out to underline this point as he tries to make up for the disappointment which cost him victory in the opening round of the championship in New Zealand last month. Comfortably setting fastest times en route to winning 11 of the 16 special stages in New Zealand, Andersson had endured a puncture which cost him the victory. "One thing for sure is, I'm starting this event as I start every event -- to win. "I have never been to this rally before, so it's always exciting to try some new roads." Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood, the head of Proton Motorsports, said: "The Satria Neo S2000 was clearly the fastest in New Zealand and what was equally exciting was the way Andersson came back into contention from his puncture. "In doing this, we have demonstrated the Satria Neo S2000 is able to match the speed of the Skoda and, with better luck, it should be able to spring some surprises in New Caledonia." Read more