Proton

coxmattycox · 25 May 2003, 14:01 (Ref:609473)

So far this year Proton have diserpointed me, i was expecting more.
they just dont look 'quick'
dose any one no what department it is in??
EG
engine aurodynamics brakes?/

?

**Craig** · 25 May 2003, 14:13 (Ref:609480)

Mainly money. They don't have the best platform to work from to start with so a large amount of money is needed to develop the car. Also the team manager of last year has now gone back to Asia and a new man has taken over which cannot help in the least.

speedy king · 25 May 2003, 15:50 (Ref:609560)

The Thruxton times were very dissapointing. Proton said they would be a suprise at Thruxton, they have definately delivered that suprise!

Reido Rules · 25 May 2003, 16:39 (Ref:609608)

Having called them dissapionting, I have to say that they were able to mix it with MG at Brands, if anything, that tells, me MG have been grately dissapointing.

**Craig** · 25 May 2003, 21:48 (Ref:609933)

I don't think anything that MG do compares with Protons qualifying session today. Bennett has a wheel fall off his car and fails to set a time, whilst Leslie loses his times after his car is found to be underweight! They will start 15th and 16th!

kykiske · 25 May 2003, 22:11 (Ref:609950)

Proton choose the wrong car. As sadly i feel did
MG

If TOCA allow small cars such as the 307 and Civic-R then the big ones are always going to struggle

**touringlegend** · 25 May 2003, 22:48 (Ref:609970)

Both MG and Proton want to be in the championship - MG certainly doesn't have any other suitable (smaller model) and I don't think Proton does. The trouble with Proton is their budget - it's small and as has been said it was hardly a brilliant car to base a Touring car on to start with.

kykiske · 26 May 2003, 10:17 (Ref:610278)

Surely MG could have chose the ZR?

Dont get me wrong i like my tourers big, but it seems "small car=competitive car" these days in the BTCC

**touringlegend** · 26 May 2003, 10:49 (Ref:610289)

I doubt the ZR would be a sufficient sized car for the BTCC in terms of the length.

Hobson · 26 May 2003, 11:27 (Ref:610318)

Quote:

Originally posted by kykiske
...it seems "small car=competitive car" these days in the BTCC

I wouldn't say that the Astra Coupe is small, and thats competitive. They would have used the Corsa if 'small car=competitive car'. The only small car which is competitive is the Civic.

touringcarnut · 26 May 2003, 13:35 (Ref:610439)

Quote:

Originally posted by Hobson
The only small car which is competitive is the Civic.

And that almost topples over if it touchs the curbs....

Sayinmg that, the proton always looks too big, its like the 406, it seems like the drivers have to "place it" when going around the corners more than the Astras or Hondas.

Tim.Lad · 26 May 2003, 21:27 (Ref:610856)

The protons where suffering from bad understear all weekend especialy in the complex ...

KPC · 28 May 2003, 10:48 (Ref:612304)

The 406 was undoubtedly too big. But I was surprised the first time I pulled up beside a Civic in a car park.... they're bigger than a Cavalier. These so-called smaller cars look small to us as they have always been so, but it's perspective. The new generations are quite a size when you actually compare them to an average saloon. I don't therefore think the Impian is that big. The ZS is quite a large car as I discovered when I saw one parked up along side an old-style Vectra.

So I think that the old rules we apply to size, insomuch as a car is a hatchback or saloon, no longer applies. And remember what Volvo achieved with the estate....

gttouring · 4 Jun 2003, 03:58 (Ref:619994)

why the new rules anyway again? was it cost and what not? Touring cars I 'd prefer to see with 4 doors, I like the astra coupe, but the MG is right on...Why use the Si when a 4 door civic or the accord should be used, and proton-aren't they using the Bora type car? I'd think VW could offer more

AdamED · 4 Jun 2003, 08:30 (Ref:620129)

one thing about the civic and the 307 they may be slightly smaller than say the astra mg and proton. But both the civic and and 307 are built very tall

ADnet · 5 Jun 2003, 10:30 (Ref:621588)

the protons are still developing during the races according to their media. - poor really

**touringlegend** · 5 Jun 2003, 10:43 (Ref:621601)

Don't have much option do they though?

kmchow · 5 Jun 2003, 18:48 (Ref:622116)

Quote:

Originally posted by gttouring
why the new rules anyway again? was it cost and what not?

Yep, it had 99% to do with spiraling costs. The remaining 1% had to do with the supposed lack of exciting race. That's my take.

Quote:

Touring cars I 'd prefer to see with 4 doors, I like the astra coupe, but the MG is right on...

Talk about a stubborn 4 door door sedan supporting guy.

I TOTALLY SHARE YOU OPINION!

Quote:

Why use the Si when a 4 door civic or the accord should be used, and proton-aren't they using the Bora type car? I'd think VW could offer more

In Honda's case, I think they wanted to really get a lot of PR for their Si and what better way than to practically make it their global touring car entry!

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