Proton Cars Australia has announced it will launch an outright assault on the Australian Rally Championship in 2002 in the new Prototype 4WD class announced by the Australian Rally Commission.

Proton has contracted a leading rally team to develop and run a turbo 4WD version of the newly introduced Proton Waja in 2002 and beyond.

According to Proton Cars Australia¹s John Startari the positive changes announced by ARCom have allowed Proton the chance to economically campaign an outright car in the Australian Championship.

"We welcome the opportunity to be able to enter the top level of Australian rallying and we¹re pleased to be able to support these new initiatives," said Mr Startari.

"Clearly Proton was unable to compete in the top level of rallying under the existing rules but now we have a relatively economical way to showcase our products in the toughest form of motorsport around," he said.

"The team we have contracted will run a single Waja prototype and a Super 1600 Proton Satria in 2002 with a second 4WD turbo Waja for 2003," he added.

Details of the team and drivers will be revealed at a media launch planned for early 2002.

Proton will continue to focus on junior driver development by once again running the one make Proton Rally Trophy Series in 2002.

The one-make series is run in conjunction with the Australian Rally Super Series using Proton Satria GL hatches with only safety modifications.

The series will offer an exciting prize for the winner with regulations for the 2002 series will be released shortly.

The Waja is the first car designed and built by Proton using its extensive research and development resources including Proton subsidiary Lotus.

Several Waja turbo four wheel drive prototypes have already been built for motorsport evaluation including a tarmac version which recently took second place in a 12 hour race at the Sepang Grand Prix circuit.