TEAM R3 is back with four drivers ready to race Proton's latest sports machine in hopes of a record sixth victory.

Representing the national automaker's participation in the upcoming 2024 Sepang 1000km Endurance Race (S1K) is Syafiq Ali and Fahrizal Hasan in car #81 and the pairing of Alister Yoong and Ariff Azmi in car #82.

The teams offer a mix of both experience and youth. Car 81 driver Syafiq Ali has the most individual wins in the history of the S1K race while standing on the top step of the podium three times with Team Proton R3. His co-driver, Fahrizal Hasan, has a long history of success in sportscar racing and also won his class twice in the Sepang 12-hour race.  

Drivers of car 82, meanwhile, are the youngest pairing in the history of Team Proton R3. 21-year old Alister Yoong has a lot of accumulated experience in single seater racing both in and out of the cars, while 18-year old Ariff Azmi is a multiple karting champion.

The young drivers competed in the 1000km race last year and are products of Axle Sports Academy, which is run by Alex Yoong who is both Malaysia’s only Formula 1 driver and father to Alister.

All of them will be racing in the new Proton S70 R3 which will be competing for the first time at the race in November. 

“Motorsports is a major component of Proton’s DNA and our competition heritage in races and rallies stretches back to the very first Proton Saga. Although we have not competed at the S1K in the last three years, Team Proton R3 has kept up with the latest developments in the racing industry while also consulting closely with their colleagues from the vehicle engineering division. 

"The result has been the speedy development of our new racing car, which will race just one year after the Proton S70 was launched,” said Proton deputy chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah.

“Team Proton R3 has a long history of helping to promote the careers of young drivers and giving their profiles a boost by driving with the team. We are excited to be working with such a talented driving team this year that offers us the best chance of lifting the title and adding to Proton’s record of being the most successful brand in the history of the Sepang 1000km,” added Roslan.