Bukit Jalil - Students from four schools around Malaysia were captivated by the roar and excitement of the motorsports demonstrations at PROTON’s POWER OF 1 mega event.

132 students and 24 teachers from schools adopted by PROTON under the PINTAR Program, namely SK Peniang Sari (Pagoh, Johor), SK PROTON City (Tanjung Malim, Perak), SK Tanah Puteh (Pekan, Pahang) and SK Kuala Balah (Jeli, Kelantan), were given a special treat yesterday, visiting the five-day showcase organized by the national car maker as part of PROTON’s ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.

The POWER OF 1 event is an extensive event to showcase PROTON’s milestones, commemorating its technology advancements, engineering achievements, innovations and motorsports success. The special tour provided by PROTON is intended to provide a different educational exposure and experience to the PINTAR School students and teachers involved.

“As this event is organized to engage the Malaysian public, and to give them the opportunity to understand PROTON as the national automotive manufacturer and the work that is put into building our cars, we wanted to include our adopted schools such that they share in the experience as well,” said PROTON Group Managing Director Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

“PROTON has a significant role in nation building as we facilitate opportunities for development and innovation. The POWER OF 1 event allows us to bring the PROTON brand closer to Malaysians, our most important stakeholders and we believe that younger generation of Malaysians should not be excluded from this.

This is the reason why PROTON chooses to engage the youth community as they are Malaysia’s next generation. I hope that this will instill in them a stronger sense of national pride, witnessing for themselves the capabilities and progress of a Malaysian company and brand.”

“This study trip will definitely be a treat for them and I’m sure they will remember this for a long time to come,” he added enthusiastically.

Upon arrival at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium carpark where the event is being held, the students and teachers were given a guided tour of the venue and its activities.

Starting at the Engineering and Technology showcase which highlighted the processes of developing a car - from conceptualization and modeling to safety and engine innovations, they were given insights into technology and expertise utilised in the development of PROTON’s upcoming global car, the P3-21A.

The tour also showed them the various Proton car models, R3 components and tuned cars, as well as Lotus’ range of cars.

The highlight of their tour was front row seats at track side of the purpose built mini-circuit at the venue. They were feted to performances by R3 engineers in the Satria Neo R3 and the P3-21a, before Chinese F1 driver Tung Ho-Pin roared out of the garage in his 2012 Lotus F1 car.

Burning up the track with his 2.4 ltr V8 RS27 powered car, the roar of the engine mesmerized the young audience with its speed, power and numerous tyre-burnouts.

Not to be out done, Asia Pacific Rally Champion (APRC) driver Alister McRae took the track waving to the crowd before wow-ing the students with his high speed slalom performance. Students and teachers from the four schools were also treated to a private autograph session with the two champions, along with Malaysia’s ‘Prince of Drift’, Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel.

“We are delighted to be able to contribute to these students’ learning experience beyond the walls of the class room,” said PROTON’s Head of Group Communications Izad Haji Raya.

“This is a unique opportunity for us to introduce them to the automotive industry especially PROTON being the national automotive manufacturer. This certainly helps us build a strong brand affiliation with them from a young age.

We believe that this school outing will not only be educational and exciting for them, but it will also inspire them in their pursuit of academic success,” he added.

This special trip for the students and teachers also saw them visit PROTON’s main plant in Shah Alam, where they were given a guided tour, and getting a first-hand view of PROTON’s manufacturing and assembly processes.

Their tour culminated with a private luncheon at PROTON’s Center of Excellence hosted by Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin and the senior management of PROTON. Their tour continues tomorrow as they will visit the National Museum and National Mosque before drawing their visit to a close.

The POWER OF 1 is PROTON’s largest outdoor showcase ever organised to date. Held from 14 to 18 March 2012, the event is spread over an area of 35,000sqm at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium’s Car Park A, B and C which has been transformed to accommodate a technology exhibition, sales and promotion area, as well as a mini circuit, inviting visitors to experience the many different facets of PROTON, its progress and development over the last 27 years.