GUY Wilks is to lead Proton's assault on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Darlington's Wilks will drive the Proton Satria Neo Super 2000 - designed and built by British team Mellors Elliot Motorsport and which will contest all seven remaining rounds of the 2009 IRC.

A full two-car programme is planned for 2010.

Double British champion Wilks and co-driver Phil Pugh will start with the Belgium Ypres Rally next weekend.

Dato' Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, Managing Director of Proton Holdings Bhd, said: "We are very excited to have Guy Wilks driving for Proton in the IRC.

"After his stunning performance in the recent Pirelli Rally, we are very positive about our capabilities to put up a strong challenge.

"MEM has done a great job with the Proton Satria Neo S2000 and we hope to continue improving as the year progresses."

Wilks, 28, runner-up in the 2005 Junior World Rally Championship, said: "This is fantastic news and a fantastic opportunity. Proton and MEM are highly ambitious but they are also very realistic as newcomers to the IRC.

"We need to make progress on every round and be ready to fight for the championship in 2010."