Auto sports still not on right track: Seminar<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A lack of cooperation between the government,
\nthe private sector and the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) has
\nbeen pinpointed as the main factor behind the sluggish
\ndevelopment of automobile and motorbike racing in the country.<\/p>\n
The conclusion was made at a one-day seminar titled the Future
\nof Automotive Sports in Indonesia held on Tuesday at the Hotel
\nMulia Senayan. The seminar was sponsored by Motor magazine, and
\nOtomotif and Motor Plus tabloids.<\/p>\n
One of the speakers, Agus Langgeng, told the audience that
\nsome of Indonesia's professional drivers and riders were only
\nsuccessful because they received financial assistance from their
\nfamilies.<\/p>\n
\"There is still nepotism in automotive sports, because it's
\nquite impossible for a young rider from an ordinary family to
\nbecome involved in the sport. If one of his parents is involved
\nin the sport, he will have easier access,\" said Agus, who is also
\nchief editor of Motor and Otomotif and deputy chief editor of
\nMotor Plus.<\/p>\n
Agus named Formula 3000 driver Ananda Mikola, son of former
\nautomotive sportsman Tinton Suprapto, as someone who had
\ndeveloped a successful career in Italy. He also named Bagoes
\nHermanto, who drives in the Formula Palmer Audi team, and Arya
\nSetyaki of the Formula Australia team.<\/p>\n
Agus said IMI might set up a training center for young drivers
\nto provide technical skills, and also help with their physical
\ncondition ahead of international competitions ranging from go-
\nkart, Formula Asia, European F-3, Formula 3000 and Formula I.<\/p>\n
He also urged the government to contribute to the development
\nof the sports.<\/p>\n
\"The government could give its support by ordering state-owned
\nPertamina to sponsor an automotive team and by also urging huge
\ncigarette companies to provide financial support,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Minister of Transportation Giri R. Soeseno told the audience
\nthat IMI should include activities other than professional races
\nin its brief.<\/p>\n
\"IMI should also focus its attention on automotive and
\nmotorbike sports as fun events and vehicle modification events.
\nStaging fun sports, such as a fun motor rally, will boost tourism
\nin the country. By running automotive modification events, which
\nhave boomed recently, IMI can also attract attention from
\nautomotive accessory dealers,\" said Giri, who chaired IMI in the
\nlate 1980s.<\/p>\n
Giri said he hoped such activities would inspire people to
\nstudy automotive components either for the benefit of sports or
\ncommercial efforts.<\/p>\n
At the seminar, Giri presented a posthumous award to the
\nfamily of go-kart driver Hengky Iriawan, who was killed in an
\naccident at the Ipoh circuit in Malaysia in 1972, and to motor
\nracer Saksono Sosroatmodjo, who died in an accident in Prague
\nduring an official practice session in 1972. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/auto-sports-still-not-on-right-track-seminar-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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