FIA drops RI's bid for Formula One race<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia looks certain to lose its bid to bring
\na prestigious Formula One grand prix race to the Sentul circuit
\nnext year, after the International Automobile Federation (FIA)
\nexcluded it from the 1996 provisional calendar on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The FIA announced that it would return to its traditional 16-
\nrace format, one fewer than this season, without even naming
\nIndonesia as a candidate for the auto sporting extravaganza.<\/p>\n
Reuters reported that the world motor body dropped the
\nEuropean Grand Prix in Nuerburgring, Germany, and has yet to give
\na definite go-ahead to two races in Estoril, Portugal, and in
\nBuenos Aires, Argentina, pending a decision at an FIA World
\nCouncil meeting on Dec. 8.<\/p>\n
No officials of the Indonesian Motor Association could be
\nreached yesterday for comment on the FIA announcement.<\/p>\n
The FIA had earlier listed Indonesia in the 16th place of the
\nproposed grand prix calendar, encouraging Indonesia's hopes of
\nbecoming the second Asian country to play host to the lucrative
\nrace, after Japan.<\/p>\n
Criticism mounted, however, as hosting the race would have
\nrequired the spending of no less than Rp 20 billion (US$9
\nmillion). The critics worried about financial shortcomings due to
\nthe late schedule. They said that the race would lack
\nsponsorship, since a winner is always decided as early as two or
\nthree before the end of the season.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian association will have its busiest calendar next
\nseason, when the country hosts three world automotive races: the
\n500cc Grand Prix at Sentul, West Java, on April 7, the Indonesian
\nRally in Medan, North Sumatra, from May 10 to May 12, and the
\nworld Superbike championship, also at Sentul, in October.<\/p>\n
National automotive sports figure, Tinton Suprapto, said
\nearlier that he fully support the bid, noting that the Formula
\nOne championship would lift Indonesia's pride. Tinton, the
\nmanaging director of the Sentul circuit, pledged to help the
\norganizers collect funds. (amd)<\/p>",
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