RI attracts Australian racing heavyweights<\/p>\n
By Alexander Corne<\/p>\n
Indonesia's growing status in world motorsport could draw in
\nAustralian motor racing talent.<\/p>\n
Former Formula 1 driver and ex-world champion Alan Jones who
\nruns a V8 sedan touring car team said Australian racers could
\nlook at staging events in Asia, as the region comes of age as a
\nmotorsport venue.<\/p>\n
This interest is partly fueled by this years' Australian ban
\non cigarette sponsorship in sport. This has financially crippled
\nsome motor racing teams, who are considering involvement in
\nracing in the Asia region.<\/p>\n
High levels of cigarette sponsorship in Asia could offer
\nAustralian racers just such an outlet for their talent.<\/p>\n
Indonesia and Malaysia are both in the running to host an
\nAsian Grand Prix for cars, Indonesia's chances having risen with
\nthe successful running of the motorcycle Grand Prix at Sentul in
\nMarch.<\/p>\n
Jones said Australian motorsport technology and expertise
\ncould be used in Indonesia to boost local teams or to provide
\ncompetition for them. He said his team had not yet given
\nIndonesia any serious thought, but he said he would look at any
\nfeasible option.<\/p>\n
In Australia, two V8 touring car teams have been reduced to
\none car for the 1996 season. The absence of Peter Jackson and
\nWinfield cigarette sponsorships has forced one team to disband
\nand another to reduce its participation to one car.<\/p>\n
Jones said the end of cigarette sponsorship in Australia
\nthreatened the future of 5.0-liter V8 sedan racing as there were
\ninsufficient new sponsor avenues open to the teams.<\/p>\n
He said he thought banning cigarette advertising was a
\nmisguided attempt to stop people smoking for health reasons.<\/p>\n
He said cigarette companies in Asia might be very interested
\nin sponsoring Australian-style racing there, as it would promote
\nmotorsport in general.<\/p>\n
While Australia motorsport competitors are not allowed to
\ndisplay cigarette sponsorship, the international Formula One race
\nmeeting at Melbourne in March was liberally plastered with
\nadvertising billboards for Marlboro, Rothmans and Mild Seven. The
\nAustralian government granted an exception to the bans for
\ninternational events.<\/p>\n
Jones called this double standards, echoing the feeling of
\nseveral teams who have failed to replaced their cigarette
\nsponsorships.<\/p>\n
The 5.0-liter V8 sedan touring car championship is the most
\npopular in Australia, though it is facing a growing challenge
\nfrom the European oriented 2.0-liter Super Tourer sedan
\nchampionships.<\/p>\n
Several big name drivers have signed with the 2.0-liter racers
\nbut continue to campaign 5.0-liter cars. If the 5.0-liter series
\ndrops away, those drivers will be well placed to continue their
\ncareers.<\/p>",
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