Tony crashes but rateins rally title<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A last-ditch collision cost Tony Hardianto a
\nseason-ending victory in Bandar Lampung Sunday, but it did not
\ncost him his national rally championship throne.<\/p>\n
Pacesetter Tony was on the way to his second win of the year
\nwhen his speeding Subaru Impreza smashed into a ditch on the 15th
\nand last special stage of Sunday's race at Way Berulu. The
\naccident enabled Arief Indiarto, who had been trailing Tony since
\nthe outset on Saturday, to clinch the title in two hours, two
\nminutes and seven seconds.<\/p>\n
Okky Harwanto finished second in 2:02:37, ahead of Ricardo
\nGelael who completed the 180-kilometer course in 2:02:51.<\/p>\n
The victory boosted Arief's championship ranking points to 34,
\nstill a far cry from threatening Tony's 45 points.<\/p>\n
Tony and his co-driver Antony Sarwono had their second
\nsuccessive championship title assured Saturday when their closest
\nrivals, Hutomo Mandala Putra and his co-driver Jeffry, retired in
\nthe second stage with engine trouble.<\/p>\n
Hutomo, President Soeharto's youngest son, had to be content
\nwith the overall runner-up spot behind Tony on 42.5, with Arief
\nfinishing third.<\/p>\n
Arief, the 1990 national champion, insisted that his first win
\nof the year was just a matter of luck. "Had Tony cleared the
\nfinal stage, I would have missed out on the top honor," he said.<\/p>\n
Ricardo, Hutomo's Gudang Garam Goro teammate, admitted the
\nexceptional challenges he dealt with during the final quarter of
\nthe four-leg championship series. "I found it difficult to
\ncontrol my car on such a bumpy gravel track," said Ricardo.<\/p>\n
Only nine of the 20 drivers registered for the race crossed
\nthe finish line on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Overall champion Tony took home a Timor car, a product of
\nHutomo's national automotive company. (amd)<\/p>",
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