12 teams to take part in auto racing c'ship

12 teams to take part in auto racing c'ship

JAKARTA (JP): Twelve teams have confirmed their participation
for the opening of the national Formula Asia auto racing
championship series on May 3 at Sentul circuit in Bogor, West
Java, the race coordinator said yesterday.

Chandra Alim said teams would announce their drivers in the
near future.

Humpuss, Djarum, Panutan, Prima Jasa, Matari and Star Mild,
are among the teams to compete in the opening race, he added.

Since its inception in 1994, the championship has served as a
qualifying event for the international Formula Asia series. Only
winners and runner-ups of each leg are eligible for the
international race.

Chandra said the organizers had signed a sponsorship deal with
tobacco giant Gudang Garam to stage all four legs of the series
at Sentul.

Subsequent races are scheduled on June 14, Aug. 2 and Oct. 11.

The circuit's president director Tinton Suprapto said that the
national auto racing championship would go on despite the
country's deepening economic crisis.

"Auto racing is the sport most adversely affected by the
financial crisis because spare parts and maintenance expenses are
paid in U.S. dollars. But we cannot just stop it," he said.

"We have taken this sport seriously as we bid to produce
Formula One drivers and to host the world's most prestigious
race," added the veteran driver.

Organizers will add a fun race to the national Formula Asia
championship opener. Several cabinet ministers, businesspeople
and celebrities are expected to join the Timor One Make Race, in
which they will pit their driving skills in Timor cars. (emf)