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)